Future of Higher Education Forum held in Xi'an

Following the release of China’s Education Modernisation 2035 blueprint, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University hosted a forum to explore how higher education can take advantage of developments in artificial intelligence (AI) on June 22 in Xi’an.

Bringing together a range of speakers from the higher education sector, the Future of Higher Education Forum focussed on the ways disruptive technology will transform modern education.

During the event, XJTLU Executive President, Professor Youmin Xi (pictured below) provided the audience with an overview of the University’s ambitions to cultivate the next generation of leaders by developing new models of education.

“We aim to provide two types of education to ensure we develop the kind of leaders and professionals we believe the era of artificial intelligence will require,” he said.

“On one hand, we will continue to develop highly skilled specialists, who have comprehensive knowledge of their field and the ability to apply it practically, whether it be in engineering or accounting.

“On the other hand, we are looking at how we can develop graduates who are not only professionals, but also pioneers capable of leading new industries.

“These graduates will not only have essential professional knowledge – they will have a mindset focussed on leadership and innovation. Right now, there is a lack of this type of training model in higher education internationally.

“Through our new XJTLU Entrepreneur College in Taicang, we will explore this new type of education model further.”

Professor Qiuling Chao, vice president for student affairs and information at XJTLU, led a round-table session on ‘Developing high-quality higher education from the perspective of Sino-foreign cooperative education’.

She said one of the ten strategic tasks put forward by the government in China’s Education Modernization 2035 is to create new ways of integrating China’s education internationally and that Sino-foreign cooperative education is China’s highest level of international education exchange at present.

“XJTLU is continuously promoting the international development of higher education in China,” Prof Chao (pictured below) said.

“At the same time, we are actively equipping our students with knowledge and skills aligned with China’s strategic development.”

Hua Yang, deputy director of the Management Committee of Xi’an High-tech Industrial Development Zone, delivered the opening speech at the forum. Professor Xiaohong Guan, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Director of the Department of Electronic and Information Engineering of Xi’an Jiaotong University; Visiting Professor Qiansheng Jin from the School of Management of Xi’an Jiaotong University; and Dr Hong Yu, Deputy Director of XIPU New Era Development Research Institute, also spoke at the forum.

The Future of Higher Education forum was organised by XJTLU, and hosted by Dr Xin Bi, Director of the University Marketing and Communications Office.

Original story by Bo Kou, translated version edited by Yuanxin Yang