Case Study 6 — Building an International Education Pathway for Chinese STEM Graduates

Challenge:
A leading Chinese engineering university wanted to create a structured overseas study and internship pathway for its top STEM students. The goal was to strengthen the university’s international reputation, improve graduate employability in global markets, and foster research partnerships with foreign institutions. However, the university lacked an established network of trusted overseas partners, struggled with aligning curricula to international program requirements, and needed guidance on navigating complex visa and internship regulations in multiple countries.

Agora’s Role:
Agora began by mapping the university’s strongest academic departments and matching them with overseas programs in Europe, the UAE, and North America that aligned with those specialties. We negotiated formal academic agreements with three foreign universities, securing spots for the top 5% of students in advanced degree programs. We also partnered with multinational engineering firms to reserve internship placements for students during or after their overseas studies. To streamline the process, Agora established a centralized application and visa support system within the university, including IELTS/TOEFL prep, personal statement workshops, and cultural orientation sessions.

Outcome:
In the first year, 52 STEM students were successfully placed in high-ranking overseas institutions, including programs at TU Delft, University of Toronto, and Politecnico di Milano, with 60% receiving partial scholarships. Nearly all graduates secured international internships, and several received job offers before completing their studies. The program boosted the university’s QS global ranking in employability metrics and attracted interest from additional foreign institutions seeking similar partnerships.