Event Recap丨Deans’ Open Forum Session 3 at SCUPI Successfully Held
Published on: July 8, 2025 | Views: 9
On June 13th, 2025, “Deans’ Open Forum Session 3” hosted by Sichuan University – Pittsburgh Institute (SCUPI) took place in the multi-functional interactive space N111 at the Jiang’an South Campus of Sichuan University. The event was attended by Dean Minking Chyu, Associate Dean for Student Affairs Ye Li, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs TsunZee Mai, Associate Dean for Research James Lee, and Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Di Liu, as well as staff representatives from various departments. The forum was moderated by student counselor Fan Yang.
The event consisted of two parts: a Q&A session with leadership and an open discussion segment. The Q&A session was based on a pre-event questionnaire survey.
Dean Minking Chyu answered questions regarding institute development, overseas studies, and faculty information. He noted that the current complex and volatile international environment presents unprecedented challenges to international cooperative education. However, he highlighted that undergraduate joint programs generally face fewer policy restrictions than those at the master’s or PhD level. He encouraged students interested in studying abroad to begin their planning and preparation early.
Associate Dean James Lee shared insights on overseas study opportunities for master’s and PhD students within his research groups, encouraging students to actively explore diverse international education resources and formulate comprehensive plans for academic and career development in advance.
On matters of academic management, Associate Dean TsunZee Mai and Assistant Dean Di Liu provided detailed responses. Assistant Dean Liu stated that we have completed pre-exam training for faculty, ensuring standardized teaching and examination procedures. Associate Dean Mai emphasized that a fair and honest examination environment requires the joint efforts of both teachers and students. Both leaders also explained the Teaching Assistant (TA) selection system, stressing that SCUPI adheres to the principles of fairness, openness, and impartiality, employing a rigorous selection process to appoint the most suitable TAs for each course, thereby further enhancing teaching quality.
Associate Dean Ye Li responded to questions concerning student activities and facilities at Jiang’an South Campus. He confirmed that students’ activities would continue this year and called for more students to participate in organizing and attending these events. He also answered questions about dormitory relocations, construction of related supporting facilities, and the booking system for study rooms within the SCUPI building. He invited students to actively participate in campus development and contribute to SCUPI’s growth.
During the open discussion, students enthusiastically raised questions on curriculum design, the construction of Jiang’an South Campus, and the institute’s development. Deans listened attentively, engaged in in-depth discussions, and actively addressed the concerns raised. Regarding curriculum concerns, leaders stated they would fully consider student feedback to further optimize the curriculum system, better meeting learning needs and professional development goals. On the development at the Jiang’an South Campus, leaders detailed the progress of the construction plans and explained issues such as facility allocation and environmental improvements that students were concerned about. Deans emphasized SCUPI’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the development of discipline and faculty team, as well as the cultivation of campus culture, aiming to create an enhanced learning and growth environment for students.
This event significantly enhanced communication between SCUPI leadership and students, strengthened students’ sense of ownership, and embodied SCUPI’s management philosophy of “consultation, collaboration, and sharing”. SCUPI will continue to embrace open, inclusive, and innovative approaches, optimizing educational resource allocation, improving teaching service quality, and adhering to the fundamental principle of student-centered education. The goal is to build a model cooperative education institute with distinctive educational features.