Academic Spotlight: Prof Zijing Hu – Pioneering Traditional Chinese Medicine in South Africa
- Dr. Z Hu
- Aug 13
- 2 min read
13 August 2025 | Johannesburg
The University of Johannesburg is proud to highlight the achievements of Prof Zijing Hu, the President of the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Africa, who has made history as the first professor in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in South Africa. His work is shaping the growth, recognition, and academic excellence of TCM in the country.
Prof Hu has been practising Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture since 2009, bringing over 15 years of clinical expertise to his teaching and research. In 2022, he completed his PhD at the University of Pretoria in just two years — the minimum allowable timeframe. His doctoral research broke new ground by focusing on strengthening the teaching, learning, assessment, and practices of acupuncture programmes at higher education institutions in the South African context.
In recognition of his expertise, Prof Hu was appointed in 2023 as a Visiting Scholar at Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, China, fostering international academic exchange and collaboration in the TCM field.
An active and prolific researcher, Prof Hu has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. His research focuses on quality education provision, with a particular interest in teaching and learning strategies that improve student outcomes. His scholarly work spans complementary medicine (Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture), higher education teaching and learning, and professional teacher development — all within the South African context.
Beyond academia, Prof Hu plays a pivotal leadership role as the Chairperson of the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Africa and Editor-in-Chief for Complementary Medicine: Education and Research.
Through his academic leadership, research, and advocacy, Prof Hu is making a lasting contribution to the development, integration, and recognition of Traditional Chinese Medicine in South Africa — bridging cultures, advancing healthcare, and inspiring future generations of practitioners.
Comments