CHICAGO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of students from China are visiting Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Midwest U.S. to attend a summer camp program, as the university works to draw in more international students.

Sixty-three students and four faculty members from Northeast Normal University (NENU) in China are visiting the SIU campus for a two-week long summer program to experience the region, test out business classes and get a feel of what the university has to offer, according to the official site of SIU.

SIU said in a press release that the SIU School of Accountancy and NENU School of Business worked collaboratively to offer a joint degree program. Students who complete two years at NENU and then transfer to SIU for their junior and senior year will receive a bachelor's degree in accountancy from both universities.

Andrew Carver, who is overseeing the program, sees this as way to strengthen the students and encourage future enrollment to SIU.

"The majority of these students are currently enrolled at NENU in the first two years of our joint degree program in Accountancy," Carver said. "Their summer experience in our campus will factor heavily in their decision to enroll at SIU as a degree-seeking student."

Of those attending the current summer program, 20 have committed to transferring to SIU in the fall of 2019, while many of the others are still considering their choices.