YNU joins journal Nature to offer online masterclasses

A series of online masterclasses currently being offered to students free of charge by Yunnan University – in cooperation with the international and prestigious academic journal Nature – will run through to March 1.

The International Cooperation and Exchange Office of Yunnan University, or YNU – located in Kunming, capital of China's Southwest Yunnan province –cooperated with Nature to offer the program.

Nature is affiliated to the US-based Springer Group, a science and technology publisher of leading academic journals and science and technology books. Both YNU and Nature introduced and independently developed the platform.

The courses mainly comprise hands-on pre-recorded lectures delivered by editors at Nature, as well as internationally renowned university professors, scientists from top research institutions, funding agencies and industry professionals.

The program helps students master necessary skills for their career development – such as how to write papers, apply for jobs and how to make speeches.

Recently, the platform added a new course called Finding Funding Opportunities to the original 11 courses such as effective scientific research cooperation, among other things.

Courses are available in a variety of formats – including videos, texts and interactive content such as quizzes and matching games. After-class summaries and references are not only rich in reading material, but also offer invaluable learning examples.

On completion of each course, students can download a certificate of study issued by Magdalena Skipper, editor-in-chief of Nature, as proof of their training.

An example of a certificate that is sent out after a student finishes the course for Persuasive Grant Writing. [Photo/WeChat account of International Cooperation and Exchange Office of Yunnan University]

If you have any questions about using the platform, you can contact the office on:

Tel: 0871-65033815

Email: heting@ynu.edu.cn