The University of Rehabilitation project is inaugurated on June 11 in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The University of Rehabilitation project was inaugurated on June 11 in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province during the ongoing Global Health Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia.

Liu Jiayi, Party secretary of Shandong province, Ma Xiaowei, head of the National Health Commission, Zhang Haidi, chairwoman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, Wang Qingxian, Party secretary of Qingdao, and Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, president of the Global Health Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia, attended the inauguration ceremony.

China currently has more than 85 million people with mental or physical challenges, as well as 44 million disabled and semi-disabled elderly people, all in need of quality rehabilitation services.

The University of Rehabilitation is designed to train more rehabilitation professionals to help the disabled and the elderly live happier and more dignified lives.

In 2015, the China Disabled Persons' Federation proposed the building of a rehabilitation university, which has been highly valued by the State Council and strongly supported by relevant departments. The university's construction has been included in four national-level development plans.

Recently, the Ministry of Education officially approved the establishment of the university after a long-term and in-depth investigation and preparation process.

The university will be settled in Qingdao and will be jointly built by the Shandong provincial government, the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, the National Health Commission, and other government departments.

Zhang Haidi, president of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, said that rehabilitation is the most urgent need of disabled people. She expressed hope that the university will cultivate more talents and provide better rehabilitation services for the disabled.