26 Sep 2024
On September 20, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) officially welcomed the second cohort of students to its Doctor of Education (EdD) programme. This year’s admission process attracted a large number of applicants, including many experienced practitioners with extensive careers in the education sector. After a rigorous selection process, 19 candidates were admitted to the 2024 summer intake.
“Over the 18 years since its founding, XJTLU has upheld the noble mission of advancing educational reform and contributing to the global development of education. Through our carefully designed Education Models 1.0, 2.0, and the latest 3.0, we aim to lay a solid foundation for educational transformation, guiding students beyond traditional boundaries and leading education into the future,” he noted.
Professor Xi highlighted the growing significance of personalised lifelong learning, interest-driven education, and the creation of innovative ecosystems as key trends shaping the future of education. In response to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), he encouraged educators to embrace these technologies to reshape the educational landscape, enabling intelligent, personalised, and efficient learning experiences that will nurture innovative talents equipped for the demands of the future.
Professor Adam Cross, Associate Vice President of XJTLU (pictured below), introduced the university’s facilities, the structure of the EdD programme, academic support systems, and its rigorous assessment standards. “XJTLU is committed to providing students with world-class learning environments and resources. Our teaching team brings together professionals from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds. The programme is designed to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application, enabling students to build a strong academic foundation while refining their professional skills. We hope each learner will take an active role in their studies and continuously strengthen their critical thinking abilities throughout their learning journey,” he said.
Dr Lanze Vanermen from the Academy of Future Education introduced the Future Education Reading Group, encouraging students to engage with cutting-edge literature to expand academic horizons and strengthen their research foundations.
From the Student Development Advisory Centre, Qiaodi Zhang presented the comprehensive guidance and support services available to students: “As advisors, coordinators, and specialists, we integrate on- and off-campus resources to provide diversified support, including individual consultations, community building, resource coordination, emergency response, and career guidance. We also connect students with academic support, public resources, student affairs offices, and one-stop service centres to promote holistic development.”
Dr Trevor Mahy from the XJTLU Language Centre detailed the English language support system for EdD students: “We provide comprehensive and in-depth language support for students in the two key areas of teaching and research in the EdD program. Specifically, we will be planning and organizing a series of workshops focusing on academic report writing skills and literature comprehension, as well as providing a variety of self-study materials. We hope that every student will take advantage of these workshops and book a one-on-one counseling session in order to improve all aspects of their English language learning.”
Professor Rong Wang, Director of the EdD Program at XJTLU, highlighted: “Our cohort of new students brings diverse academic backgrounds. The EdD program features a structured curriculum with clearly defined milestones. It emphasizes not only academic rigor but also hands-on research and leadership development. XJTLU provides comprehensive support—including academic mentoring, resource access, and psychological counseling—to ensure every student progresses both academically and professionally, ultimately contributing to future educational innovation.”
Dr Juliana Tay from The Academy of Future Education of XJTLU emphasized the importance of making the most of university resources. She suggested developing a personalized learning plan that combines self-study courses with mentorship to bridge knowledge gaps. Implementing the plan consistently, while reflecting and updating it as appropriate, ensures a precise growth path. In addition, she encourages seizing opportunities to engage in collaborations using critical thinking and gaining hands-on research experience to build a solid foundation for future development.
During the orientation session, Biying Wen, a current PhD student at the Academy of Future Education, along with current EdD candidates Yuhong Zhao and Sizhe Wang, shared their valuable experiences in academic research, career development, and maintaining work-life balance, offering practical advice to help new students plan their academic journeys.
Addressing the common challenge of balancing study and professional commitments, Sizhe Wang commented: “PhD students should learn to manage their time efficiently and make good use of fragmented time to study, so as to enhance their academic efficiency. Meanwhile, XJTLU's innovative online and offline hybrid teaching model, with its flexibility, greatly facilitates the rational arrangement of study time and creates an ideal and inclusive learning environment for all doctoral students.”
By Xiajie Gong
Edited by Xiaoyan Jin
Photo courtesy by Zihan Ni
Translated by Sichen Fan
26 Sep 2024