QMES Visited the University of Cambridge

To further expand the international cooperation of the school, learn from the educational and teaching concepts of top universities, and broaden the path of cultivating international talents, Fan Xiaoli, Dean of QMES, led a delegation to visit Wolfson College, Cavendish Laboratory and Rolls-Royce Aviation Engine Research Center of the University of Cambridge in UK from August 8th to 11th, 2023. Paticipants included Chen Jun, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office of NPU, and Yang Ye, Director of Teaching Affairs Office of QMES.

On August 8th, Professor Peter Robinson, Assistant to the Dean of Wolfson College, welcomed the delegation. As the head of the teaching team and a professor in computer science at the college, he provided a detailed introduction to the university’s scale, two-tiered structure and functions of faculties and colleges, enrollment, undergraduate mentorship systems and the development history and research directions of computer science. Chen Jun expressed that the University of Cambridge has a long history and its unique two-tiered education model is one of the successful modes for higher education in the world, which provides an important value for our NPU educational reform and exploration into internal management systems. In their exchange, Fan Xiaoli pointed out that this University was among one of the first universities to establish an undergraduate mentorship system. Each college offers small group study outside regular courses for 1-2 undergraduate students which effectively guides their learning and personal development. It is what QMES will learn from to enhance our education.

Afterwards, Fan Xiaoli and relevant personnel from Watson College discussed ways to improve the summer school program for students, managing to enrich its practical and learning contents. This would allow students to experience the sound academic atmosphere and teaching methods of prestigious universities, laying a solid foundation for future summer school programs at the college.

On August 9th, Fan Xiaoli and other team members visited Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. The staff accompanied them and explained the laboratory’s development history, research direction, future plan, and its important role in the development of physics. They also showcased equipment and models used by famous physicists such as James Clerk Maxwell, Francis Crick, and James Watson in the laboratory. After the visit, Fan Xiaoli expressed her admiration and gratitude for the pioneers’ exploration and fighting spirit in scientific research, and pointed out that it is a valuable asset for us to learn from.

In the afternoon, the delegation met with David Cardwell, Vice President of the University of Cambridge, lifelong Professor of Engineering at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. During the meeting, both sides discussed talent cultivation concepts, educational models and enrollment methods in higher education between China and the UK. Professor Cardwell welcomed the delegation and affirmed the quality of talent cultivation of NPU. Fan Xiaoli warmly invited Professor Cardwell to NPU to give lectures to students, broadening their international horizons and providing more opportunities for outstanding graduates to pursue further studies at top universities around the world. Chen Jun said that NPU hopes to expand cooperation platforms with world-renowned universities such as the University of Cambridge based on summer schools, and will actively prepare for mutual visits between University leaders as soon as possible, so as to promote practical cooperation in talent cultivation. Later on, Fan Xiaoli presented a souvenir gift from NPU to Professor Cardwell on behalf of the university.

At 7:00 pm, Fan Xiaoli and her delegation visited the students of the summer school at the college and joined them for a formal dinner. During the dinner, She expressed her delight in meeting with the QMES students at University of Cambridge and highly praised their outstanding performance in learning and practice. After listening to their feedback, achievements, and suggestions on the study-abroad program, she promised to negotiate with the International Cooperation Office of NPU to further enhance students’ study experience in summer school projects.

On August 10th, the delegation visited Rolls-Royce Aviation Engine Research Center in Derbyshire, UK. The staff of the group led the team to the museum, explaining the development and breakthroughs of Rolls-Royce in the history of aerospace engine, displaying models of important historical aviation engine types and their research processes. During her exchange with Rolls-Royce representatives, Fan Xiaoli expressed her gratitude for their reception. She mentioned that NPU is the multidisciplinary and research-oriented in China that is simultaneously developing education and research programs in the fields of aeronautics, astronautics, and marine technology engineering. Students should broaden their horizons while learning about their majors by understanding advanced technologies and industry development directions, and become innovative talents with global view and life-long study ability.

The visit to UK expanded the international cooperation in talent cultivation and increased the international influence of NPU’s joint education programs. It has laid a solid foundation for further communication and collaboration with top universities worldwide. The achievements of this exchange will be transformed into motivation for promoting educational reform in our school, creating better opportunities for international exchange and fostering a positive atmosphere for globalized education. QMES are always committed to contributing our force to the internationalization and opening-up of higher education of China.

Text: Yang Ye, Zhao Chunyi

Photo: Yang Ye, Zhao Chunyi

Translator: Liu Yang

Review: Fan Xiaoli