On the morning of July 1, our college successfully conducted the opening ceremony for the 2024 University Immersion Program (UIP), extending a warm welcome to faculty and students from abroad who are participating in a two-week exchange program at Sichuan University. The ceremony was graced by the presence of several distinguished individuals, including Xiao Xianyong, the Dean of the School of Electrical Engineering; Li Changsong, the Vice Dean; Professor Taylor Anthony Gareth from Brunel University in the United Kingdom; and Associate Professor Stephen Charles Greedy from the University of Nottingham. Additionally, the event was attended by various faculty members, international exchange students, and students from the 2021 cohort of the School of Electrical Engineering. The administrative party branch secretary of the college, Deng Qinghua, served as the host for the opening ceremony.
At the commencement of the opening ceremony, Dean Xiao Xianyong extended a cordial welcome to the overseas faculty and students who had traveled from distant locations. He expressed his appreciation to the international educators for providing exceptional courses to the college students and conveyed his aspirations for all participants to achieve meaningful outcomes during the two weeks of learning and exchange. Dean Xiao emphasized that Sichuan University, recognized as a prestigious comprehensive institution in China, possesses a rich historical background and cultural heritage. Furthermore, he highlighted that the School of Electrical Engineering, as an active participant in the university's UIP program, has established robust collaborative relationships with numerous overseas institutions. He expressed his anticipation that the invited faculty and students would fully engage in and enjoy this significant event of international cultural and knowledge exchange.
Professor Taylor Anthony Gareth from Brunel University in the United Kingdom represented overseas educators during his address. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the 2024 UIP once again and conveyed his hope that students would acquire valuable insights from his course. Additionally, he extended his best wishes to all overseas exchange students for a rewarding and enjoyable exchange experience.
Leith Echty, a representative of international exchange students from Clausthal University of Technology in Germany, delivered a speech in which he expressed his gratitude to Sichuan University and the School of Electrical Engineering for their efforts in organizing the international exchange program. He conveyed his enthusiasm for participating in this initiative, noting that it is his first visit to China. Echty also articulated his anticipation for the learning and exchange experiences that will occur over the next two weeks.
Tan Ling, a student representative from the College of Electrical Engineering, articulated her perspectives regarding the UIP. She expressed gratitude to both the institution and the college for facilitating this valuable platform. Ling firmly posits that international cultural and educational exchanges enable educators and students from diverse countries and regions to attain a more profound comprehension of one another's cultures, thereby fostering international camaraderie. Furthermore, as Chinese students, we will persistently expand our global perspectives through these exchanges and educational experiences, ultimately reaping significant benefits.
At this year's UIP, our college has invited five educators from prestigious overseas universities, as well as sixteen international exchange students. The successful execution of the opening ceremony not only enhanced the understanding of the international exchange students regarding Sichuan University and the college of Electrical Engineering, but also fostered camaraderie among the participants. Over the subsequent two weeks, foreign educators and international exchange students will join our faculty and students in Sichuan University to learn cultural knowledge. Additionally, they will partake in various extracurricular activities, thereby experiencing the richness of Chinese culture and the distinctive characteristics of Chengdu collectively.
