To help students access a wealth of overseas educational resources and improve their English proficiency, while also broadening their perspectives on global education and career planning, SWUFE-UD Institute of Data Science at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE) has continued its theme series, “Faculty Keynote Speech.” This series invites faculty members from the University of Delaware (UD) to provide academic guidance and share experiences on various topics, enhancing SWUFE students' international outlook and providing diverse quality resources from abroad.
In October 2023, we successfully held three theme-sharing sessions featuring three esteemed professors from UD, which received wide acclaim and active participation from SWUFE students. Let’s take a look back at these events!
Bintong Chen: “PhD Programs and Academic Research”
Professor Chen, who earned his master's in Systems Engineering and PhD in Decision Science from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, is currently a professor and the director of the Institute for Financial Services Analytics at the University of Delaware.
On October 10, Professor Chen deeply introduced the PhD program in Financial Services Analytics at UD and discussed questions such as "Should I pursue a PhD?" and "How do I apply for one?" Before the session, he invited students to share their personal academic plans to better understand their aspirations. His bilingual sharing of his academic journey, including how he got into a top business school and his motivation to become a professor, provided valuable insights to the students. By the end of the two-hour session, students benefited greatly from Professor Chen’s insightful sharing and constructive answers to their questions.
Rick Andrews: “The Importance of International Education for Personal Growth and Career Development”
Professor Rick Andrews is a professor of Marketing in the Department of Business Administration at the University of Delaware, with over thirty years of extensive work experience. His research areas include market research, statistics, and business analytics.
On October 17, Professor Andrews shared his educational experiences, starting with an introduction to the UD - its courses, campus environment, and history. He highlighted the University as the first in the U.S. to offer overseas exchange programs and shared his insights on suitable exchange opportunities and master’s programs for SWUFE students. As a first-generation college student, he recognized the transformative impact of education on personal trajectories and has since been dedicated to fostering international academic exchanges and research, traveling extensively to countries like India and China.
At the end of the session, Professor Andrews provided thoughtful answers to students' questions about study and career planning, fostering deep discussions and exchange between him and attendees.
S. Ismat Shah: “The World as a Classroom”
Professor Ismat earned his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1986. After 12 years as a senior scientist at DuPont Company, he currently holds joint appointments in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Delaware.
On October 24, Professor Ismat focused on three themes: learning, traveling and teaching. He discussed his motivation for studying energy ecology and pursuing a PhD despite challenging circumstances. As a travel enthusiast, he has visited 92 countries. During the session, he shared interesting experiences in different countries and emphasized the significance and value of global exploration. He actively linked travel with energy studies and detailed the University of Delaware’s environmental energy program.
At the end of the event, students eagerly asked Professor Ismat questions and engaged in lively discussions.
Through this month’s “Faculty Keynote Speech” series, our students gained valuable insights into their personal learning journeys and future life planning. The activities will continue, and we look forward to welcoming you to join us!
Editor: ZHAO Xiaoyu
Proofreading: LI Zeyu
