Global Media Highlights in August

THE ECONOMIST

Headline: China’s mysterious new billionaires are conquering the world

Published on: 20 July 2026

Summary: China’s newest billionaires – mostly under 40, concentrated in consumer goods, gaming, and AI – run global businesses with relaxed management styles, but face government strain, little say in industrial policy, and US-China tensions.

Dr Jiawei Hai, Assistant Professor at XJTLU’s Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Hub, says many want a role in industrial policy but rarely get one, while their global reach leaves them exposed to souring US-China relations, breeding disillusionment and publicity-shyness that makes them Chinas most global yet most enigmatic billionaires. 

CHANNEL NEWS ASIA

Headline: 150 days, 15 countries, 15,000 km: Student cycles from Suzhou to Liverpool

Published on: 22 July 2026

Summary: Luke Rimmer, a University of Liverpool student who studied at XJTLU, embarked on a 15,000-kilometre cycling journey from Suzhou, China, to Liverpool, UK, on 21 July. He plans to retrace the ancient Silk Road across 15 countries with the goal of arriving in time for his graduation ceremony in December.

CHINA DAILY

Headline: What should universities teach when AI teaches?

Published on: 23 July 2026

Summary: China Daily recently reported that XJTLU has been experimenting AI-empowered translators in teaching.

APPLIED TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Headline: An email between Professor Youmin Xi and a Year One Student

Published on: 25 July 2026

Summary: A Year One student wrote to Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU, sharing her achievements and setbacks. Professor Xi responded with advice rooted in his “HeXie Management Theory”, emphasising that university education extends beyond grades to building judgment, adaptability, and creativity, particularly in the AI era.

NEWS CHANNEL AUSTRALIA

Headline: XJTLU’s 20th anniversary alumni cruise lights up Sydney Harbour

Published on: 8 August 2026

Summary: On 6 August, over 100 XJTLU alumni gathered at Sydney Harbour for a two-and-a-half-hour cruise, marking the first Southern Hemisphere stop in the Next Together series of events celebrating the University’s 20th anniversary.

LUMI NEWS

Headline: WOU to host 4th International Conference on Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics in Penang

Published on: 17 August 2026

Summary: Wawasan Open University Malaysia will host the 4th International Conference on Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics on 3-4 November, organised in partnership with XJTLU and other universities and organisations.

TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION (THE) CAMPUS

Headline: Show students why your classes matter

Published on: 17 August 2026

Summary: In their recent article, Andrew Snyder, Bingqing Wang, and Jiayu Zhou, all at XJTLU’s Global Cultures and Languages Hub, argue that boosting class attendance means making classes feel worth attending, not just obligatory. Their strategies include linking content clearly to assessments, grouping students by discipline to keep material relevant, using incentives like feedback and certificates, and running a three-stage intervention (teacher outreach, adviser involvement, and joint meeting) for chronically absent students.

THE CAMPUS

Headline: Help students practise digital mindfulness

Published on: 21 August 2026

Summary: In her article, Chaonan Xu, Language Lecturer at XJTLU’s Global Cultures and Languages Hub, argues that digital mindfulness is essential for student well-being and academic success. She outlines four strategies to foster it: curating study environments to reduce distraction, managing screen time through habit awareness and screen-free hours, prioritising monotasking over multitasking, and taking regular mindfulness breaks and digital detoxes to restore focus and prevent burnout. 

THE CAMPUS

Headline: Why AI makes a growth mindset fundamental for university students

Published on: 24 August 2026

Summary: In her recent article, Ana Li Zhong, Senior Language Lecturer at XJTLU’s Global Cultures and Languages Hub, argues universities should focus less on AI policy and detection, and more on fostering a growth mindset – using AI to build skills, seek feedback and reflect on learning – rather than a fixed mindset that avoids AI or uses it to skip effort, ultimately supporting resilience and long-term academic success.

THE CAMPUS

Headline: Common challenges in academic collaboration and how to overcome them

Published on: 26 August 2026

Summary: In their recent article, Yan Jin, Dr Ye Bai, and Dr Jie Zhang, all at XJTLU’s International Business School Suzhou, argue that successful academic collaboration requires more than goodwill. It needs deliberate strategies to manage endless critique, unclear hierarchies, differing career motivations, and disagreements over AI use.

By Kayla Foniel Johan

Edited by Xinmin Han