To integrate high-quality overseas educational resources with the school’s superior majors, cultivate professionals with strong international competitiveness, and advance the internationalization of school education, the School of Life Sciences held an offline and online hybrid information session on the “Xuzhou Medical University-Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)” 3+2 Joint Education Program on the morning of September 12. Distinguished alumnus of Xuzhou Medical University and Professor Xiang Jialing from Illinois Institute of Technology attended the session and delivered a special introduction to the program. All school leaders, faculty and staff from the Teaching & Research Office and Student Affairs Office participated in the event. All freshmen of the 2022 cohort attended the offline session, while over 300 participants including students from the 2020 and 2021 cohorts and some parents joined the online session. The session was presided over by Gao Can, Dean of the School of Life Sciences.
Starting with two core questions — “Why study life sciences?” and “Why pursue overseas studies?” — Professor Xiang Jialing focused on the development prospects, job characteristics and extended research fields of life sciences. Drawing on her own overseas study experience, she gave a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the 3+2 joint education program. She elaborated on key concerns of students and parents, including the program’s background, admission requirements, study timeline, core curricula, training plans and relevant expenses. The session broadened students’ horizons and raised their awareness of the importance of English learning. Finally, Professor Xiang concluded the session with an introduction to the scenery and delicacies of Chicago and engaged in interactive discussions with participating students and parents.
As an innovative attempt at Sino-foreign joint education and a key step forward in the continuous training of life science talents, the information session has laid a solid foundation for further Sino-foreign educational cooperation between the School of Life Sciences and Illinois Institute of Technology under the new development context.
