On the morning of June 22, 2023, the Memorandum of Cooperation signing ceremony of “Computational Neuroscience Joint Laboratory” was held in Binwen Campus, which is co-constructed by ZCMU and Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANU). The ceremony is attended by Ljupčo Kocarev, President of MANU; Feng Haicheng, President Assistant of MANU; Chen Zhong, President of ZCMU; Wu Chengliang, Vice President of ZCMU; Wang Hui, Executive Vice President of ZCMU Office of Academic Research; Wang Ying, Director of the International Relations Office of ZCMU; Wang Yi, Deputy Director of ZCMU Personnel Division, and Vladimir Papla from International Institute of Translational Neuroscience. Vice President Wu Chengliang hosted the ceremony.

On behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of North Macedonia, Ambassador Zhang Zuo congratulated the cooperation between the two sides. In his greeting video, he pointed out that the joint construction of the “Computational Neuroscience Joint Laboratory” and the related international cooperation, academic exchanges, and talent training based on the collaboration will inspire cultural and scientific communication and cultivate more friendship ambassadors who are familiar and kind with each other. He hoped that the two sides would take the chance of the 30th anniversary of China-North Macedonia diplomatic relations and make outstanding achievements in science and technology, medicine and humanities for the better benefit of the two countries and the people.

Chen Zhong emphasized that the collaborative establishment of the Laboratory would facilitate the harmonious integration of the traditional wisdom of Chinese medicine with cutting-edge advancements in computational neuroscience. This endeavor aims to provide fresh perspectives and methodologies for delving into the intricate relationship between the human body, the brain, and diseases. Chen Zhong envisions this collaboration as a stepping stone where both parties commit to principles of openness, mutual benefit, inheritance, and innovation. Together, they will forge a new era in the fusion of computational neuroscience and Chinese medicine while exerting more significant efforts to enhance cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two nations. Furthermore, they will strive to strengthen friendship and mutual trust between their people while making significant contributions to the well-being and health of humanity.

Ljupčo Kocarev provided an overview of the MANU, highlighting its historical development, scientific research capabilities, and collaborative projects. Drawing on the three philosophical dimensions of time, he expressed his aspirations for both sides to join hands, leverage their respective strengths, and make new contributions towards establishing a community with a shared future.

During the meeting, representatives Chen Zhong and Ljupčo Kocarev signed the Memorandum of Cooperation to establish the Computational Neuroscience Joint Laboratory.

Subsequently, Dean Ljupčo Kocarev’s team, Prof. Chen Zhong’s team, and Prof. Vladimir Papla’s team held an academic seminar combining online and offline formats to exchange research findings and discuss collaborative directions. As part of their visit, Ljupčo Kocarev and his team also toured the Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and the Zhejiang Chinese Medicine Museum, engaging in in-depth discussions with neurology and imaging medicine experts at the First Affiliated Hospital.