On October 28, 2024, the 2024 International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA) Annual Research Training Program (RTP), hosted by the IPA and organized by the Institute of Psychotherapy of the National Center for Mental Disorders (Shanghai Mental Health Center), successfully convened at the Shanghai Mental Health Center. 6 mentors and 18 fellows from Sweden, the United States, Brazil, Austria, Germany, Australia, Japan, China and other countries assembled to witness the initiation of this year's RTP. From Oct. 28 to Oct. 31, 2024, it is the first time that the RTP has been held in Asia, specifically in Shanghai, China. The RTP offers training opportunities for peers worldwide who are interested in psychoanalytic concepts and evidence-based researches, providing constructive advice for participants at any stage of their projects (such as the stages of conception, design, data collection, data analysis, and writing).

In the opening ceremony, Professor Jianyin Qiu, Director of the Institute of Psychotherapy of the National Center for Mental Disorders (Shanghai Mental Health Center), Professor Stephan Hau, representing the mentor team of the RTP program, Professor Zhen Wang, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Mental Health Center, gave their addresses to this RTP training, hoping that peers in RTP training would enjoy the exchange of innovative research ideas.

18 fellows were divided into 3 groups with two mentors in each group. In the following four days, each fellow presented their research projects in their groups and had an intensive group discussion within the group. After this discussion, the fellow might get some new ideas for his research. With new ideas, the fellow would present his research project again in the entire training program group, generating sparks of thought during the discussion, and attaining a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of psychoanalytic research.

In the closing ceremony, each fellow got certificate from the mentors. The teaching faculty expressed their best wishes for the fellows to have a good career and balance their life. Prof. Stephan Hau, on behalf of the teaching faculty, expressed gratitude to Prof. Jianyin Qiu and Shanghai Mental Health Center for the considerate hosting.

It is of extraordinary significance that RTP is held in Shanghai China this year, which indicates the development of psychoanalysis in China has received recognition from international society. The RTP will also promote the advancement of psychoanalysis research in China.

Following the RTP, from November 1st to 3rd, the 2024 Joseph Sandler Psychoanalytic Research Conference was held in Shanghai, which is also the first time for the Conference convened beyond European and American countries. This grand event will enable more participants to witness how psychoanalytic research can be integrated with practice, generating more intellectual sparks and contributing to the promotion of human mental health.

Written by Weiduan, Proofread by Yanru Wu, Jianyin Qiu