In autumn of September 17, the Welcome Ceremony & academic workshop for 2021 SPAA international students was held at Qingshuihe campus, aiming at welcoming the newly enrolled international students to the SPAA family both online and offline. The event was hosted by Professor Zhao Shurong, Director of CWAS of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) and the Director of International Student Program of School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA). Among the guests in attendance were distinguished professors and international students from the School of Public Affairs and Administration, the School of International Education and other schools and departments.
Li Ye, the vice dean of the School of International Education, delivered an elaborate speech not only welcoming the new international student but also seeking them to seize the new opportunities before them and devote themselves to academic excellence at UESTC. SPAA and UESTC at large, would also provide high quality learning support to the international student both at home and abroad.
Mr. Zheng Yutao, Chairman of Council of SPAA, welcomed the newly enrolled international students to the SPAA family on behalf of all the faculty members and students, and then introduced the training program to the international students. He also went ahead to share a few wise words stating that, "It's better to travel thousands of miles than to read thousands of books." Studying abroad is not only about acquiring academic knowledge, but also experiencing different cultures. Learning is not only related to your own future, but also to the future of your country and the world.
Professor Gao Tianpeng, a representative of the School of Public affairs and Administration, also gave a speech and stated that compared to a degree, it is more important to learn how to read, think, do research, and deeply understand Chinese culture through your own personal experience.
Lilian Wanjiru Njaramba (Li Hua), a 2020 international student and the president of SPAA’s international student union, spoke on behalf of the International Student Association of SPAA. Combining her own experience and learning methods, she shared how to adapt and successfully study in a new environment. Ali Vahidov, a freshman representative of 2021 international students from Azerbaijan, expressed his excitement at starting the "online learning journey" and his expectations for UESTC. Enoch Amoah, a representative of Outstanding Graduates and a doctorate in the School of Management and Economic (SME), welcomed the new international students. Enoch Amoah shared that SPAA and UESTC at large offers high quality teaching and scientific research, he therefore urged students to be modest and establish a good relationship with their classmates and teachers.
Mr. Zheng Yutao and Mr. Li Ye presented certificates to six international students both online and offline who had excellent performance in the “China in My Eyes” (2nd Essay Contest). The Second Prize winner, Priscilla Owusu-Ansah’s article was published in China and Africa magazine. Representatives present also presented the hard copy of the book Public Administration Ⅱ: On Poverty Alleviation, Food Security and Public Health in Ghana: Challenges and Responses, to the team members of the Center for West African Studies who participated in the editing and proofreading. This book is one of CWAS Book Series on West African Studies and is published by Social Sciences Academic Press (China).
Coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, the professors and faculty present shared mooncakes printed with the emblem and motto of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China with international students present. This warm gesture enabled international students to feel the charm of Chinese traditional festivals, enhancing their understanding and experience of Chinese culture, thus increasing their sense of belonging to both SPAA and UESTC at large.
At the end of the ceremony, the School of Public Affairs and Administration invited Dr. Guo Shuang from Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, to give a lecture on “Social Science Research Methodology” in the Academic Workshop for International Students. Dr. Guo Shuang mainly introduced the basic framework, core concepts and processes of Social Science Research Methods, which helped international students majoring in Public Management and other disciplines understand the basics of scientific research. The lecture ended with a Q&A session with Dr. Guo Shuang answering all queries asked. A group photo was also taken by all present to commemorate a successful 2021 welcoming ceremony & academic workshop.
