Ni Shi, a data engineer at Microsoft Asia-Pacific Technology Co., Ltd., returned March 26 to Suzhou City University (SZCU) as an alumnus to share his experience on the Alumni Day. 

It was the first offline event held by the School of International Exchange (SIE) amid a slowing COVID-19 pandemic, representing a full resumption of education internationalization at SZCU.

The alumni from EE (Electronic Engineering and Automation) program in the Classes of 2018 to 2020 returned to SZCU, sharing the latest research, technologies and industry trends with students. 

The event aimed to help students raise international awareness, sharpen international competence, plan their career, and improve competitiveness through the international programs and opportunities provided by the university.

The first attempt of such a shift excited Mohan, an Indian teacher who just returned to SZCU. He has been teaching courses including Digital Logic and Fundamentals of Electronics for seven years. “I am glad to see the alumni returned to campus today, they are all my proud students,” said Mohan. “I hope to see more such alumni visits as they could add value and motivate our students.”

On the Alumni Day, SIE staff answered questions about curriculum standards and language learning, and discussed topics such as the requirements for application-oriented talents, education patterns for Sino-Foreign programs, key procedures in talent cultivation, as well as pedagogical and educational reforms.

“Despite COVID’s impact on the internationalization of education, we kept moving, and will accelerate in this field,” said Deng Xiaoling, a teacher of School of International Exchange (SIE).

Deng said SZCU has launched a brand activity series themed around “International Bridge” to prepare students for international education, including “Discover Suzhou” Online Chinese and Culture Program, and Cloud Exchange Week with BSU. 

With the pandemic being under control, it is imperative to shift online international exchange to offline activities.

Originating from Wenzheng College of Soochow University in late 2020, SZCU features the cultivation of talents with creativity, critical thinking skills, practical abilities and an international vision. SZCU took the lead to form the International Office and SIE, establishing cooperative relations with 50+ universities in over 10 countries and regions.

“The Chinese-Foreign Cooperation programs aim to make our education more diverse, internationalized and competitive by introducing quality education resources from overseas,” said Tang Fengzhen, head of SIE. 

“They also promote the cooperation between Chinese and American universities in students’ language proficiency development, discipline planning, and cultural exchange,” said Tang.

A large proportion of students from the SIE of SZCU matriculated to top global universities like the University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne, and New York University for graduate studies. Many students also found jobs in leading companies such as Huawei, Baidu, Bosch, and State Grid.

“Suzhou City University will pursue win-win results based on international education platforms like Chinese-Foreign Cooperation programs and Sino-American CHEPD programs, and seek more international education opportunities for our students and staff so as to expand our global influence and achieve high-quality development with high-level international exchange,” said Gao Lei, vice-president of SZCU.