Academy of Future Education students explore education innovation at uwc changshu and neusoft shanghai

On 19 March, Academy of Future Education led a group of 40 postgraduate students in a dynamic “University-Industry Exchange Day.” Participants from the Global Education, Child Development and Family Education, and Digital Education programmes visited United World College (UWC) in Changshu and tech giant Neusoft Corporation in Shanghai.

The visit followed a dual-track model combining exposure to a world-renowned international school and a leading education technology company. At UWC, students observed progressive global teaching practices up close, while the Neusoft tour offered a glimpse into the forefront of education-technology integration. An alumni sharing session added a career-development dimension, linking educational theory, industry experience, and professional planning—all of which deepen students’ professional insight and expand their future pathways.

Group photo at UWC

At UWC, Principal Simon Head welcomed the visitors and shared the school’s mission of “peace and sustainability.” Ms. Ping Li, Head of the Chinese Department and an IBOP Chinese teacher, provided a detailed comparison of AP, A-Level, and IB systems, emphasizing the unique strengths of the IB curriculum. Kelvin Ofosu, Director of UWC’s STEM Teaching Fellow Program, described the initiative as a platform for nurturing future educators through classroom practice, curriculum research, and one-on-one mentoring.

Students actively engaged in discussions about curriculum design and instructional models. UWC student representatives also shared their experiences, highlighting the benefits of intercultural engagement and hands-on learning. These accounts brought the school’s international ethos to life for the visitors.

Jin Shi, a graduate of the Global Education programme at the Academy of Future Education and now a mathematics teacher at UWC, spoke about her transition into the profession. “The student-centered philosophy at the Academy prepared me well for UWC’s teaching approach,” she said. She highlighted how her training in independent learning and critical thinking helped her stand out during the recruitment and adapt quickly to international classrooms.

Jin Shi shares her experience

She credited the Academy for offering platforms where she engaged with education professionals early in her studies. “Those conversations broadened my perspective and helped me build confidence in applying inquiry-based teaching methods in real classrooms,” she said, adding that she now tailors lessons to meet the needs of students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Shi also reflected on her participation in UWC’s global teacher exchange programme, where she collaborated with educators from around the world.

Another XJTLU alumna, Jiayue Fan, discussed her role in coordinating resources and supporting campus operations in a multicultural context. Her position has given her deep insight into international education management and the importance of responsive, culturally aware leadership.

Jiayue Fan shares her insights

In the afternoon, the group visited Neusoft Corporation in Shanghai, a trailblazer in the integration of education and technology. Company representatives guided the group through the innovation exhibition space and shared recent achievements in areas such as education digitalization and smart campus development.

Group photo with Neusoft team in Shanghai

Tong Zhang, Director of Human Resources at Neusoft’s Shanghai branch, introduced the Apollo Innovation Lab, which focuses on integrating generative AI into human resource systems. The goal, she said, is to build innovative, data-driven HR solutions.

Jun Chen, Deputy Director of Consulting for East China, presented the Neusoft Smart Education Platform V3.0—a comprehensive digital platform designed for universities. Built around a student-centered and outcome-based philosophy, the system enhances the full teaching and learning process by enabling personalized content, real-time progress tracking, and optimized resource allocation across teaching, administration, training, and assessment.

In addition, Neusoft has become an active participant in industry-education integration. By co-developing academic programmes and industry colleges with universities, Neusoft brings real-world projects into classrooms, helping students gain practical experience with cutting-edge technologies and workflows—preparing them to transition smoothly into professional roles after graduation.

Participants said the experience was eye-opening and inspiring. Many reported a deeper understanding of education trends and renewed clarity about their career goals. Guangyu Yang, the Academy of Future Education’s Career Development Coordinator, shared that the Academy will continue to organize similar events to strengthen partnerships between universities and enterprises, fostering a culture of innovation and professional growth in education.

By Luyao Yan

Edited by Xiaoyan Jin

Translated by Ruolin Li

Photo courtesy of Luyao Yan