In October 2024, the Shenzhen-Almaty Joint Laboratory for Frontiers of Medical Science (salFMS) was officially launched. As part of this initiative, the SZU Medical School has established four collaborative projects focused on new drug development, with a total investment of 3 million yuan, involving four leading scholars, including Professor Li Fu.

 Group photo taken in August 2025

In early August 2025, the initiative also launched the International Academic Mobility Program for Young Scientists. Four joint principal investigators from Kazakhstan arrived at SZU for a 3-month research collaboration, including Dr. Alibek Ydyrys from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Dr. Mukhamedsadykova Aigerim from Kazakh National Medical University. On August 26, the visiting scholars presented their research projects from the Almaty laboratory to Professor Xingzhi Xu, Executive Dean of the SZU Medical School, and the joint principal investigators. In early October, postdoctoral researcher Syraiyl Sayagul and PhD student Marzhanay Ilesbek from the Ydyrys Laboratory at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University joined the program for a 1-month research exchange at SZU.

Final presentations and awarding of certificates

On November 14, the Kazakh principal investigators presented their research progress at a summary report meeting organized by the SZU Medical School, and Professor Xingzhi Xu awarded completion certificates to the visiting scholars in recognition of their contributions. To date, the collaboration has resulted in the publication of three co-authored papers (including one in an SCI Q1 journal, one in a CAS Q2 journal, and one in a CAS Q4 journal) and the joint supervision of two PhD students. This initiative has significantly expanded SZU’s academic innovation efforts and contributed to the city's biomedical development, while also providing strong support for China’s diplomatic engagement in Central Asia.