UKZN and Wenzhou Medical University Solidify Historic China-Africa Eye Health Collaboration

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A visionary partnership between the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and Wenzhou Medical University has been formalised through the China-Africa Eye Health Collaboration - an initiative aimed at advancing eye health, education, and research across Africa.

This collaboration follows a series of strategic engagements between the institutions, reflecting a shared commitment to global health equity and sustainable development in vision care. In early 2025, a high-level Wenzhou delegation visited UKZN to explore collaboration. In June, a UKZN delegation travelled to Xi’an and Wenzhou, China, to formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on China-Africa Eye Health Cooperation.

The UKZN delegation included Professor Khathutshelo Percy Mashige, Dean and Head of the School of Health Sciences and CEO of the African Vision Research Institute (AVRI); Professor Kovin Naidoo, Honorary Professor in Optometry and AVRI Executive Member; Dr Nombuso Mathe, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology; and Dr Naimah Ebrahim Khan, Academic Leader of the Discipline of Optometry.

The MoU was signed as part of the prestigious Vision China 2025 International Conference on Eye Health Innovation and Development in Xi’an, which brought together policy-makers, researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders to advance global eye health innovation.

Spearheaded by the AVRI - a centre of excellence based within UKZN’s Discipline of Optometry - the China-Africa Eye Health Collaboration is designed to address the pressing challenges in eye health systems across Africa. Its objectives include:

•    Promoting bilateral academic exchange and collaborative research

•    Enhance training and capacity building for eye care professionals

•    Support the adoption of innovative technologies in clinical practice and education

•    Increase access to affordable, high-quality eye care services in underserved communities

A highlight of the visit to the EyeValley in Wenzhou was that all four UKZN staff members were appointed as Visiting Professors at Wenzhou Medical University.

The MoU comes at a critical time, given the rising burden of preventable visual impairment and uncorrected refractive errors across Africa. The partnership leverages both institutions’ strengths in clinical practice, academia, and technology to co-create solutions tailored to African contexts, while contributing to global vision science.

At the signing ceremony, Mashige said: “This partnership is more than symbolic - it is a strategic alliance grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision for improved eye health. Together, we are building a future where knowledge, resources, and innovation are shared for the benefit of all.”

Naidoo, a global public health optometry leader, noted that the collaboration aligns with broader international goals, including the World Health Organization’s SPECS 2030, which advocates for integrated, people-centred eye care services.

Ebrahim Khan highlighted the potential of such academic collaborations to transform education, improve clinical training, and shape a new generation of African optometrists:
“I’m grateful to be part of such a meaningful exchange. The ideas and partnerships formed here will ripple across borders, strengthening the future of eye health in Africa.”

Mathe echoed these sentiments, noting that interdisciplinary and international cooperation is essential to addressing the complex challenges facing ophthalmic care and eye health workforce development in low-resource settings.

The China-Africa Eye Health Collaboration affirms UKZN’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service, while contributing to both regional and global health agendas. It enhances the University’s international footprint and reinforces its role as a catalyst for impactful partnerships.

This milestone marks the start of a transformative journey, one that will elevate African optometry and ophthalmology, enrich academic knowledge, and improve the lives of millions through better vision and accessible eye care.

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photographs: Supplied