A wonderful opportunity for international education is waiting to be explored! On the evening of October 13, the School of Life Sciences successfully held the 2023 “Xuzhou Medical University-Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)” 3+2 Joint Education Program Information Session. The event aimed to broaden students’ international horizons, advance the international development of the school, and further strengthen home-school collaborative education. Professor Xiang Jialing, a distinguished alumnus of Xuzhou Medical University and faculty member at Illinois Institute of Technology, was invited to deliver a special introduction to the joint program. The offline session was attended by Professor Gao Can, Dean of the School of Life Sciences, Zheng Peng, Deputy Secretary of the General Party Branch, counselors Xu Yue and Hong Xiaoran, and all undergraduate students of the 2023 intake. Meanwhile, parents of the students participated in the session via online channels.
At the beginning of the session, Professor Xiang Jialing elaborated on the global development trends of biological disciplines, focusing on specialized subfields, development prospects and extended research areas of biology majors. Combining her personal academic experience, she provided practical suggestions for on-site students and online parents regarding the comparison between international overseas study and domestic education, the advantages and challenges of studying abroad, and the optimal timing for overseas further education. Subsequently, Professor Xiang gave a detailed interpretation of core information about the 3+2 joint program between Xuzhou Medical University and Illinois Institute of Technology, covering key concerns including application timelines, admission requirements, tuition and living expenses, as well as graduation criteria. She encouraged students who are interested in and capable of pursuing overseas studies to make early plans and adequate preparations. Finally, Professor Xiang shared her valuable experience of working and living in Chicago, USA, bringing the information session to a successful conclusion.
At present, the School of Life Sciences has launched multiple international exchange programs, including the postgraduate exchange program with Korea University and the undergraduate 3+2 joint education program with Illinois Institute of Technology. In the future, the school will continue to provide diverse and high-quality overseas study opportunities for students. These initiatives are designed to broaden students’ international vision, enhance their comprehensive capabilities, and further improve their competitiveness in future employment and postgraduate advancement.
