Xiao Yaqing (middle) poses for a photo with a professor (left) and Doctor Richard Edwards, Rutgers-New Brunswick Chancellor (right). The Chinese student won respect and applause for her bravery during a stabbing incident [Photo: rednet.cn]

A Chinese student studying in the Business School at Rutgers University in New Jersey, got a thumbs-up from her schoolmates and teachers for her bravery in a stabbing incident, reports rednet.cn

In the afternoon of November 4th, a former Rutgers student broke into an office at the school's Livingston Campus and attacked a professor and a current student with a knife.

According to a crime alert issued by campus police, the former student slashed the two people "without provocation."

Xiao Yaqing from Hunan Province was in the office assisting her supervisor when the incident happened. Watching the professor being brutally hit, Xiao, without regard to the danger, tried to protect her supervisor and even covered him with her own body.

The Chinese student suffered severe injuries to her lungs and stomach, and was immediately sent to the ICU in a local hospital.

The suspect, later identified as Joshua S. Thompson, is now facing two counts of attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Soon after the stabbing incident, Xiao's story spread widely on campus. At Rutgers, the Chinese student is considered a "hero" by her teachers and schoolmates.

A greeting card for Xiao Yaqing with signatures of teachers and students from Rutgers University. The Chinese student won respect and applause for her bravery in a stabbing incident [Photo: rednet.cn]

Her hospital ward has been filled with flowers and greeting cards written to "a brave Chinese" or "Hero of Rutgers." Doctor Richard Edwards, Rutgers-New Brunswick Chancellor, hailed Xiao as the pride of the university.

Xiao, 28, graduated from Central South University of Forestry and Technology in 2006 in Hunan Province. She obtained graduate degrees at Colorado State University and Rutgers University in New Jersey. She started a course of study leading to a doctorate at Rutgers Business School in 2014.

The young woman, who has been already discharged from hospital, hopes to continue her studies as soon as possible.