International connections

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University values collaboration across borders and opportunities to learn from different cultures. Recent highlights of XJTLU's internationalisation included:

• a delegation from a well-known high school in Thailand visiting XJTLU;
• the establishment of the Central and Eastern Europe Centre of the Belt and Road Division in Hungary; and
• a celebration of cultural diversity at XJTLU’s third Culture Dive event.

Delegation from Thailand visits XJTLU

A delegation from Vajiravudh College visited XJTLU recently as part of the University’s ongoing efforts to enhance international collaboration. The College is an all-boys high school in Bangkok, Thailand, founded in 1914. Some of its alumni have become leaders in business, government, academia and the arts.

The Vajiravudh College representatives comprised members of their board of directors and their staff, including the Headmaster, Deputy Headmaster Strategy and Organisational Development, International Affairs Officer, and Advisors.

XJTLU staff hosting the visitors included Professor Qiuling Chao, Vice President for Student Affairs and Information; Dr Xiaojun Zhang, Chief Officer of Education, Team Leader of XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) Collective Leadership Team, and Executive Dean of the Academy of Future Education; Joseph Seet, Associate Professor of Practice at the Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Hub (EEH); Kirsty Mattinson, Head of XJTLU Global; Xiaoqiong (Helen) Li and Shida Chen, both Managers at XJTLU Global.

Professor Chao welcomed the visitors and Dr Zhang gave a presentation on how XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) fosters entrepreneurship and innovation among its students.

Vajiravudh College delegation and XJTLU staff at XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang). Credit: XJTLU Global

The visitors received a guided tour of XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang)’s state-of-the-art facilities. According to Professor Chao, the visit enabled the exploration of potential areas of collaboration and exchange of views on educational practices and strategies.

This visit follows an XJTLU delegation visit to Southeast Asia in February to promote academic partnerships.

College establishes Central and Eastern Europe Centre of the Belt and Road Division in Hungary

Last month, XJTLU’s College of Industry-Entrepreneurs established the Central and Eastern Europe Centre of the Belt and Road Division in Budapest, Hungary.

The Centre will provide customised services for Chinese enterprises interested in economic and trade cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe. These services will include investment consulting and investment banking, trade in services and resource integration, technological innovation incubation, and international human resources training.

Jian Geng, Industrial Dean of the College and Chairperson of F&J International, said that the Centre would prioritise the development of key industries including new energy vehicles and industries, trade in services, smart home appliance manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and science and technology education.

According to the College’s leaders, the Centre aims to create an “industry + education + research + park + integration” ecological service model for the sustainable investment and development of Chinese enterprises in the region.

Jian Geng, third from right, with Chinese embassy and Hungarian business and investment agency representatives. Credit: College of Industry-Entrepreneurs

XJTLU celebrates cultural diversity at third Culture Dive event

XJTLU hosted its third Culture Dive event earlier this semester. Attendees watched presentations and participated in hands-on activities, including making herbal tea blends, crafting bookmarks with pressed plants, and creating woven bamboo bell ornaments.

In a speech, Professor Qiuling Chao, XJTLU’s Vice President for Student Affairs and Information, said the University’s inclusive cultural environment is a unique strength and highlighted its commitment to internationalisation.

Professor Uromi Goodale from the School of Science delivered a presentation on orchids, highlighting the plant’s extraordinary diversity, with over 28,000 species and 200,000 hybrids.

Professor Uromi Goodale. Credit: Jingrui Duan

Professor Eng Gee Lim, Dean of the School of Advanced Technology, discussed foods from his home country of Malaysia, which has Chinese, Indian, and indigenous influences.

Professor Eng Gee Lim. Credit: Jingrui Duan

Matiede Ramolini, a BA International Relations student from Italy, said she appreciated creating her mix of herbal tea.

“I really enjoy the tea I made myself. It’s a great way to learn more about Chinese tea culture,” she said. 

Participants making herbal tea mixes. Credit: Jingrui Duan

Sindre Gumø, a Year Four student exchange student from BI Norwegian Business School, said the activities allowed him to meet other students and staff.

“I enjoyed making plant bookmarks and mingling with people from different programmes. The event has been a fantastic way to learn about different cultures and unwind from stress,” he said.

Making bookmarks with pressed plants. Credit: Jingrui Duan

By XJTLU Global, XJTLU’s College of Industry-Entrepreneurs, Huatian Jin, Luyao Wang and Yaxin Liu
Translated by Xueqi Wang
Edited by Luyun Shi, Tamara Kaup and Xinmin Han