UC's joint engineering program with Chinese university graduates first class

Yuan Yuchan (electrical engineering '18) came to the University of Cincinnati for just one year of study, but she had been working toward UC for many years.

Yuan, who goes by the name Lotus, is a graduate of the Joint Cooperative Institute (JCI), a five-year program offered by UC and China's Chongqing University (CQU) that offers opportunities to Chinese students to earn degrees in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

Yuan was one of the first 56 JCI students to receive a bachelor's degree in engineering from both UC and CQU at commencement in April.

JCI students spend their first four years at CQU, alternating between internships and classes, then their fifth year studying at UC. This portion of the program echoes UC's co-op program, where students participate in work positions in industries related to their major.

After four years at CQU, students come overseas to complete a senior project and a few final courses in Cincinnati during their fifth year. For her senior project, Yuan and a team of students worked with UC engineering professor Jason Heikenfeld on wearable sweat sensor technology.

Yuan feels this experience has made her a more well rounded student who appreciates the industry insight, interpersonal skills, and professional network she has been able to develop through JCI.

Yuan encourages future JCI students to communicate with others, which she says will help them acclimate to the US as well as solve engineering problems.

"Stay open-minded. Just do what your passion leads you to," Yuan said. "And you will always find success."