Competition focuses on reshaping learning and teaching

The second Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University annual teaching innovation competition, part of the University’s Annual Conference for Higher Education Innovation, attracted more than 70 competitors from higher education institutions across China.

The competition, organised by the Institute of Leadership and Education Advancement Development (ILEAD) at XJTLU and supported by Macao Tong Chai Charity Association, saw the top 19 entrants give presentations on the theme of ‘Reshaping learning and teaching models’.

Each entrant presented on their own teaching methods and answered questions from an expert panel of peers from the education sector.

Dr Bing Chen from the Department of Urban Planning and Design at XJTLU won the first prize. He said: “The competition provided me with a platform to communicate with and learn from peers from other institutions, and the prize is a great encouragement for me.”

Jiwei Shen from Nanjing University of Science and Technology ZiJin College, and a team comprised of Jing Chen from the School of Arts at Zhejiang International Study University and Ailing Song from Southwest Jiaotong University, won the second prize.

Xiaohan Zhu from Zhengzhou University of Light Industry won the special award for Sino-foreign cooperative joint ventures, and Southwest Jiaotong University won the teaching innovation organisation award.

Dr Xiaojun Zhao, deputy director of ILEAD, said: “This year we conducted an on-site survey at each participant’s university. This is a new addition which greatly enhanced our ability to judge the participants’ work.”

Professor Xuexin Zhang, one of the judges who is from the Department of Psychology at Fudan University, said: “In the context of reforming undergraduate education, to improve education quality is essential. XJTLU’s efforts will greatly benefit a large number of our academic staff.”

He added that he hopes the competition will become a leading one in the field of higher education innovation in China.

Professor Youmin Xi, executive president of XJTLU, offered his comments: “XJTLU gathers people who are creative in teaching innovation and who are willing to engage in education to shape communities. We hope to promote education reform in China and to improve the quality and value of teaching.”