As part of a series of activities for Wuhan University’s 125th Anniversary, a student study abroad scholarship awarding ceremony on November 30 invited six students who had taken part in overseas exchange programs onstage to share their invaluable experiences. Deputy party secretary Zhao Xuemei and Heads of different departments at the university and hundreds of students were present at the event in lecture hall B2 of the Main Library.
The slogan “Endless learning in the boundless world” has well concluded the theme of this ceremony. According to data reported by the university, 465 students have travelled across the borders to pursue their dreams in world leading universities such as Harvard University, Cornell University, and Imperial College London since the scholarship launched three years ago.
A short video introducing the recent situations and achievements of Wuhan University’s international exchange projects made a nice appetizer before the event began. It was shown that Wuhan University has been broadening the exchange programs, granting more scholarships for students’ overseas study, and promoting the establishment of “One School, One Policy” international training projects in different schools. As Zhao Xuemei, the deputy party secretary of WHU later addressed in her speech, 2018 is the “student-oriented” year, and the university has endeavoured to create better conditions for students’ to study abroad.
Zhao Xuemei giving an opening speech
The awarding ceremony reached its climax when the six student representatives stepped up in turns and made brief reports about the programs they had completed. Ye Huaiqian, the first presenter who comes from Economics and Management School, regarded his four-week stay in Harvard University as an inspiring dream. Tang Zhuo, a student from School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, ended his three-month study in University of California, Santa Barbara, with all the three courses graded as A. And for Zhou Yuhan, who has joined a double-degree project in law and German, said his one-year experience in Germany developed his strong adaptability to unfamiliar environments and enabled him to think differently. A student from School of Medicine named Fang Yan spent 42 days in Fukushima Medical University studying, as well as observing the disparities between Chinese and Japanese medical systems. Liu Xiaojing from School of Printing and Packaging was fascinated by the freedom and tolerance in the United Nations and had thereby determined her lifelong direction. The last speaker, Jiang Lu, participated in the program organised by College of Life Sciences this summer, and went to Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. She appreciated Wuhan University for giving her such a precious opportunity that would serve as her future guidance.
Liu Xiaojing sharing her story in Bangkok
It is reported that, Zheng Qirong, the former vice-president of China Foreign Affairs College, and Liu Zhixian, the executive director of the United Nations Association of China, were invited to address lectures entitled “Importance and Implementation of Internship Programs in International Organizations” and “Basic Qualities and Requirements of International Staff” respectively. They illustrated the details of the state-funded international organisation internship concerning policies, approaches and requirements. Relevant information of international staff was also explained. The lectures were warmly welcomed by audience and had attracted more than 100 students from other universities in Wuhan such as China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University.
Hundreds of audience present at the ceremony
The scholarship for overseas exchange and study was set up in 2016, with the support provided by “Double First Class” fund. It is an incentive plan to reward undergraduate students who actively sign up for international exchange programs. Six types of programs are included in the rewarding lists: top credit-awarding programs, studentexchange programs, joint training programs, schools’ catered programs, conferences and competitions programs, and short-term programs. The amount of financial support for each student follows a three-tier system, considering the type of program, the length of stay, and the destination. The scholarships are awarded twice a year, after the assessment is done by the review board. Till now, 1413 students have received the support for studying abroad.
Student representatives granted with scholarships
Meanwhile, Wuhan University has applied for CSC’s (China Scholarship Council) “overseas exchange programs for outstanding undergraduate students”. In 2018, the number of approved programs in WHU ranked the third among China while students admitted in internship programs to Canada is the most. It is reported that the environment for undergraduate students to study abroad has gradually become mature in recent years.
Photo by: Jin Xin, Yang Qian
Edited by: Li Yushan, Zheng Yayun and Hu Sijia
