To comprehensively improve the academic research capabilities of international students, the College of International Education of CDUT held two specialized academic lectures on March 27 and 28. These sessions focused respectively on academic writing techniques and the application of research tools, attracting the participation of over 100 international students.
The lectures featured guest speakers including a foreign faculty member from the College of Management Science and Dr. Han Ni, a postdoctoral researcher from the College of Environment and Civil Engineering. Dr. Han, originally an outstanding PhD graduate in Civil Engineering, was retained as a postdoctoral fellow due to his academic excellence. Both lectures were hosted by Ms. Yang Yue.
Lecture 1: Strengthening the Foundations of Academic Writing
On the afternoon of March 27, the College of International Education organized a lecture on academic writing tailored for international students in the Business Administration program. The aim was to enhance students’ academic literacy, writing proficiency, and research capacity.
Lecture in progress
The session was marked by enthusiastic student participation and lively discussions. The speaker began by sharing practical techniques for academic writing, highlighting the importance of structure, content development, and logical flow. Students were guided on how to conduct effective literature reviews and perform data analysis. A hands-on session was specially designed to help students apply what they had learned. Many participants remarked that the speaker skillfully translated complex methodologies into actionable steps, supplemented with real-world case studies and software demonstrations, which significantly deepened their understanding of academic writing as a systematic process.
Student discussion
Student-lecturer interaction
Lecture 2: Exploring Intelligent Research Tools
The following day, a second session designed for the Class of 2025 took on a more technical focus.
Lecture in progress
Dr. Han Ni began by sharing his own research achievements and used case studies from the field of civil engineering to illustrate scientific thinking and research methods. He then delivered a comprehensive demonstration of advanced editing techniques in office software, followed by practical applications of AI-powered research tools. A highlight of his presentation was an in-depth look at how to effectively use Google Bard, including prompt optimization, multi-turn conversation strategies, and its adaptation to academic contexts. To further support students in their research endeavors, Dr. Han introduced a variety of useful academic tools. He also offered insights into career prospects within the civil engineering field. During the Q&A session, students actively engaged with the speaker, raising thoughtful questions that led to in-depth discussions.
Interactive session
Q&A session
At the end of the lectures, students expressed that they had gained valuable knowledge—not only in academic writing techniques, but also in how to conduct effective research using practical tools. Many reported feeling more confident in planning their future careers. Ms. Yang Yue encouraged international students to stay engaged in academic research and to maintain open communication with their supervisors and peers throughout their studies. The College of International Education will continue to host similar events, providing international students with ongoing support in their academic and professional development, and contributing to the overall enhancement of talent cultivation.
