Marwa, a 20-year-old girl from Comoros, has embarked on her medical journey at the School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU). For her, stepping onto the wide and beautiful campus is more than the beginning of her own studies—it is also the continuation of a family legacy.
Her father, Dr. Msa Mliva, after finishing his undergraduate studies in 1989, realized that his home country lacked specialists in neurology. Determined to fill the gap, he returned to China in 1992 to train in neurology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, which was merged with former Sun Yat-sen University in 2001. During his three years of study, he combined clinical neurology with acupuncture, exploring the integration of Chinese and Western medicine.
Dr. Msa's Certificate of Advanced Study at Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences
Back in Moroni, Dr. Msa established the first neurology outpatient service at the Central Hospital, serving patients until 2000. His career later expanded into public health leadership—he was appointed Director General of Health at the Ministry of Health, pursued a master's degree in public health, and represented Comoros at the WHO Executive Board. Since 2010, Dr. Msa has been serving as the WHO National Professional Officer for Health Systems and Services.
Now, his daughter is carrying forward the bond with SYSU. Enthusiastic about her clinical medicine program, Marwa shares: “I love the spacious and beautiful campus, and I can't wait to show my new Chinese friends pictures of Comoros' stunning beaches and delicious food.”
A warm photo of Marwa and her father, captured in Guangzhou.
For this family, SYSU is more than a university. It is a bridge that connects generations and continents, carrying with it a shared commitment to knowledge, medicine, and friendship between Comoros and China.
