A delegation led by Matthew Knowles, the Education Consul of British Consulate-General visited Jiangsu University on Sept. 19. Vice President Chen Long met the delegation.

During the meeting, Vice President Chen Long introduced some important measures and outstanding achievements on the international education at JSU. He highlighted that JSU has set a five- million overseas study fund for students who participate in the international English language tests like IELTS and TOEFL, and for those who attend the short-term overseas study programmes and international academic meetings. Meanwhile, JSU has made efforts to apply for a licensed IELTS testing center, promoted the reform of college English education, and strengthen the supportive infrastructure. He also emphasized that JSU would maintain and exploit its advantages in the traditional subject of agricultural machinery and advance the development of other predominant subjects, as part of achieving the goal of becoming a Double First-rate University.

Mr. Matthew Knowles highly appreciated JSU’s international strategies and paid special attention to the Double First-rate University initiative, saying that he would consider the application of an IELTS testing center at JSU. He mentioned that the British Department for Education has always attached importance to the cooperation and exchange with colleges and universities in Jiangsu. At the end of September, the Minister of the Department for Universities visited Jiangsu Province with a delegation and signed a contract to form a College Cooperative Alliance with Jiangsu province.

A consensus was also reached on improving the English ability of lecturers and the quality of lectures in English and increasing the international influence of JSU produced research (e.g. published articles, professional conference presentations, etc.)