The UIC Comprehensive Evaluation Admission Examination for Guangdong Province 2020 took place from 18 to 19 July. About 4,400 new applicants took part, which is a new record. After a rigorous review, nearly 2,800 candidates qualified with the final test results to be announced on 23 July.
With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing today’s society to change, UIC has been taking the correct steps and adjusting accordingly. The test was conducted using a dual-camera network to remote interview due to the on-going pandemic.
Examiners conducting an interview
The set was very straight forward with two examiners and an examination assistant in each room to assess the candidate using an online chat video platform. This remote interview was conducted in English and both parties engaged with each other via video cameras.
To ensure fairness and justice, the college had formulated strict specifications and conducted online training for the candidates in advance to guide them through the different stages of the process. Also, UIC has independently developed an entrance examination system that allows candidates to perform identity verification and face recognition after registration.
UIC Provost, Prof Chen Zhi explained that the Liberal Arts Education that UIC advocates do not only emphasizes academic performance but also emphasizes the overall development of students. The entrance test mainly examines the candidates’ English expression, analysis of problems and interpersonal communication skills. He hopes that after the students have entered UIC that they can boldly open themselves to the UIC environment and achieve overall growth.
Candidates enter the system to verify their identity
To ensure the whole operation ran smoothly, the college established a special working group and made careful and detailed arrangements. Prof Stella Cho, Chairman of the Subcommittee and Dean of the Department of Business Administration, said that nearly 150 examiners and 90 examination assistants participated in the interview and sports test. Also, 50 staff members continued to conduct pre-examination training for candidates for five days. Candidates who encountered problems were given patient guidance and help. The working group also designed a large number of test questions for this interview to ensure that the questions used on 17 July were not repeated the following day on 18 July.
Teachers participate in online training
After the interview, the candidates can choose an exercise to perform as part of the sports test. Sit-ups, skipping ropes and push-ups were the choices. The results of the sports test were not counted towards the total score, but they are used as an important reference for admission.
A candidate skipping for the physical part of the test
Nine pairs of twins took the test on the same day
On the first day of the examination, nine pairs of twins from Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Dongguan participated in the UIC Comprehensive Evaluation Admission Examination. To ensure fairness and justice, each pair of twins are interviewed at the same time. The twin brothers Wang Zixun and Wang Ziyue are both studying at Donghua Senior High College in Dongguan. UIC's international education model and comprehensive evaluation and new enrollment methods are the reasons that attract them to apply for the exam. The older brother Wang Ziyue plans to enrol in Economics, and his younger brother Wang Zixun wants to enrol in Marketing. Wang Zixun explained that the way their parents educate them since childhood tends to be quality education rather than exam-oriented education, therefore UIC is very suitable for them.
Examiners taking part in pre-test training
Chen Jiayin from Shenzhen Mingde Experimental College has been familiar with UIC since his second year of high college. At the same time, to have more channels to enter the college of her dreams, she started preparing for the entrance test very early. In the interview, the topic she was most impressed with was ‘How to protect Chinese culture in the context of globalisation’. She expounded her views from the two aspects of scientific research and policy, which was appreciated by the examiners. Chen Jiayin likes UIC's all-English teaching system and hopes to enter UIC to experience the international education atmosphere.
Examiners communicating with candidates
Zeng Ziqiao from Shenzhen Experimental School explained that usually the exams in her high school are mainly written exams and that there are few opportunities for her to speak English. This exam not only allowed Ziqiao to demonstrate their oral English skills, but also tested her ability to handle situations. Zeng Ziqiao started to understand UIC when she was in her third year of high school. After learning about the college's educational philosophy, curriculum and faculty through UIC's official website, she strengthened her belief in applying for UIC.
The numbers of applicants and admission scores have risen year after year
This year, UIC plans to enrol 350 students (99 in Liberal Arts and 251 in Sciences) in its Comprehensive Evaluation Admission Examination.
The Director of the UIC Admissions Office, Ms Lin Qunying explained that if candidates fail to register for the comprehensive evaluation admission in time, they can also apply to UIC via the Undergraduate Early Admission Batch Non-Military Inspection Colleges. This year, UIC plans to enrol 402 students (115 students in Liberal Arts and 287 students in Sciences) under this category.
Each examination room has two examiners and one assistant
UIC also provides a wide range of scholarships, including freshman admission scholarship (outside of Guangdong province), Guangdong province undergraduate early admission batch freshman admission scholarship, Guangdong province comprehensive evaluation admission scholarship, and Zhuhai freshman special scholarship; also, there are several college scholarships and grants.
From MPRO
Reporter: Samuel Burgess
Editor: Covee Wang
Photographer: Covee Wang, Cheryl Chen
