From 18–20 June 2026, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMP) at Ho Chi Minh City successfully hosted the 16th ASEAN Medical Deans’ Summit (AMDS 2026) under the theme “Innovating Together: Driving Transformation in Medical Education and Health Care.” The Summit brought together nearly 100 delegates from 22 universities across 10 ASEAN countries, including university presidents, deans, medical education experts, faculty members, and students. As a flagship event of the ASEAN Medical Schools Network (AMSN), the Summit served as an important platform for member institutions to discuss internationalization in medical education, faculty development, digital transformation, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and regional research collaboration.
The Opening Ceremony was held at Windsor Plaza Hotel and featured welcome remarks by Prof. Dato’ Dr. Yang Faridah Abdul Aziz, President of AMSN, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Quoc Dat, President of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. The academic program included three plenary sessions featuring 13 presentations by international experts, as well as three group discussion sessions focused on developing priority action plans for the AMSN network in the coming year. In parallel, the Student Chapter program was organized with a variety of activities, including a student scientific conference, poster presentations, and cultural exchange programs among ASEAN medical students.
At the Closing Ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vuong Thi Ngoc Lan, Vice President of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, highlighted the key outcomes of AMDS 2026 and reaffirmed the commitment of AMSN member institutions to strengthening collaboration in medical education, research, and healthcare development across the region. The successful organization of AMDS 2026 further demonstrates the prestige, leadership, and regional influence of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City within the ASEAN medical education community, while also contributing to the growing international recognition of Vietnamese medical education.
On the third day of the Summit, delegates visited the UMP campus and participated in the Saigon Tour, providing an opportunity to explore the culture, history, and dynamic development of Ho Chi Minh City.