On March 15, High School Headmaster Forum was held at Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT). More than 200 headmasters, education experts and directors of education authorities from all over the country and leaders from Shantou University gathered online and offline at GTIIT, discussing the topics including cultivation of scientific-innovation talents in the new era, and career education for high school students under the new Gaokao.

In the forum, Mr. Fan Shaobin, Deputy Director of the Guangdong Education Examinations Authority; Mr. Yuan Jingyu, Director of the Jiangsu Education Examinations Authority; Mr. Li Xiang, Director of Shantou Education Bureau; Prof. Hou Zhijin, professor from Beijing Normal University and Distinguished Expert of Career Development and Guidance of the Ministry of Education and other leaders and experts were invited to attend and make speeches. Prof. Gong Xingao, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and GTIIT Chancellor, delivered a keynote speech on the connection between universities and high schools.

Raise scientific literacy to cultivate scientific-innovation talents

Prof. Gong Xingao, GTIIT Chancellor and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, gave the keynote speech “Cultivation of Scientific and Innovative Talents: The Connection and Cooperation between Universities and High School”. He pointed out that the improvement of people’s scientific literacy, is crucial to the implementation of the strategy “Strengthen the Nation with Talents” and the construction of world-class talent center and establishment of solid footholds for innovation. “Scientific research ability, innovation awareness and critical thinking are the essential qualities of future scientific talents. The lack of scientific awareness will affect the development of basic research, as well as the progress of high technology. And the important way to avoid the problem is education,” Prof. Gong emphasized in the speech. GTIIT’s teaching focuses on laying a solid foundation for students, while welcoming questions and creations. "The Israeli spirit 'Chutzpah', explained as the sense of a big picture, the tolerance of failure and the courage to question everything, is what GTIIT-cultivated talents owned," Prof. Gong added.

"There is no dogma for innovation cultivation, but a consensus for innovative thinking education," said Dr. Xu Peng, Associate Professor of GTIIT Chemical Engineering Program. In his view, educators should encourage students to explore their endless inner value, rather than pursuing utilitarianism and pragmatism. As a teacher, he always reminds himself to "be a teacher that students never fear of", and to protect curiosity and accept differences with an open mind.

Rooted in the Technion gene, innovation drives development

Prof. David Gershoni, Vice Chancellor of GTIIT, said that in Israel, the advanced technology originates from education. The Technion, which is known for its innovation and entrepreneurship education, contributes to the country's creation, prosperity and protection. "As the China campus of the Technion, GTIIT will keep the high-standard and high-quality teaching to build up a high-level international university. With the successful experience in Israel, we believe that, GTIIT will be able to cultivate pioneering scientists and researchers with innovation power, provide valuable solutions to boost entrepreneurship and technology transfer, and foster a high-tech industrial ecosystem in China."

"We aim to integrate into the development of the Greater Bay Area and keep abreast with the times, providing students with world-class education in their homeland." Prof. Lin Danming, Pro-Vice Chancellor of GTIIT, pointed out that GTIIT, the representative project of China-Israel cooperation, focused on growing excellent sci-tech talents. He introduced GTIIT's development to participants from the following aspects:

Advantages

• Technion's China campus with innovation DNA of more than 100 years

• High starting point, approved by the Ministry of Education for undergraduate and postgraduate programs

• 100% of the faculty is selected by the Technion according to Technion's academic standard

• Foreign faculty members account for more than 80%, ensuring an international educational environment

• World-class laboratories, the average value of equipment per student is 40 times higher than the MOE standard

• Exchange study network of more than 100 well-known universities around the world

• Respect for candidates' program choice in Gaokao, with an acceptance rate of over 90% for the first program choice

• Students with a GPA of at least 85 can be guaranteed to study at GTIIT (research degree, free tuition, generous scholarships)

Features

• Full English teaching, using original foreign textbooks and scripts

• Students are also enrolled in the Technion's system

• Program offered in GTIIT is exactly the same as that in Technion

• A large proportion of basic mathematics and physics courses

• A high percentage of experimental teaching, undergraduates can apply to join research groups or professorial research teams

• Students can obtain three certificates upon graduation: the Technion degree, the GTIIT degree of and the certificate

Academic Achievements

• The rate of the first cohort with settlement is 92%, which is higher than the national average

• All-English teaching and high-level faculty create international vision and competitiveness, and 80% of graduates choose to study overseas

• 51% go to the global top 30 universities in the world and 97% go to the global top 100 universities for further education

• About 57% of postgraduate program that the first cohort get is research program. Many are accepted by world-renowned universities with full scholarships in doctoral program

• Highly recognized by research institutes. 88% of graduates who choose to work go to research institutes and universities

Pay attention to career education with efforts from all parties

High school is an important period for students to experience important growth and changes physically and mentally and form a sense of identity. It is also the first career-related turning point in their life. Under the background of the new Gaokao, the high school students' career education is particularly crucial. Prof. Hou Zhijin, professor from Beijing Normal University and Distinguished Expert on Career Development and Guidance of the Ministry of Education, shared her experience and insights. "The new Gaokao is not only a task for students, but also for schools, teachers and parents -- how to give personalized guidance to students, how to stimulate students' interest in learning deserve our attention." Prof. Hou believes that career development guidance is not only to help students choose majors and universities, but also to discover and develop their interests, enhance their ability and potential.

"Catch that spark in the students' eyes and encourage them to try what they are interest in." Dr. Chen Fen from GTIIT Career Competencies Center, shared her experience from the perspective of university students' career education. She introduced that GTIIT has set different educational goals for students in the four grades. "Freshman is supposed to adapt the new life and learn to management the time. In sophomore year, students are encouraged to know themselves and the career through career interest assessment and enterprise visit. After the experiences in the junior year, senior year students should take actions to realize their goals."

GTIIT students are ready to pursue their dreams

Yao Zhixiang, a student from Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSE) of Cohort 2018, shared his study and life at GTIIT. He takes an active part in the university activities, grasps opportunities and makes efforts for his goals. By now, he has already received offers from Duke university and Columbia University with scholarships.

"We have a fulfilling academic life in GTIIT. The curriculum has a wide coverage. Besides, we also have front-line research and industry opportunities," Luo Yilun, an MSE student of Cohort 2018 said. During the four years in GTIIT, he not only harvests in the professional field, but also participated in a series of wonderful activities, where he made great memories.

"The rich academic and lab resources are fertile grounds for my passion and curiosity of research," said Zou Yunfan, a student from Biotechnology and Food Engineering in the same year as Luo. She pointed out that GTIIT's "problem-driven" paradigm has created an atmosphere that is equal and free, and can evoke students' critical thinking. She also learned to apply the spirit of science and research to life.

Following the footsteps of the first cohort, exciting news is coming from the cohort 2018. Students are receiving offers from overseas prestigious universities. As of the beginning of March 2022, GTIIT students have received 214 offers of admissions to master/doctoral programs from 66 prestigious universities around the world, 90% of which are global top 100 universities. ETH, the Weizmann Institute of Science, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell university, Columbia University, University of California, Los Angeles, Carnegie Mellon university, Duke university, University of Michigan in Ann arbor, and University of Washington, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Groningen university, National University of Singapore, Hong Kong University and other famous universities have sent offers to GTIIT students. We believe there will be more good news to share with you.

Best wishes to GTIIT's future development

Mr. Li Xiang, Director of Shantou Education Bureau, affirmed GTIIT's development. "As a young university, GTIIT has formed its features and achievements. The first graduates also achieved good results. I am looking forward to the bright future of GTIIT!"

Mr. Fan Shaobin, Deputy Director of the Guangdong Education Examinations Authority, explained the background and principles of the Gaokao reform and discussed the way to develop in such context. Also, Mr. Fan expected GTIIT would have a great further development, and he hoped that through this forum, more high schools and their students could have better understanding about GTIIT.

Mr. Yuan Jingyu from the Jiangsu Education Examinations Authority said, "GTIIT provides pioneering undergraduate education for students. We will recommend more outstanding students to GTIIT and believe that this university has a bright future to look forward to!"

Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs, GTIIT Admissions Office