Strengthening robotic surgery cooperation between China and Flanders: Learning from each other to accelerate innovation and improve patient outcomes.
Last May, the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC), represented by Executive Director Gwenn Sonck, visited Shanghai and Chengdu. Through the Chamber’s introduction, Dr Alex Mottrie, CEO of Orsi Academy, a structural partner of the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC), travelled to both cities to explore cooperation with Borns Medical, a Chengdu-based company active in the field of robotic surgery. In Shanghai, Dr Mottrie delivered a lecture at the International Conference at the ENT Hospital, where he presented Orsi Academy’s mission: helping surgeons perform better through advanced robotic surgery training.
In Chengdu, a city of 16 million inhabitants, Dr Alex Mottrie shared a key insight: “A fool with a tool is still a fool.” Technology alone is not enough. The real value lies in high-quality training, expertise, standardization and international cooperation. Both sides share the ambition to bring robotic surgery training to the next level, with a strong focus on standardization, validated learning pathways and training outside the operating room, not directly on patients.
Orsi Academy’s Proficiency-Based Progression methodology offers an objective and quality-assured approach to surgical education, helping surgeons reach clearly defined performance benchmarks before applying their skills in clinical practice. Discussions are also ongoing on the possible development of a joint AI Training Academy / AI Innovation Hub for Medicine in Chengdu, further combining Flemish expertise in surgical training with China’s fast-moving innovation ecosystem. Dr Alex Mottrie also introduced the concept of micro-credentialing in robotic surgery, in line with European developments in skills recognition and lifelong learning. Standardization is key. Through this collaboration, we can learn from each other, accelerate innovation and improve outcomes for patients.
As Dr Mottrie highlighted, China places innovation at the forefront, helping to make innovation faster and more affordable.
The existing direct flights between Chengdu and Brussels make cooperation even more accessible and further strengthen the bridge between China and Flanders.
Exciting times ahead for robotic surgery collaboration between Flanders and China.
Are you interested in learning more about China’s innovation ecosystem? Join us on an innovation trip to China and contact: Gwenn.sonck@flanders-china.be
