Chen Guoqiang, president of Hainan Medical University

"I come from humble beginnings. I was born and grew up in the countryside. I was not a straight-A student. But as long as you stick to your beliefs, with relentless efforts, you will make the impossible possible, and your dream will come true," said Chen Guoqiang, president of Hainan Medical University, at a ceremony on Sept 18 to mark the start of the academic year.

An expert in pathologic physiology and an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chen is known for his humor and frankness. He has served as president of Hainan Medical University since mid-September.

In the speech, which has gone viral online, Chen talked about how he failed the national college entrance examination   in 1979. He studied harder and passed the exam the next year, and was admitted to a medical school in Hengyang,  Hunan province.

In his sophomore year, Chen was distracted by detective novels. However, after listening to renowned Professor Wang Zhenyi, who had traveled from Shanghai to give nine lectures in a week, Chen changed his perspective.

"I didn't understand much of them (lectures), but I was deeply convinced by the powerful logic of medical science and  Professor Wang's charisma," Chen recalled. "I realized that there are still many scientific questions to be solved. So I made up my mind to become Professor Wang's student."

Tutored by Wang, Chen obtained his master's degree in 1985 and earned a doctorate in 1992.

He uses his own story to explain to students that good exam results don't necessarily equate to real talent, and hard work is what makes dreams come true.

Chen, 60, is still living his dream. He was vice-president of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and dean of its School of  Medicine. He said he moved from Shanghai to Hainan province to start a new chapter in his life.

Over the next 10 years, he plans to devote his life to the development of the 76-year-old Hainan Medical University, as well as medical services in Hainan.

"I not only aim to build up the strength of the university and create a new situation there, but I also want to cultivate  high-quality medical talent and aid the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port," Chen said.

Hainan Medical University has the largest international student population in the province. It initiated the Belt and Road Tropical Medical Alliance, which was established in 2018.

"As a primary hub along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Hainan is pioneering the country's high-level opening up. If our university improves overall educational quality and facilities, we will draw more international students from the Belt and Road partner countries, especially from Southeast Asia," Chen said.

He called for the faculty and students to take the initiative to make changes. "Only with changes can we break new ground, and only with changes can we improve ourselves, our future, our university, our country and even the world," he said.

chenbowen@chinadaily.com.cn

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