Education exchanges give long-term growth edge

The city of Suzhou is developing itself as a center for high-standard education in East China's Jiangsu province, attracting universities and education institutes from across the globe.

The educational strategy that is being promoted in the city is key to ensuring Suzhou maintains solid international exchanges as well as long-term growth.

Established in 2002, Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District in Suzhou Industrial Park has become a major influence in the development of emerging industries such as biomedicine and big data.

Official statistics show that more than 20 international universities have set up campuses in the district, including Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, National University of Singapore and Skema Business School from France, which have formed a key part of the district's knowledge-based ecosystem.

Among them, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University has won wide recognition for its highly internationalized environment and advanced educational concepts.

Established in 2006, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is an international joint venture university founded by Xi'an Jiaotong University in China and the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.

Xi Youmin, executive president of the university, said that as an independent Sinoforeign university, it captures the essence of both prestigious parent universities.

Skema Business School from France set up Suzhou campus in 2008, and the school also has campuses in France, the United States and Brazil.

Matthieu Dumont, director of Skema in Suzhou, said the city is the best place to set up a branch of Skema because of its strong economic development and great development prospects.

He said that there are more than 17,000 foreign companies in Suzhou, including 92 Fortune Global 500 companies, which provides a good environment for business students.

Marine Moisan, a student in Skema Suzhou, said she will work as an intern in Shanghai after graduation.

"It is a great experience to study in Skema Suzhou, where I can enjoy a good mix of the two sides of China - traditional and modern," Moisan said.

The Silk Road School of Renmin University of China was established in Suzhou last year and mainly targets students from countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, who are keen to undertake master's degrees. There are some 100 students so far.