The Philippine Qihuang Traditional Chinese Medicine College held its first graduation ceremony in Manila on October 23, marking a significant milestone in the country’s healthcare education. A total of 12 graduates successfully earned their licenses in traditional Chinese medicine.
Dr. Zheng Qiming, Executive Dean of the college, shared with us that among the graduates, seven received licenses in acupuncture, three in acupuncture practices, and two became licensed herbal pharmacists.
During the ceremony, Zhou Zhiyong, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, offered his heartfelt congratulations to the graduates. He emphasized the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine in areas such as disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, calling it a treasure of Chinese civilization. Zhou encouraged the graduates to leverage these strengths to contribute more significantly to the health of the Filipino people.
Dr. Paulyn Ubial, former Secretary of Health and Honorary Dean of the Philippine Qihuang Traditional Chinese Medicine College, remarked on the graduation of the first cohort of traditional medicine professionals as a historic event for the Philippines. She expressed hope that this milestone would spark greater interest in traditional Chinese medicine and ultimately integrate it into the national healthcare system.
In his address, Dr. Zheng expressed high expectations for the graduates, emphasizing the need for solid professional knowledge coupled with cross-cultural communication skills. He underscored the importance of integrating traditional Chinese medicine with the local healthcare system to provide comprehensive and effective medical services to the community.
Established in October 2021, the Philippine Qihuang Traditional Chinese Medicine College was founded by the China-Philippines Traditional Chinese Medicine Center. As a training base for the Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s “Going Global” initiative, the college aims to cultivate qualified local practitioners, acupuncturists, and herbal pharmacists over a course of three to five years, adhering to Philippine traditional medicine guidelines.
