XJTLU in the Media in April

During the past month, XJTLU was mentioned in media reports from domestic outlets including People’s Daily, China Radio International, Xinhua Daily, Yangtze Evening Post, Jiangnan Times, Modern Express Post, and Suzhou Daily.

Researchers from XJTLU have also been included in stories and sought for comment in multi-language media outlets including Times Higher Education, EurekAlert!, Xinhua News Agency, ArchiExpo, FT Adviser, and KOMPAS.

Topics included scientific achievements, JITRI’s first anniversary, students’ stories, student recruitment, and campus life.

1. Scientific Achievements
PEOPLE’S DAILY
Headline: XJTLU researchers found low zinc concentration in soil may increase Covid-19 fatalities
Published on: 1 April 2022

Summary: A research team from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University recently investigated the association between concentrations of zinc, selenium, iron and copper in surface soils and the case fatality rate of Covid-19 in the USA. Their finding suggests that zinc deficiency may affect the severity of Covid-19.

SUBAONET
Headline: Energy consumption decreases by more than 50%! XJTLU researchers develop a new model for train timetabling
Published on: 28 March 2022

Summary: Recently, Researchers at XJTLU’s Department of Civil Engineering created a new method of calculating metro train timetables to optimise energy consumption. Dr Yida Guo, the first author of the study, says the model decreases energy consumption by more than 50%.

This news was also reported by Xinhua Daily and Yangtze Evening Post.

2. JITRI’s First Anniversary
MODERN EXPRESS POST
Headline: XJTLU-JITRI Academy celebrates one year: putting postgraduate students at the forefront of industry
Published on: 11 April 2022

Summary: XJTLU-JITRI Academy of Industrial Technology celebrated its first anniversary on 9 April. XJTLU and Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI) jointly established the Academy in 2021.

Professor Fei Ma, Executive Dean of the Academy and XJTLU’s Associate Vice President for Research and Impact, says the Academy has achieved goals in combining postgraduate education, enterprise requirements, technological innovation, and economic development. “We put students at the forefront of industry to learn from it and get results for their masters or doctoral research projects.”

This news was also reported by Yangtze Evening Post and Jiangnan Times.

3. Students’ Stories
YANGTZE EVENING POST
Headline: An interview with a 23-year-old director: graduation project won international film awards
Published on: 20 April 2022

Summary: The Guppy’s Death, a short film directed by Yi Han, a graduate of XJTLU’s School of Film and TV Arts has been shortlisted for more than 10 film festivals, including Berlin International Art Film Festival, and won the Best Short Film Award at the Halicarnassus Film Festival.

This news was also reported by Xinhua Daily.

YZNEWS
Headline: This post-90s guy is happy to be a “hometown recommendation officer”!
Published on: 20 March 2022

Summary: Danchen Yan, an XJTLU graduate, took a series of videos on the beautiful scenery in Yangzhou. His videos have exceeded one million views on TikTok in total. “I grew up in Yangzhou, and I want to use my camera to show people my favourite city,” he says.

4. Student Recruitment
SUZHOU DAILY
Headline: University students share how they prepared for the college entrance examination
Published on: 28 March 2022

Summary: Recently, Suzhou Daily interviewed three university students in Suzhou. Haoran Wu, a Year Two student in BSc Applied Mathematics, shared how he prepared for the college entrance examination, and encouraged high school students to try their best despite the pandemic.

CHINA RADIO INTERNATIONAL
Headline: Dr Qijian Xie from XJTLU: Keep a clear mind, and hold on to your beliefs
Published on: 31 March 2022

Summary: China Radio International (CRI) recently launched a series of talks on college admission and exam preparation. Dr Qijian Xie, Director of the Centre for Student Affairs at XJTLU, was invited to explain the latest admission policies, and help students prepare for the college entrance examination.

5. Campus Life
XINHUA DAILY
Headline: XJTLU hosts the sixth MSI conference
Published on: 16 April 2022

Summary: Recently, XJTLU held the sixth Thought Leaders’ Conference of Marketing Science and Innovation (MSI 2022). More than 300 experts and scholars in business administration from around the world attended the event virtually and discussed digital technology, management innovation and customised strategies in depth.

This news was also reported by Yangtze Evening Post and Sina Corporation.

6. XJTLU in Multi-Language Media
EL ESPAÑOL
Headline: Sixty high school students seek glory in the Mathematical Olympiad
Published on: 24 March 2022

Summary: Recently, more than 60 high school students attended the local phase of the XIII Spanish Olympiad of Economics at the University of Valladolid. The top five finishers will participate in the international phase organised by Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

SUPCHINA
Headline: Global biodiversity is collapsing. What is China doing to bend the curve of nature loss?
Published on: 24 March 2022

Summary: As one of 17 mega-biodiversity countries in the world, China has been working steadily to protect its biodiversity through a host of policies and measures. If the situation permits, the 15th United Nations biodiversity conference (COP15) will take place later this year in Kunming.

Commenting on COP15, Dr Lingyun Xiao from the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences says that the core theme in the framework is a target of “30 by 30”, which means conserving 30% of Earth’s land and waters by 2030.

TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION
Headline: Machine translation: the questions educators need to ask
Published on: 30 March 2022

Summary: Language translation software is a widely used tool. Andy McIntosh at XJTLU’s English Language Centre highlights some practical and ethical considerations regarding how it is used by students learning in a second language, and the challenges it presents to the teachers.

XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
Headline: Research explains coexistence of humans, snow leopards in NW China
Published on: 2 April 2022

Summary: In her new study, Dr Lingyun Xiao at the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences explores the possible impact of livestock grazing (particularly yak and sheep) on the snow leopard and its prey, and how humans can coexist with wild animals.

Dr Xiao says: “We usually think that to protect large carnivorous wild animals, we need to provide them with a very large area. But through this study, it is found that even for large mammals like the snow leopard, what they need is just those rocky mosaics scattered across herders’ pastures.”

This news was also reported by China.org.cn, Technology Times, Earth.com, Environmental News Network, SCIENMAG, and Antara News in Indonesian.

ARCHIEXPO E-MAGAZINE
Headline: Q&A: Design and Build Challenges for Sustainable Houses in Zhangjiakou
Published on: 6 April 2022

Summary: Led by XJTLU and composed of partners from China and the US, Y-Team created a fully solar-powered house in Zhangjiakou, one of the main 2022 Winter Olympics events sites.

Dr Marco Cimillo, Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching at XJTLU’s Design School, served as the faculty lead of the interdisciplinary team. He says the sustainable design has resulted in distinctive architectural outcomes and user experiences.

“The house has a multi-layered architectural envelope that includes the main structure in laminated bamboo, which is a natural low-impact material,” says Dr Cimillo. “And the house can be built in different climates by adapting the current configuration.”

TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION
Headline: Boosting student engagement in an online learning environment
Published on: 12 April 2022

Summary: Lack of student engagement creates challenges when language learning moves online. Yuyang Zhao at XJTLU’s English Language Centre found some strategies effective in creating an interactive environment.

She says: “Let students know what is expected of them in advance. Create an environment in which student agency is well supported, and provide clear and concise instruction. Educators need to embrace shifting circumstances, especially during difficult and challenging times.”

EUREKALERT!
Headline: The shape of things to come: tropical birds are changing because of us
Published on: 14 April 2022

Summary: A new study has shown that human activity on Hainan island has led to biotic homogenisation in birds, with communities and species becoming increasingly similar.

Dr Emilio Pagani-Núñez, Assistant Professor at XJTLU’s Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, says: “There is hope for biodiversity, that economic growth and enhanced biodiversity conservation are possible. However, a price will be paid, and it is our duty to prevent such negative effects by developing targeted policies on especially diverse or sensitive ecosystems and communities.”

This news was also reported by UK Today News, Flipboard, Eurasia Review, PHYS.ORG, SCIENMAG, NewsBreak, infobae, EcoDebate in Portuguese, and Naver News in Korean.

KOMPAS
Headline: Ready to Face Tough Competition in the World of Work, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Provides Students with World Class Education
Published on: 14 April 2022

Summary: Recently, Kompas featured XJTLU as a leading international university in China. Alumni from Indonesia spoke about how studying at XJTLU gave them a competitive edge when job hunting, especially with companies who have dealings with China.

WORLD CONSTRUCTION TODAY
Headline: Digital building platform service provider, XJTLU sign MoU
Published on: 14 April 2022

Summary: Recently, XJTLU signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Glodon, a digital building platform service provider, in an online signing ceremony. The MoU was signed with the aim of enhancing collaboration to increase digital awareness in architecture, engineering, and the construction sector, and to contribute to a better-built environment.

FT ADVISER
Headline: China’s mega wind farm set to woo investors
Published on: 21 April 2022

Summary: Recently, China revealed plans to build a mega wind farm in the Gobi Desert to further combat climate change. Dr Geoffrey Chen, Department Head of XJTLU’s China studies, says: “In terms of manufacturing, domestic wind and solar power equipment manufacturers have rapidly built up their knowledge through using foreign-sourced technologies.”

TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION
Headline: Developing a faculty-IT partnership for seamless teaching support
Published on: 22 April 2022

Summary: Dr Xin Bi, director of the Centre for Knowledge and Information and the XJTLU Learning Mall, explains a simple way to ensure quicker and more transparent handling of technical hiccups – an instant messenger IT support chat channel that includes all IT managers and engineers and is open to all academic staff.

By Xinmin Han
Edited by Patricia Pieterse