BUPT partnership with leading UK institution yields top results

Enduring relations with Queen Mary University of London advance reputation abroad

Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, a leading university in China, has paved the way for local students to engage in the international educational system, expanding their cultural awareness and improving workplace leadership abilities.

"We educate IT graduates who have excellent English skills and an open mind for the diversified and changing world with an innovative spirit," said Chen Yan, dean of the International School of the university.

Founded in 1955, BUPT enjoys a national reputation for innovation and excellence in advanced IT research and learning.

In 2004, the university launched a joint program with Queen Mary University of London. To date, about 4,400 students majoring in telecommunications engineering with management, e-commerce engineering with law and internet of things engineering have graduated from the school. Some 45 percent of those graduates have been hired by Fortune Global 500 companies, according to the school.

These include internet giants Baidu, Alibaba Group and Tencent, as well as the top three Chinese telecom providers: China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom. Many of them have been promoted to middle management.

Chen said that the university's strength is closely related to the nation's goal of developing the internet industry. As such, the joint program can help to develop more professionals to work in the promising market, including those who speak English, are specialized in cutting-edge technology, and can apply theory into practice.

Back in 2003, the two universities established a laboratory for radio communication research. They have since organized four international academic conferences and six forums with funding of up to 21 million yuan ($3.2 million) to support research projects, the school said.

"Our British partner's resources in language training and advanced scientific research can serve Chinese students through academic courses, experiments, English clubs and innovation centers," Chen said.

He added that half of the core courses were taught by foreign teachers sent over from QMUL, to introduce students to Western educational models and philosophies.

Marie-Luce Bourguet has worked at the International School since 2008. She said university teaching, especially teaching students at the undergraduate level, is not primarily about teaching knowledge, but helping students to prepare for further study or the workplace.

"The more important thing is about opening the minds of young people and to inspire them to discover," Bourguet said.

She added some courses require students to do lots of research before they come to class.

"What we are trying to do is to encourage more interaction in class. The results are that they are getting more and more active. Students joining in this international program are ready to push themselves to go for something they want to do and accept the challenge."

Chen said the school encourages students to form critical and strategic thinking, to support their roles as future leaders.

"Actually, they often have a clear plan for their future."

Sophomores attend lectures together; juniors are busy with experiments and projects; and seniors often apply for overseas study, Chen added.

"They are also under great pressure. For one module, they might have to confront more than 1,000 new terms in English," he said.

Besides academic study with Western principles, students also learn about professional manners and how to dress for the workplace, an education that is generally lacking in the domestic higher educational system, he said.

"We organize British-style ceremonies for academic events," he said. "The sense of glory and solemnity helps students to cherish what they have."

Chen said the school also places an emphasis on students being well-rounded, including enhancing their cultural awareness, management skills, and sense of social and moral responsibility.

(China Daily 02/02/2018 page20)