Islamabad: A rising number of Pakistani students are choosing China for medical education, drawn by world-class facilities, supportive policies and deepening academic cooperation between China and Pakistan.
Zahid Khan, a cardiology postgraduate student at Xinjiang Medical University, is a vivid example of this life-changing journey.“Everything here, the laboratories, hospitals, and professors, is truly fantastic,” Khan said in an interview with China Economic Net (CEN).
Khan first came to Xinjiang in 2013 to begin his undergraduate studies. After graduation, he worked in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic and later returned to China for advanced postgraduate training.
Khan is part of a large and growing community: nearly 29,000 Pakistani students are currently studying across China, and medicine remains the most popular field by far, accounting for 45% of the group.
As heart disease becomes increasingly common worldwide and in Pakistan, more students choose cardiology and clinical medicine to meet growing health care needs.Chinese hospitals provide systematic clinical training, full access to modern diagnostic tools, and consistent mentorship, advantages that directly strengthen students’ professional competence. “Whatever you need for your research, they provide more than you expect,” Khan said.
With sufficient resources and guidance, he has completed academic papers and thesis work independently.At the affiliated hospital of the university, Khan joins daily ward rounds, collaborates with his Chinese professors, and engages with patient care.
Though the work is intense, especially in cardiology, where patients often face critical conditions, the experience has shaped him into a more resilient and compassionate clinician. “You become stronger over time,” he said. “When you are in this field, you learn how to handle pressure and focus on helping patients.”
