Higher education institutions from around the world came to UIC to set up booths and tried to attract potential students who are seeking further studies as part of the 10th International Postgraduate Education Information Fair on 11 October.
This year, 39 higher education institutes participated in the fair with UIC students, parents and students from nearby universities all attending. Some universities are expected to give separate sessions to UIC students later.
Journalism and Communication freshman student Lin Yixi was the event’s MC and welcomed everyone before introducing UIC’s Vice President (Academic Affairs) Prof Chen Zhi to the stage.
Prof Chen explains how 10 is a lucky number for Chinese and that this is UIC’s tenth annual fair, and explained UIC’s role at the fair as playing match-maker, between keen students and keen institutions of higher learning.
Prof Chen explaining how the number 10 is lucky in Chinese culture
“Over the years, the percentage of our graduates going on to postgraduate education has climbed quickly. In 2019, it hits over 70%.” Prof Chen also thanked the Career Development Office (CDO), Four-Point Education Coordination Office (FPECO) and the International Development Office (IDO) for their hard work to make the fair happen.
Higher educational institutes from all around the world come to the fair
Many universities expressed an eagerness to enrol UIC students due to UIC’s learning environment and the fact that English is used as the medium of instruction, which makes it easier for UIC students to adapt to overseas education systems.
Many of the participating higher education institutes offered information about master's and doctorate programmes and had their representatives go into more detail as well as provide students with useful suggestions about preparing their applications and choosing a major. UIC was also exhibiting and showcasing their graduate programmes, which gathered interest.
Throughout the day, various representatives gave seminars to attendees about what they can expect and what is being offered by their higher educational institute.
Higher educational institutes take time to provide a presentation
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Associate Dean of Graduate programmes, Dr Nancy Bonner, praised UIC for its level of organisation during her first visit to the International Postgraduate Education Information Fair. “We are very impressed with the campus and the warm welcome that we have received from the students, faculty and administration,” she said.
Dr Bonner then continued by explaining how impressed she is with the event and how excited she is to see and talk to all of the students. “The students here are very ambitious, very hard working and want to do the best they can in the field they are studying and that is what really attracted us to the students here,” explained Dr Bonner. She finished off by talking about how she is excited to see what the students can bring to their campus back in Texas.
Summer School and International Weeks Manager at ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, Mr Maurici Role Alaye believed this fair was a great way to meet UIC students and to show them what his school can offer them. “One of the things that attract us to enrol UIC students is the diversity as they are coming from different parts of China,” he said.
Mr Maurici Role Alaye talking to students
Mr Alaye explained that they have had UIC students in the past attended the summer programmes and he believes they are a perfect fit for their college’s campus. He says “Their performance is perfect; we can't say anything negative because they are great, and we love to have them in our campus.”
University of Westminster Lecturer and International Director, Mr Geoffrey Davies is not new to UIC's postgraduate fair and explained how UIC is "fertile grounds" for recruiting students for graduate degrees.
Mr Geoffrey Davies speaking with students
Mr Davies explained how the University of Westminster is based in central London and has a strong reputation in media courses is a big attraction for UIC students. "I am delighted that more and more UIC students are coming for our summer schools" he added.
Acting Director of the CDO as well as the Associate Director of IDO, Ms Li Mei expressed that she thought this year’s event was great. “I hope the students can get what they are looking for at this fair,” she said.
Ms Li Mei mentioned that one of the goals for the career development office at UIC is to educate the students who wish to pursue a master degree by applying for it themselves instead of going through an expensive agent.
Group photo
Year 3 Applied Psychology student Zhang Yi noticed that this year, there are more universities from the US. This is the third year she has attended the fair. She talked to several of her dream universities, including The University of Southern California, Johns Hopkins University and The University of West Florida. Yi learned more about their majors in psychology.
A parent of an Applied Economics student came all the way from Harbin in Heilongjiang to attend this fair. He expressed his appreciation that the fair really helps the students and their parents to obtain information and choose their ideal universities.
Parents attending the postgraduate fair
There were plenty of volunteers on hand to offer support at the fair as they wore green or blue shirts to stand out. All selected volunteers were trained in order to make the guests and students get the most of this event.
Reporter: Samuel Burgess
Photographers: Ivy Liao, Covee Wang, Lauren Richardson
Editor: Deen He
(from MPRO)
