【Global Times】WKU faculty and students reported by the Global Times

Recently, a famous English media platform, the Global Times, released two reports on Vice Chancellor of WKU Dr. Eric Yang, lecturer of computer science James Yee and lecturer of English Jennifer Marquardt and several students on topics like study abroad plan, online instruction, foreign teachers’ return scheme etc.

At present, some students, who have already got the offers of overseas universities, have been strayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. To solve this problem, The Ministry of Education came forward with a new scheme, which allows some Chinese-foreign cooperative education institutions and programs (the scheme applies to the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) to recruit students, who meet specific conditions of the Universities, under the premise of ensuring education fairness. Eric Yang introduced the applications of those students to the reporter and remarked, “It’s a good option for those who wanted to study abroad. They can complete their study in China a similar ‘western curriculum’ and international environment.”

In the reports, James Yee and Jennifer Marquardt reviewed their experience before and after the pandemic. Though threatened by the unexpected crisis, they quickly shifted to remote teaching and swiftly adapted themselves to the new instruction form. Currently, they have gained visas successively with the supports from the University and related government. They will return to campus after completing mandatory quarantine. At the end of the interview, they couldn’t help expressing their excitement to meet their students in person.

Some students voiced regrets to have upset their original plans to study abroad, while most of them were pleased about current arrangement and cherished the opportunity to study on campus under the impact of the pandemic.

The Global Times is a daily tabloid newspaper under the auspices of the People’s Daily newspaper, commenting on international issues from a China’s perspective. It is a flagship newspaper to voice Chinese stories to the international community.

For the original English report:

Chinese students study ‘abroad’ in China this fall 

https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1201218.shtml

Stranded foreign teachers return to China after months of uncertainty

http://enapp.globaltimes.cn/#/article/1201925

Writer:Alisa Lai