Li Xiaolin, a junior student majoring in internet of things engineering at the college, listened to the deputy prime minister's morning lecture on the role Ireland plays on the global stage and the depth of Sino-Irish ties.

"I'm encouraged by his words and eager to explore the beautiful country on my own," said Li, who will in her final year study at University College Dublin.

She also attended an open day at the embassy of Ireland later that day, and even took a selfie with the Irish deputy prime minister.

"I've benefited a great deal from the opportunity to immerse myself in a foreign culture that the college offers me," said Li, adding that her IELTS score had been lifted from 5.5 to 6.5 after two years of study at the college's all-English classes.

Li is now preparing to apply to her dream university of Imperial College London for her postgraduate studies.

Over 90 percent of the 194 graduates last year from the BDIC went to study in foreign universities for postgraduate programs, says Liu Gonghui, president of the BJUT.

Liu says the college aims to offer domestic students a world-class international education by hiring qualified faculty members from both University College Dublin and the Beijing University of Technology, bringing a multicultural perspective to its curriculum and embracing an open-minded atmosphere.

"Our long-term goal is to build BJUT into a first-class international university through the strategy of internationalization, and the BDIC is a pioneer in the cause," said Liu.

Contact the writer at xingwen@chinadaily.com.cn