Students receive clinical training through affiliated Grade A tertiary hospitals and regional teaching hospitals serving western Yunnan. The university has developed research strengths in high-altitude medicine, infectious diseases, tropical medicine, ethnic medicine, public health, integrated Chinese and Western medicine, and community healthcare, reflecting the unique characteristics of the region. International collaborations with institutions across South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America support academic exchanges and scientific cooperation. Clinical education emphasizes rural medicine, primary healthcare, multilingual communication, and community-based learning. Dali University is recognized for producing physicians who contribute significantly to healthcare services in China’s border regions while promoting international cooperation in medical education.