On December 14th, the Seminar on University Internationalization and High-Quality Development of International Education in the Context of New Era Educational Openness was successfully held at the Siping Campus of Tongji University. The seminar was guided by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, and hosted by Tongji University. The event aimed to actively implement President Xi Jinping's emphasis on coordinating the dual strategies of “bringing in” and “going global,” promoting Chinese-style educational modernization, and sharing valuable experiences in China's educational openness.

The seminar was attended by Tian Lulu, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Scholarship Council; Xu Xuejun, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Tongji University Committee and Vice President of Tongji University; Zhou Guorong, Director of the Asia and Oceania Affairs Department of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government; and Wang Tao, Chief Sheriff of Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai. Additionally, over 60 experts and scholars from nearly 40 renowned universities across the country gathered to explore new pathways for internationalization and high-quality development of international education in the new era.

During the opening ceremony, Vice President Xu Xuejun warmly welcomed the guests on behalf of Tongji University and expressed heartfelt gratitude. He highlighted that international education has always been a defining feature of Tongji University. Since its founding in 1907 by German doctor Erich Paulun as a German Medical School, Tongji has adhered to the philosophy of “sailing together in the same boat”, continuously innovating models of international cooperation and building a solid bridge for Sino-foreign exchanges in science, education, and culture.

In her address, Tian Lulu, Deputy Secretary-General of the CSC, acknowledged Tongji University's achievements in international student education and internationalization. She emphasized that international education in China is a crucial part of achieving high-level educational openness and an essential requirement for building world-class universities with Chinese characteristics. Facing a new wave of technological revolutions and industrial transformation, international education in China must adapt, focus on collaboration, and enhance quality and efficiency to foster connotative development. She hoped the seminar would serve as a platform for universities to share experiences and promote cooperation, thereby advancing the national education agenda.

Zhou Guorong, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, reaffirmed the office's commitment to supporting the internationalization of local universities. He expressed the office's intent to provide broader practical platforms, more diverse exchange pathways, and higher-quality management services for international students, comprehensively promoting educational openness and the high-quality development of international education.

Group Photo of Attending Guests

Following the opening ceremony, keynote reports were delivered by Sun Fangjiao, Associate Dean of the International Education College of Zhejiang University; Duan Yuping, Dean of the International Education College of Dalian University of Technology; Chen Yili, Director of the International Student Office of Tongji University; and Zhang Yanli, Party Secretary of School of Chinese Studies and  Exchange at Shanghai International Studies University. Their presentations covered themes such as “Practices and Explorations of a High-Quality Development System for International Education in China,” “Enhancing International Student Education in Line with the National Openness Strategy,” “Promoting World-Class University Development through High-Quality International Cooperation,” and “International Student Education from the Perspective of International Communication.” The keynote session was chaired by Su Kui, Director of the International Students Office at Fudan University.

Themed Report Sessions

The first session, focused on “Paths for Higher Education Internationalization,” was chaired by Jin Quan, Director of the International Office of Shanghai University of International Business and Economics. Wang Tao, Chief Sheriff of Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai, discussed policies regarding off-campus internships and employment for international students in the context of immigration integration. Liu Fang, Vice Dean of the College of Civil Engineering of Tongji University, shared experiences on building a comprehensive internationalized ecosystem within the Civil Engineering School. Lai Huijie, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office of Shanghai University, introduced Shanghai University's strategies and achievements in “bringing in” and “going global.”

The second session, centered on “High-Quality Development of International Education in China,” was chaired by Jin Lijun, Deputy Director of the Global Education Center of East China Normal University. Wang Ying, Vice Dean of College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Tongji University, discussed empowering first-class environmental disciplines through first-rate international cooperation. Dong Jing, Dean of the International Cultural Exchange School at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, elaborated on practical cooperation between universities and enterprises in international student education. Zhu Zhanghua, Director of the International Student Office at Shanghai Ocean University, introduced practices and explorations in the equalization of international student education. Zhu Yanjun, Program Manager of Fudan University's International Students Office, shared successful cases of building international student teams and developing brand activities.

The third session, focused on “Models for National Education of International Students,” was chaired by Sun Yanmei, Dean of School of International Education and Exchange of University of Jinan. Zhang Wei, Dean of International Education College at Shenyang Normal University, delivered a report titled “Strengthening National Education for International Students to Promote Sino-Foreign Cultural Exchange and People-to-People Connectivity.” Li Xiaopeng, Dean of College of International Education at East China University of Science and Technology, shared unique practices and success stories in international students’ national education. Wang Ziqiu, International Chinese Language teacher at Nanjing University of the Arts, analyzed the current state and challenges of extracurricular activities for international students in China and proposed developmental paths and suggestions.

Cultural Performance and Closing

After the seminar, participants attended a cultural performance by Chinese and international students at Tongji University, celebrating the diversity and exchange of cultures and welcoming the New Year alongside Tongji's students.

This seminar not only provided a platform for exchanges and cooperation among universities but also offered new ideas and measures for promoting university internationalization and the high-quality development of international education. Tongji University will leverage this opportunity to further strengthen collaboration and exchanges with domestic and international universities, continually enhance its level of international education, and take practical actions to cultivate outstanding innovative talents with global competence, contributing Tongji's wisdom and strength to the advancement of educational openness.