On October 14, 2019, the first activity of “Day Tour to World's Famous Universities” --the Day of the University of Twente in Holland was held successfully in Chang'an Campus of Northwestern Polytechnical University. The activity was sponsored by the Office of International Cooperation, organized by the School of Computer Science and co-hosted by the School of Power and Energy.

The University of Twente (referred to as "UT") is one of the 13 key national research universities and one of the top institutions of higher education Holland. The university ranked 172 in QS World University Comprehensive Rankings in 2019. This activity aimed to further introduce the University of Twente to our teachers and students, so as to deepen mutual understanding and further promote substantive scientific research cooperation and student exchanges between both sides. This activity consisted of three parts: the seminar on "3 +1 +1" seminar on associated students training program between the University of Twente and us; the sharing session of teaching model and experiences of the University of Twente, and the propaganda day for partner.

At 9:30 a.m., both sides held a seminar on "3 +1 +1" program in the meeting room 203 of the School of Computer Science while carrying out campus propaganda in Aoxiang Student Central Square. Maarten Korsten, project coordinator of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) in the University of Twente; Mr. Chang Zheng, representative of the University in China with Hong Zhenyu, Vice Dean of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences; Gao Jun, Vice Dean of the School of Computer Science; Zhou Shigang, Assistant Dean of the School of Electronics and Information; Zhang Shenggui, Director of the Department of Applied Mathematics of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences and other teachers attended the meeting. At the meeting, the two sides conducted an in-depth discussion on the preparations for the spring student enrollment of the "3 +1 +1" program, and preliminarily confirmed the enrollment process, preparation materials, application interview and other arrangements. Meanwhile, the two sides also had a further discussion on the cooperation intentions between the School of Natural and Applied Sciences and the relevant departments of the University of Twente, and reached a preliminary consensus. The School of Natural and Applied Sciences planed to work with the University of Twente on a full range of teacher-student exchanges and research collaborations in mathematics, physics and chemistry.

At 15:00 p.m., both sides held a sharing meeting on teaching model and experiences at the School of Power and Energy, which was presided over by Gao Jun, Vice Dean of the School of Computer Science. Zhang Fuli, the Director of the Office of International Cooperation, Fan Xiaoli, Vice Dean of Queen Mary University of London Engineering School, NPU and Secretaries for Foreign Affairs from other schools in our university attended the meeting. First of all, Gao Jun welcomed the visit of the University of Twente, and pointed out the extensive cooperation and close student exchanges between the university and our university, and this activity would deepen mutual understanding between the two sides. Later, Zhang Fuli, the Director of the Office of International Cooperation, delivered a speech, in which he stressed the long-standing relationship and extensive cooperation between the University of Twente and Northwestern Polytechnical University. On the basis of the existing "3 +1 +1" cooperation agreement, he hoped to further expand the forms of cooperation and carry out student visits, teachers' scientific research cooperation and teachers' mutual assignment between the two sides. In the future, he wished that the two sides can establish overseas offices to provide a platform for exchanges and cooperation. He also indicated that the campus of Taicang, which is under construction, would be completed in two years, he hoped that further cooperate with the University of Twente in the field of emerging specialties would be launched. Maarten Korsten of the University of Twente introduced their teaching model and experiences over the years afterward. He pointed out that the University of Twente has developed its own teaching model over the years, that is Twente Education. With three main characteristics, this model includes modular teaching, students' autonomy in learning and three roles training (researchers, designers and organizers). Guided by this model, students and teachers has broken the traditional teaching model and the role design of teachers and students, it emphasizes the cultivation of students' autonomy in learning. Modular teaching focuses on cultivating students' knowledge application ability, but also strengthening interdisciplinary research ability, which makes students complete learning tasks through specific projects. After the Maarten Korsten's report, the participants had an in-depth interaction with him, compared the teaching and training models and shared the advanced teaching experiences of the two sides.

At 18:00 p.m., the partner propaganda of the University of Twente and Northwestern Polytechnical University was held in the Multi-function Hall of Nanshanyuan International Academic Exchange Center. Liu Xiaogang, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation, extended a warm welcome to the University of Twente and briefly reviewed the history of cooperation between the two universities. Nicholas Brightwell, International Affairs Officer of the University of Twente, introduced the university, followed by Jan Eijkel, Professor of EEMCS of the university, who presented his scientific features and collaboration. Maarten Korsten preached the collaboration between the two universities as well. At last, students who had participated in the Program of the University of Twente were invited to share their experiences.

This activity introduced the University of Twente in Holland to the teachers and students in our university through various forms. The rich content of the activity gained ardent responses from students. As the first invited university to the Day Touring to World's Famous Universities, the University of Twente has always had a close relationship with our university. The Day of the University of Twente has further broaden the understanding of teachers and students to the university and has laid a good foundation for all-round, multi-level and further cooperation in the future. The office of International Cooperation will also carry out a number of days of famous schools in future, and further enrich the connotation of the days to enhance the campus international atmosphere and promote international personnel training and scientific research cooperation.

Article： Wang Ruojia  Auditor: Duan Libing