Gao Haiyan, director of the Office for Nankai International Academic Exchanges, told China.org.cn that more than 60 percent of foreign students are from East and Southeast Asia, particularly from Korea and Japan.

"But the number of students from the EU and US is increasing steadily year by year," he said. "We hope more students from western countries will come."

Having studied in Nankai for five years, senior student Inove Naoki from Japan expressed his love for the school.

"The sociology of Nankai has a long history in China and I like it very much," he said. "Due to the global financial crisis, the job market in Japan is difficult. So I've decided to stay here after my graduation, because in China there are more opportunities."

He extended his sincere thanks to his teachers and classmates, who have helped him to overcome various difficulties both in his studies and his private life.

He said: "At the beginning, the most difficult thing for me was the Chinese language. But with my friends' help, I have always been able to enjoy life here."

The University now has 22 academic colleges and offers 71 undergraduate specialties, 206 Master's programs, 117 Doctoral programs, 17 Post-Doctoral research stations and 16 authorized primary Doctoral specialties. Jointly with the University of Maryland, it also built its first American Confucius College.

Gao Haiyan told China.org.cn that the university has established broad international connections through exchanges and collaborative relationships with more than 100 international universities and academic institutions.

Rao stressed that Nankai will cast its net further in the context of globalization and upgrade its international competitiveness.