Research centre for Internationalisation successfully held a proposal pitch competition

On 18 March, Research centre for Internationalisation (RCI) at AoFE successfully held a proposal pitch competition.The event aimed to provide an interactive platform for prospective applicants to gain a deeper understanding of the objectives and funding procedures of the Centre’s research grants, and to foster collaboration among researchers with shared interests.

More than twenty scholars and practitioners in the field of international education engaged in both in-person and online discussions, contributing to a vibrant academic atmosphere and laying the groundwork for a collaborative research network.

Dr Jian Chen (pictured below), Director of RCI, opened the session by outlining the Centre’s background, mission, and research priorities. He emphasized that the essence of international education lies in building open ecosystems that bring together diverse stakeholders to drive educational innovation and improve the equity and quality of global education. Dr Chen also introduced the Centre’s research funding scheme and encouraged researchers to submit proposals that align with global education trends and tackle real-world educational challenges.

Professor Rong Wang, Deputy Director of the Centre, provided a detailed walk-through of the proposal submission process, including application procedures, evaluation criteria, and review standards. She encouraged participants to focus on fresh approaches to internationalization, particularly those that explore educational models through the lens of diversity and inclusion, with the goal of producing research that informs meaningful change in practice.

Dr Irina Shcheglova and Dr Anisa Vahed, both members of the Centre’s Executive Committee, then introduced the four core themes for this year’s proposal call.

In the final Q&A section, participants explored key questions around project aims, funding mechanisms, potential collaborators, and submission timelines. The event successfully fostered dialogue and connection among researchers committed to advancing international education.

By Xiaoyan Jin and Zhen Ma

Translated by Ruolin Li

Photo courtesy of Zhen Ma