On October 14, 2024, Prof. Wei Yang, Senior Associate Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, visited the School of Public Health at Nanchang University for academic exchange and was appointed as an Adjunct Professor.

The academic session was chaired by Prof. Lei Wu, Associate Dean of the School, and attended by faculty members and students. Prof. Yang introduced the ten essential public health functions and discussed the role of health surveillance in disease prevention and health promotion. He explained key concepts, classifications, and methodological approaches in surveillance systems.

Prof. Yang also reviewed several major U.S. health surveillance programs, including the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Using school nutrition programs as an example, he illustrated how surveillance data can inform public health interventions and improve health outcomes.

Drawing on his own research projects, Prof. Yang discussed strategies for integrating surveillance data into scientific research. He shared practical insights into research design, implementation, and application, and emphasized the importance of teamwork and social responsibility in public health research. During the Q&A session, he engaged with students and encouraged them to translate research ideas into practice.

Following the lecture, faculty representatives met with Prof. Yang to discuss future collaboration. The School and Prof. Yang signed a Letter of Intent for cooperation under the 2025 Innovative Talent International Cooperation Training Project, and he was formally presented with a certificate of appointment as Adjunct Professor.

Prof. Yang also exchanged views with faculty and students on opportunities for international collaboration, including visiting programs, joint research, and academic exchanges. The visit further strengthened academic ties and laid the groundwork for continued cooperation between the two institutions.