Field trips to companies enrich learning

Doctoral student Dang DinhHuy was surprised to be invited to participate in offcampus visits to some of China’s most advanced automation, automotive and machinery manufacturing companies — a project organized by the China Scholarship Council in Shenyang, Liaoning province.

“Iamvery lucky to have the chance to visit,” Dang said. “It helps me have a clear view of China’s outstanding enterprises and the potential future ofmy career.”

The 26-year-old Vietnamese student, sponsored by CSC, is pursuing his mechanical manufacturing and automation control doctorate at Northeastern University, the leading engineering and technology university in China.

Some 90 students from 26 countries visited Shenyang, China’s vital manufacturing base in the Northeast. And three leading companies for the first time opened the gates for them — Siasun Robot & Automation Co, BMWBrilliance Auto (a SinoGerman joint venture) and Shenyang Yuanda Enterprise Group.

The organizer said thatsuch off-campus visits aim to help overseas students see and understand China’s advanced manufacturing industry and attractmoreinternational students in coming years.

“Liaoning, as the cradle of China’s manufacturing industry, has a big advantage in engineering colleges. And a large number of overseas graduates are now working in important positions in their own countries,” said Li Wei, deputy director of Northeastern University international cooperation and exchange department. He is also the driving force of the trip.

Four other engineering universities were also invited to join the program, including Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang Ligong University, University of Science and Technology Liaoning and Liaoning Technical University.

Kozel Margarita,

24,Kazakhstan,postgraduate tradeatShenyangLigong University

“I came to China to study plastic surgery of the jaw for one reason: I can’t find a branch like that in my country due to the poor medical conditions. Also, tuition to study medicine is just so expensive, and China is offering me a considerable fellowship. I plan to open a clinic at home to fill the gap one day.”

Han Nyein Aung,

25,Myanmar,postgraduate studentatGuangxiMedical University

FENG YONGBIN / CHINA DAILY Foreign students pose for photos during their visit to Shenyang Yuanda Enterprise Group on June 3.