23 Oct 2024
Recently, the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education announced the list of programmes selected for the third phase of the Jiangsu Provincial Higher Education Brand Program. The undergraduate BSc Biological Sciences and BSc Applied Chemistry programmes from the School of Science were successfully included.
The Jiangsu Provincial Higher Education Brand Program, implemented by the Provincial Department of Education, aims to align with national strategic priorities and the high-quality development needs of Jiangsu’s economy and society. The program seeks to optimize the adjustment of academic offerings, promote the integration of industry and education, and increase efforts to cultivate urgently needed talents. With the goals of striving for excellence and building recognized brands, the project drives the construction of academic programs across various fields, enhances the development of teaching resources such as courses, textbooks, and experimental platforms, innovates teaching methods, improves student internship and practice systems, and elevates the teaching capabilities of faculty. It is dedicated to developing high-quality, specialized clusters that support the innovation of industries and the improvement of productivity in Jiangsu, providing strong talent support.
Professor John Moraros, Dean, School of Science stated: “This is a momentous occasion in the history of our distinguished BSc Biological Sciences Programme and BSc in Applied Chemistry, School of Science. It exemplifies the highest standards of academic excellence and research innovation, and the ability of our students to advance knowledge in ways that have a profound impact on both our scientific community and society at large. This recognition by the Department of Education is also a celebration of the growth, quality and impact of our teaching and research within Suzhou and the Jiangsu province. It is also a testament to the competitive nature of the two programmes and their keen ability to recruit highly talented and hardworking students. It solidifies and strengthens our collective commitment to scientific inquiry and innovation and encourages us to continue to work hard to elevate our standing on the global stage. My warm congratulations and many thanks to our wonderful students and outstanding faculty on this great achievement.”
BSc Biological Sciences Programme
Founded in 2008, the Department of Biological Sciences in the School of Science at XJTLU has rapidly grown in size and prominence to become a distinguished representative in the field of life sciences in China and across the world. Much of its success is attributed to its ability to cultivate a diverse and creative pool of talented students under the mentorship of world-renowned faculty. Our research focuses on molecular biosciences and bioinformatics and is supported by state-of-the-art laboratories, specifically designed for both teaching and research, ensuring the highest standards of educational and scientific excellence.
BSc Biological Sciences Programme is also the first globally to receive international accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology, outside of the UK. In addition, it has been recognized as a “Key Constructive Discipline of Jiangsu Province” by the Department of Education.
Dr Yong Shen, Programme Director, BSc Biological Sciences Programme said: “I am deeply honored that our BSc Biological Sciences Program has been recognized as part of the Jiangsu Provincial Higher Education Brand Program. This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, and students in striving for excellence in both education and research. It also reinforces our commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders, who will contribute to advancements in biological sciences and make meaningful impacts on society. We will continue to innovate and expand our programme, providing students with the highest quality education and research opportunities.”
Dr Jeong Park, Programme Director (2021-2024), BSc Biological Sciences Programme shared: “As the former Director of the Biological Sciences Programme, I am incredibly proud of our students and staff for their hard work, which has led to our programme being recognized as a Provincial Distinctive Programme. This shows our dedication to providing a high-quality education and helping our students succeed. Many of our graduates have continued their studies at top research universities overseas, highlighting how well our programme prepares students for global research opportunities. This achievement reflects the teamwork, careful management, and smart use of resources that helped us reach our goals. Together, we are preparing our students to be leaders in science and innovation worldwide.”
Dr Yong Shen emphasised that a significant number of our graduates continue their studies (Masters and PhD) at internationally world leading and renowned institutions. Each year, over half of our graduates are admitted to universities ranked in the top 50 globally, including Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, Yale, and Carnegie Mellon University. This reflects the exceptional quality of education we provide and the immense support we offer for the future development of our students. This outstanding recognition by the Jiangsu Provincial Higher Education Brand Program further underscores our commitment and work to achieve excellence and innovation in education and research. We will continue to advance our BSc Biological Sciences Programme and contribute to the cultivation of highly trained exceptional talent in the field of biosciences for China and the world.
BSc Applied Chemistry Programme
The Department of Chemistry in the School of Science at XJTLU was established in 2011 and has a strong body of academic staff members and multiple operational research and teaching laboratories. The fast development is both exciting and challenging. Chemistry has been called a “central science” of the 21st century because it is the foundation of all of today’s frontier research, from nano-technology to computer chips, and from green energy to molecular biology. Our department’s research emphasis focusses mainly on chemical biology and advanced functional materials.
With world leading expertise in the emerging fields of chemistry, the Applied Chemistry Programme equips students with a broad understanding of advanced materials, clean and renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. The programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), ensuring that graduates meet the highest internationally recognised standards.
Dr Yi Lin, Programme Director, Applied Chemistry programme, said: “Being selected for the Jiangsu University Brand Programme Construction Project is an outstanding recognition of our team’s hard work and innovative spirit. It also sets high expectations for the future of chemical science at XJTLU.”
She added: “We will use this opportunity to enhance our curriculum, strengthen practical and applied teaching, and expand collaborations with universities, research institutions, and industry partners. Our aim is to integrate industry, academia, and research to cultivate strong chemistry talent with solid theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and innovative thinking. We hope to contribute to the city, province and country's scientific progress, industrial development, and the implementation of the 'dual carbon' strategy.”
Both the BSc Biological Sciences and BSc Applied Chemistry programmes as well as the BSc in Bioinformatics and BSc in Environmental Sciences at the School of Science, XJTLU continue to recruit and welcome competitive applications from the best and brightest students from across China and the world.
About the School of Science
Established in September 2020, the School of Science at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) embodies a vibrant commitment to the advancement of knowledge, research excellence, and transformative education within the realm of scientific inquiry, exploration and innovation. Our School is composed of a tight-knit professional family of international scholars and serves as a beacon for interdisciplinary collaboration and high-quality research outputs.
Embracing our global identity, the School of Science proudly champions international exchange, cooperation and partnership. We welcome and encourage scholars and students from around the world to join our growing academic community, infusing our School environment with a rich diversity of perspectives, ideas and experiences. Our commitment to intercultural dialogue not only enhances our own learning community but also contributes to the global discourse on science and its transformative power to reshape our world.
Material and Review: Dr Yong Shen、Professor John Moraros、Dr Lifeng Ding
Editing、Translation and New Media:Luyao Wang
23 Oct 2024