With an inaugural program launched to support students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, 16 outstanding undergraduates from the East China University of Science and Technology embarked on a journey of academic discovery and cultural exchanges to Singapore this summer.
The students participated in a week-long program at the National University of Singapore, exploring cutting-edge fields such as network analysis, social research and data science. At lectures based on case studies, renowned international professors shared their expertise on research design, sampling strategies and data modeling while stressing critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
Yang Xiaoyong, a law student from Shanxi province studying at ECUST, said discussions with global peers and the visit to the Singapore courts reshaped his understanding of legal frameworks, which highlighted the need for both local expertise and global perspectives.
Along the journey, students were inspired by local practices and got more connected to what they have learned in class. Sang Tingting from Henan province related classroom lessons on 'ecological footprint' to Singapore's waste recycling systems. Bai Ying from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region grasped multiculturalism through street chatting and interactions, while Zhang Di majoring in biotech found Singapore's recycling technology highly consistent with China's 'zero-waste city' concept. At the Monetary Authority of Singapore, business student Yang Lan shared his thoughts on green finance strategies, exploring opportunities and challenges in practical governance.
Zhao Jiaxin, also one of the 16 students, captured a lot of photos during the journey, which she shared with her families for a glimpse into the broader world. She also planned to take the photos back to her hometown to motivate more children with a bigger dream.
It echoed with the goal of the program and the university's efforts. Creating more opportunities for students regardless of financial conditions, the university hopes to equip them with the relevant knowledge and help them engage with the world and realize their dreams.
Zhang Wenjun contributed to this story.
