Chongqing- Recently, Zhao Yufang, Dean of the Westa College of Southwest University has conducted visits and research to communicate with the public deeply. 

 

Not long ago, Zhao was elected as a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC). "This is my recognition and affirmation, but also a heavy responsibility," she said. "After being elected, I feel both excited and concerned."

 

Intensive research, unstopping study, and training have become her work routine. This involves research in a rural primary school in Fengdu District, Chongqing, and online communication with teachers from foreign schools to exchange education experiences. 

 

Zhao Yufang, deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) and Dean of Westa College of Southwest University. (Photo/ Chongqing People's Congress)

 

Upcoming China's 2023 "Two Sessions" will be Zhao's first big test after being elected. What areas will be under her concern, and what motions will she bring to Beijing? 

 

"It's mainly related to education," Zhao said and added that she will offer suggestions on the cultivation of top talents in higher education, the balanced development of urban and rural education, and the opening of education to the world. 

 

For many years, Zhao has engaged in psychosocial and health research with fruitful results. She has presided over many projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Philosophy and Social Science Foundation of China. 

 

Westa College of Southwest University was jointly established by Chongqing's Southwest University, the University of Western Australia, and the University of Tasmania in 2016.

 

In 2018, she started working at the Westa College of Southwest University. With four faculties of biotechnology, electronic information engineering, economic management, and food science, the college has cultivated many creative elites, with nearly a thousand students trained so far. 

 

Through cooperative education, the college has reached leapfrog development and accumulated experience, especially in the introduction of high-level international scientific and technological talents.

 

Zhao said although there are more than 2,300 institutions of Sino-foreign cooperative education projects at present, the number of graduate students is still limited, while the introduction of high-end talent and scientific research cooperation remains insufficient.

 

To this end, she recommended improving the level and quality of Sino-foreign cooperation in higher education and using it as a platform to introduce and train high-level talents and strengthen scientific research cooperation. 

 

Furthermore, she also suggested promoting a special construction of Sino-foreign joint laboratories, encouraging qualified universities, research institutes, and enterprises to jointly apply for it. 

 

"It is necessary to build several platforms and projects, incubate and transform achievements and products, to attract high-level international talents for our country," Zhao said.

 

She continued comprehensive education is inseparable from doing their job well and promoting high-level opening up to utilize external resources.