XJTLU unveils new strategic priorities to advance its future university vision

On 11 November, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) announced new partnerships with CP Group and JD Industrials, new AI research initiatives, and a statement of its core values at its 2026 Communications & Media Reception. The event coincided with the University’s 20th anniversary and the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, the government’s national development blueprint for 2026-2030.

In his speech, Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU, set out the University’s vision for its next stage, which it calls “XJTLU 4.0”.

“Ecosystems and Syntegration are key to XJTLU’s future. Looking ahead, we will build education into an ecosystem, engage more closely with society, and embrace AI-driven transformation, while deepening collaboration across industry, academia, government, and society,” Professor Xi said.

Professor Youmin Xi

Dr Xiaoyue Li, Secretary of the CPC Committee and Vice President of XJTLU, said that to build a strong education nation by 2035, higher education must link education, science and technology, talent, and industry into one coordinated chain.

He added that this year’s Media Reception “presented XJTLU’s strategic appraisal and practical roadmap”, setting out the philosophy, goals and pathways for building future universities and offering all sectors a clear reference for understanding XJTLU’s exploration and practice.

Dr Xiaoyue Li

Qian Ni, Member of the CPC Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) Working Committee and Deputy Director of the SIP Administrative Committee, encourages XJTLU to turn its talent and research strengths into momentum for local development

The event was hosted by Tiantian Xu (pictured below), Deputy Head of University Marketing and Communications at XJTLU.

Breaking boundaries

XJTLU 4.0 aims to build a society-wide system for lifelong learning and innovation. It would dissolve the boundaries between universities and society, education and daily life, and learning and work.

As a first step, XJTLU and CP Group, a major international conglomerate based in Thailand, announced a “collaborative innovation community mechanism” built around real-world industrial and social problems. It has five parts: the AI Innovation and Transformation Laboratory, the AI Leadership Academy, the Future Industry-Entrepreneurs Development Centre, the Joint R&D and Industrial Innovation Centre, and a technology innovation award open to the wider public.

Dr Yimin Ding, Vice President of XJTLU, says that in the age of AI, universities and businesses should work together to find new approaches that benefit more people

Xiaoping Yang, Senior Vice Chairman of CP Group and CEO of CP Group China, says the partnership with XJTLU will pair industry experience with innovative education and research to deliver real value for society

New AI initiatives

The University has teamed up with TR Artificial Intelligence Technology (Xi’an) Co., Ltd. to launch the XIPU Institute for Brain-Inspired Cognition and Embodied Intelligence Innovation. The Institute will research how brain-inspired computing and brain-computer interfaces work, develop robotic systems, and turn the results into commercial products.

XJTLU and TR Artificial Intelligence Technology (Xi’an) Co., Ltd. sign a memorandum of understanding

From left: Quan Guo, Director and Co-founder of TR Artificial Intelligence Technology (Xi’an) Co., Ltd.; Dr Yiming Wu, Chairman of TR Artificial Intelligence Technology (Xi’an) Co., Ltd.; Professor Youmin Xi; and Professor Xin Gao, Special Advisor to the Vice President for Academic Affairs

At the event, XJTLU also signed a memorandum of understanding with JD Industrials, a sub-group of JD.com that specialises in industrial supply-chain technology and services. The two will collaborate on embodied intelligence research and commercial applications, jointly deliver Syntegrative Education to train and recruit talent for robotics supply chains, and co-host industry events.

From left: Xingwei Zhou, General Manager of the Industrial Automation Business, BOM Business Division, JD Industrials; and Feng Pan, Vice President of JD.com and Head of the BOM Business Division, JD Industrials, sign a strategic cooperation agreement; Professor Youmin Xi; and Professor Xiaobo Xu, Executive Dean of the College of Industry-Entrepreneurs

In biomedicine, XJTLU announced a Centre of Excellence for AI-Driven Therapeutics. It will build an AI-based drug discovery system that links computer modelling with automated laboratories, and will draw on Suzhou’s strong biopharmaceutical industry.

Professor Xin Gao says AI-driven drug discovery holds great promise over the next five to 10 years, and that technology must reach the clinic to benefit patients and human health

From left: Professor Xin Gao, Dr Yimin Ding, Professor Youmin Xi, and Dr Xiaoyue Li

Professor Christopher Goldring, Vice-President of Academic Affairs at XJTLU, attending the event

Ageing well

As its College of Industry-Entrepreneurs marked its third anniversary, the University also launched the Healthy Ageing & Silver Economy Ecosystem. The “silver economy” refers to products and services for older people. It is the first demonstration project of the XJTLU X-Eco Mall, a platform that brings together talent, technology and industry resources from inside and outside the University.

Professor Xiaobo Xu says the XJTLU X-Eco Mall advances the XJTLU 3.0 innovation ecosystem toward 4.0, further breaking down barriers between education, research, and industry

The XJTLU Spirit

At the end of the event, the University unveiled the XJTLU Spirit philosophy, which can be summed up in three words: originality, innovation, and commitment. Professor Xi said the words capture what has developed over 20 years of teaching and research.

“Originality answers the question of where to go. Continuous innovation answers how to get there. Commitment asks whether you have the courage and ability to see the journey through,” he explained.

At the event, the University also released a three-booklet series, including Executive President’s Voice, Student and Alumni Stories, and Staff Stories.

By Luyun Shi, Bo Kou, Shuhui Li, and Xinmin Han

Translated by Xiangying Han

Edited Patricia Pieterse