A total of 124 medical students and 10 researchers from universities across China received scholarships in Shanghai on Wednesday to honor their dedication and achievements in life sciences and laboratory medicine.

The Roche Diagnostics China Medical and Life Science Education and Research Fund is one of the oldest education funds established by China's diagnostic industry.

So far, 1,280 medical students and 86 researchers have received support from the fund, which established a new award this year for universities and colleges with influential performances in medical research and researchers from non-profitable medical testing institutes in order to encourage scientific research and innovation.

In vitro diagnosis, which provides accurate information through tests on body fluids, blood, urine and tissue, is responsible for 70 percent of medical decisions to aid clinical judgment on diseases or body functions. It needs a large number of medical talent and industry innovation, experts said.

Dr Pan Baishen from Zhongshan Hospital’s laboratory medicine department said: “There is an increasing awareness on the importance of in vitro diagnosis in recent years. But there is a big shortage of professionals in clinical practice. With the development of modern laboratories, laboratory professionals should not only have proper skills but also spirit of research and innovation to push the improvement of laboratory medicine.”

Medical students and researchers from universities across China received scholarships in Shanghai on Wednesday.