Oxford Professors Return to XLIS

Oxford Professors Return to XLIS

A Day of Authentic and Insightful Academic Exchange

 

On March 18, XLIS welcomed back two familiar academic partners — Professor. Dmitry Belyaev and Dr. Juliana Dresvina from the University of Oxford. Following their first visit in spring 2025, they returned to campus to spend a full day engaging with students and parents from MYP3 to DP1 (Grades 8–11), offering in-depth subject-focused sessions that were highly interactive.

 

With a deeper understanding of XLIS students, this visit became a more meaningful, face-to-face exchange centered on authentic academic development and long-term growth pathways.

 

Professor Dmitry Belyaev

St. Anne’s College, University of Oxford

Professor Dmitry Belyaev is a globally celebrated mathematician with over 25 years of academic excellence spanning five countries. He has held prestigious positions at Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study. At the University of Oxford, Professor Belyaev plays a pivotal role in shaping future mathematicians, teaching undergraduate students and conducting admissions interviews for St Anne’s College.

 

Dr. Juliana Dresvina

Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford

An accomplished historian and educator, Dr. Juliana brings over two decades of teaching experience across multiple Oxford colleges, specializing in history, English, and study skills.

 

The sessions were run in parallel by subject area. Professor Belyaev worked mainly with students interested in mathematics, physics, computer science, and artificial intelligence, while Dr. Juliana led discussions with those drawn to history, languages, humanities, and psychology. Students chose sessions based on their interests, allowing them to receive guidance that was both relevant and practical for their own academic paths.

 

In the humanities and social sciences sessions, Dr. Juliana tailored her approach to different age groups. With younger students, she focused on building strong learning habits, emphasizing the importance of consistent reading, clear expression, and effective time management, helping them develop skills that will benefit them in the long run. With older students, the conversation naturally shifted toward university applications and future academic development. She introduced Oxford’s tutorial system and, drawing on her years of teaching and admissions experience, shared what kind of academic mindset and curiosity students should demonstrate in the application process. She repeatedly encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and take initiative in exploring their interests, as these are qualities highly valued by top universities.

 

At the same time, in the STEM-focused sessions, Professor Belyaev shared insights from his teaching and research experience at Oxford, discussing what top universities look for in applicants and the different pathways available in mathematics and related fields. When talking about artificial intelligence, he addressed a common concern among students: even as technology advances rapidly, human creativity, logical reasoning, and the ability to tackle complex problems remain irreplaceable. His perspective helped students develop a more balanced and thoughtful understanding of the future of these fields.

 

In addition to the discussions, the event also included subject-specific mock interviews. In a setting that closely resembled real interviews, students engaged in academic conversations, responded to focused questions, and practiced expressing their ideas clearly and independently. They also received immediate, personalized feedback from both professors. This experience not only gave students a clearer sense of how top universities assess candidates, but also helped them understand the importance of clear thinking, depth of analysis, and the ability to respond under pressure.

 

Parents were just as involved as the students, actively participating throughout the sessions. Through conversations ranging from subject choices and skill development to university applications and long-term planning, parents gained a more concrete understanding of the key abilities their children need to develop at different stages.

 

In recent years, XLIS has continued to connect students with world-class academic resources by bringing leading scholars to campus, organizing academic exchanges, and creating learning experiences that reflect university-level study. This allows students to engage with higher-level academic thinking during their school years, helping them better understand both application expectations and their own future direction. This visit, in particular, felt natural and focused, shaped around the real needs of students and parents. Students gained insight into how top universities teach and what they value, while also gaining clarity about their own paths. Parents, in turn, developed a clearer understanding of the core competencies their children need for growth.

 

At XLIS, this is exactly the kind of process we value — bringing the real world into learning, and making every meaningful connection part of a student’s growth.

 

Click here for more details.

 

Author:

University Counseling Team

Bella Yang (Secretary to the Secondary Principal, TOK Teacher, Service As Action Co-Coordinator)