07 Jul 2026
Cross-school collaboration prepares future-ready talent for the AI era of professional services
Ten students jointly recommended by the International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) and the School of Mathematics and Physics (SMP) at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) participated in Deloitte’s 2026 “Youth Up” Audit & Assurance Experience Day in Shanghai on 13 June 2026. Accompanied by Yidan Liu and Yixin Zhang from the IBSS Student Development and Support (SDS) team, the students joined outstanding undergraduates from leading universities across China to explore the evolving landscape of the audit profession in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
Competing alongside students from prestigious institutions including Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing University and Zhejiang University, XJTLU students demonstrated strong academic foundations, effective communication skills and excellent teamwork throughout the programme. As a result, eight students received Deloitte's 2027 campus recruitment offers (including both full-time and internship opportunities), with several also recognised through the Outstanding Individual Award, while the remaining two students were awarded a Green Pass, granting direct access to the partner interview stage of Deloitte's 2027 graduate recruitment process. Every participating XJTLU student secured a career opportunity, reflecting the strength of the University's interdisciplinary approach to talent development.
The collaboration also marks an important milestone in XJTLU's partnership with Deloitte. Since the University first participated in the “Youth Up” Audit & Assurance Experience Day in 2024, the number of recommended students has grown steadily—from five participants in the inaugural year, to eight in 2025, and ten in 2026. The growth reflects Deloitte's increasing recognition of XJTLU students and a deepening partnership between the University and a leading professional services firm. The programme gives students direct access to industry experts, helping them understand the future of professional services and develop their career readiness.
Ten XJTLU students recognised by Deloitte
All ten students recommended by XJTLU achieved positive outcomes through Deloitte's 2027 campus recruitment process during the experience programme.
Students receiving Deloitte 2027 campus recruitment offers (full-time and internship opportunities), with several also receiving the Outstanding Individual Award, included:
- Yujie Xia (Year 3, BA Accounting)
- Hangzhen Li (Year 3, BA Accounting)
- Lang Wang (Year 3, BA Accounting)
- Yige Xu (Year 3, BA Accounting)
- Xinyue Xing (Year 2, BA Accounting)
- Shuchen Zhang (Year 3, BSc Information Management and Information Systems)
- Yunxi Chen (Year 3, BSc Financial Mathematics)
- Shanyu Zhang (Year 2, BSc Financial Mathematics)
Students awarded a Green Pass to Deloitte's 2027 partner interview stage:
- Hao Zheng (Year 2, BA Accounting)
- Haoyun Xu (Year 2, BSc Information Management and Information Systems)
The awards were presented by Ms Lanying Mu, Audit Leader for the Life Sciences and Healthcare Industry at Deloitte China and Talent Partner for Deloitte East China.
Exploring the future of audit in the AI era
As one of Deloitte China's flagship talent engagement initiatives, the “Youth Up” Audit & Assurance Experience Day provides high-potential university students with an immersive introduction to the professional services industry while serving as an important channel for Deloitte's campus talent development and recruitment. Participants gain a clear understanding of the audit profession through industry insights, case studies and direct engagement with Deloitte professionals.
This year's programme placed a stronger emphasis on the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of audit and assurance. Sessions explored Deloitte's business development, AI-enabled audit transformation, real-world business case analysis, alumni experience sharing and partner presentations, offering students valuable insights into how digital technologies are reshaping professional services and redefining the capabilities expected of future professionals.
The case competition was also redesigned to better reflect real business scenarios. Rather than assessing technical knowledge alone, students were challenged to demonstrate analytical thinking, data interpretation, commercial awareness, teamwork and problem-solving skills when addressing complex business issues. This evolution mirrors the changing expectations of employers, who increasingly seek graduates capable of integrating business knowledge with digital competence, critical thinking and collaborative leadership in an AI-driven workplace.
IBSS and SMP strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration
With AI, big data analytics and digital audit platforms transforming the professional services sector, employers are increasingly seeking graduates who combine strong business acumen with digital and analytical capabilities. In response to these evolving industry demands, IBSS partnered with the School of Mathematics and Physics (SMP) for the first time to jointly recommend outstanding students to Deloitte's 2026 “Youth Up” Audit & Assurance Experience Day, marking a further step in XJTLU's interdisciplinary approach to talent development.
The collaboration was coordinated by Dr. Nimesh Salike, Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching at IBSS, with strong support from Dr. Ruonan Zhang, Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching at SMP, Dr. Lu Zong, Programme Director of the BSc Financial Mathematics programme, and Dr. Yi Cao, Programme Director of the MSc Financial Mathematics programme. Drawing on the complementary strengths of both schools, the team jointly identified students with strong academic potential and professional aspirations, enabling them to engage with industry leaders and broaden their career development opportunities.
The shift from school-based recommendations to a cross-school model marks an important step in XJTLU’s response to changing industry demands. . By combining expertise across disciplines and strengthening links with employers, the University equips graduates with the knowledge, digital skills and global outlook needed in a technology-driven business environment. The initiative also creates greater value for industry partners by connecting them with high-calibre students from diverse academic backgrounds at an earlier stage of their professional development.
Preparing students for career success through professional development
To help students maximise this valuable learning opportunity, the IBSS Student Development and Support (SDS) team provided targeted guidance throughout the selection and preparation process. Targeted training sessions focused on CV enhancement, group discussion strategies and business case analysis, equipping students with the practical skills and confidence needed to perform in a competitive professional environment.
As part of the preparation programme, IBSS also invited Hongke Huang, recipient of the Outstanding Individual Award at Deloitte's 2025 Youth Up Audit & Assurance Experience Day and an outstanding final-year accounting student at IBSS, to share his experiences with this year's participants. Drawing on his own journey through the programme, Hongke offered practical advice on case analysis, presentation techniques and teamwork, while sharing strategies for demonstrating individual strengths under pressure. His experience provided valuable peer-to-peer guidance and helped participants approach the competition with greater confidence and a clearer understanding of industry expectations.
The initiative reflects IBSS's commitment to integrating academic learning with career development. Through close collaboration with SMP and industry partners, the University continues to create meaningful opportunities for students to apply classroom knowledge in authentic business contexts while developing the professional competencies required for future careers.
Student perspectives
Yunxi Chen, a Year 3 Financial Mathematics student who received a Deloitte 2027 campus recruitment offer, reflected:
"As a Financial Mathematics student, I have always considered data analysis and modelling to be my strengths. This experience showed me how these technical capabilities are becoming increasingly relevant to the audit profession as AI and digital technologies continue to transform the industry. Beyond analysing data, we were challenged to consider business logic, risk identification and teamwork throughout the case discussion. It broadened my perspective on the diverse career opportunities available to students with quantitative backgrounds."
Hao Zheng, a Year 2 Accounting student who received a Green Pass to Deloitte's partner interview stage, said:
"The experience provided an excellent opportunity to connect classroom learning with real business scenarios. Through case discussions and conversations with Deloitte professionals, I gained a much deeper understanding of how artificial intelligence is reshaping the audit profession. It has also reinforced my motivation to continue developing both my professional knowledge and broader competencies in preparation for a career in international professional services."
Shuchen Zhang, a Year 3 Information Management and Information Systems student who received a Deloitte 2027 campus recruitment offer, added:
"My programme combines technology with business, and this experience enabled me to see first-hand how digital technologies are creating new possibilities within professional services. The sessions on AI-enabled audit and the practical business cases highlighted the growing importance of data governance, information systems and intelligent technologies in the industry. They have strengthened my confidence in pursuing a career at the intersection of business and digital innovation."
Advancing industry–university collaboration for future talent development
Artificial intelligence, big data and digital technologies are reshaping the professional services sector and redefining the capabilities expected of future graduates. Beyond disciplinary expertise, employers increasingly value individuals who combine commercial awareness, digital literacy, innovation and an international outlook. Responding to these evolving expectations has become an important priority for higher education institutions worldwide.
The joint recommendation of students by IBSS and SMP to Deloitte's 2026 Youth Up Audit & Assurance Experience Day represents another significant step in XJTLU's efforts to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry while promoting interdisciplinary education. By providing students with authentic business experiences and integrating academic learning, career development and employer engagement, the University continues to support students in building the knowledge, skills and professional confidence needed to thrive in an increasingly dynamic global workplace.
Guided by its student-centred educational philosophy, XJTLU remains committed to expanding partnerships with leading organisations and creating high-quality experiential learning opportunities. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and close engagement with industry, the University seeks to nurture globally minded graduates who possess strong digital capabilities, innovative thinking and a sense of social responsibility, empowering them to make meaningful contributions to the future of business and society.
07 Jul 2026