XJTLU Research-led Learning Symposium
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Programme Overview
The XJTLU Research-led Learning Symposium (RLLS), organised by the Learning Institute for Future Excellence (LIFE), is a university-wide platform for showcasing learning and fostering academic exchange among students and staff.
Centred on Research-led Learning (RLL), the Symposium encourages students to begin with real-world questions and transform their curricular learning, extracurricular exploration and practical concerns into project outcomes that can be presented, discussed and developed further through research, collaboration, design and reflection.
RLLS looks beyond what students have produced. It places equal emphasis on how they frame questions, organise evidence, connect knowledge and continuously refine and deepen their understanding through dialogue.
Why Participate?
RLLS is more than a showcase. It is an opportunity to consolidate, articulate and deepen your learning.
By taking part, you will have the opportunity to:
Bring together separate assignments, projects or ideas into a coherent narrative that clearly communicates your questions, methods and reasoning.
For example, some teams repeatedly refined their posters to balance academic depth, data visualisation and accessibility, while others transformed complex models into clearer diagrams and more engaging stories.
Engage with projects from different disciplines, broaden your perspective and generate new ideas for research and practice. At the poster exhibition and live presentation sessions, students not only introduce their own work but also learn from approaches in other fields. Previous participants have noted that seeing research on topics such as education, rural revitalisation and technological innovation can spark fresh thinking in ways that reading academic literature alone may not.
RLLS is not a one-way presentation. During the Symposium, reviewers engage students in meaningful dialogue around problem identification, methodology and process, innovation and feasibility, teamwork, reflective practice and presentation skills. These questions and responses turn the showcase into part of the project development journey rather than simply the submission of an assignment.
The Symposium is not the end of the journey. For example, award-winning projects from the 2025 Symposium advanced directly to the semi-finals of the fourth XJTLU Global “Dream-Chasers” Entrepreneurial Competition and had opportunities to receive continued support from Innovation Factory and the XJTLU Entrepreneur College, including project mentoring, resource connections and incubation. For many students, RLLS is the starting point for turning a showcase into real-world impact.
Who Can Participate?
RLLS is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students at XJTLU.
Your project may come from:
Any project that demonstrates the core processes of Research-led Learning—— question formulation, methodological exploration, evidence organisation, teamwork and reflection is welcome.
There are no restrictions on disciplinary background or project maturity. Projects that are still at an exploratory stage are strongly encouraged to participate.
How to Participate
The participation process usually includes:
1.Registration
Submit basic project information online.
2. Submission of Project Materials
Submit materials such as the project poster and team information.
3. Initial Review and Shortlisting
Projects that pass the initial review proceed to the showcase stage.
4. On-site Presentation and Exchange
Take part in the review and exchange through poster exhibitions, project presentations and Q&A sessions.
(Please refer to the official announcement for the detailed arrangements of each year’s Symposium.)
Learning Support
RLLS also offers preparation support to help students strengthen their research and presentation, including:
These sessions are open to all students, whether or not they plan to enter the Symposium.
2026 Symposium Information
The theme, schedule and participation details for the 2026 Research-led Learning Symposium will be announced in due course.
Please check this page regularly for the latest updates.
2025 Symposium Highlights
Theme: AI-Enhanced Learning and Reflection
The 2025 Symposium attracted:
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into learning and research, students explored the relationship between AI and human learning. Their projects presented diverse research pathways across technology application, social responsibility, cultural creativity and business practice.
The Symposium showcased not only the use of AI tools, but also the importance of maintaining a questioning mindset, critical thinking and human judgement in a technology-rich environment.
Symposium Tracks：
For projects involving technology development, intelligent applications, engineering design or fundamental scientific exploration.
Choose this track where the project focuses primarily on technological breakthroughs, tool development or methodological innovation.
For projects addressing education, health, communities, public services or environmental sustainability.
Choose this track where the project responds to social challenges, promotes public wellbeing or improves community practice.
For projects in culture and the arts, creative design, digital media or humanities research.
Choose this track where the project focuses on cultural expression, creative transformation, communication innovation or humanistic interpretation.
For entrepreneurial initiatives, business model innovation, market research or sustainable business practice.
Choose this track where the project focuses on value creation, business solutions, market pathways or entrepreneurial practice.
Designed for projects developed through Year 1 modules.
Projects originating from Year 1 modules may also be submitted to another track where the nature of the solution is a better fit.
Awards
Review and Evaluation
Academic staff from a range of disciplines contribute to project review, dialogue and support, helping to advance Research-led Learning across the University. Through a multi-stage review process, transparent guidance and opportunities for exchange, the Symposium continues to strengthen its academic rigour, credibility and value for interdisciplinary collaboration.
View the Latest Review Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A supervisor is not required, although we encourage you to seek advice and support from academic staff or relevant professionals.
No. AI-related awards are assessed separately and do not affect eligibility for the main awards.
Submissions usually include a project poster, team information form and, for shortlisted teams, presentation materials. Please refer to the requirements published for the relevant year.
Participants may receive university-level certificates and awards, opportunities to showcase their projects, and access to further exchange and development resources.
Contact Us
For enquiries about participation, submission requirements, event arrangements or Research-led Learning, please contact us at lifelonglearning@xjtlu.edu.cn