The 2024 UK-China Joint Institute Alliance Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Transnational Education (TNE) Conference were held on Nov 7-8 at Beijing Jiaotong University’s Weihai Campus. Co-hosted by Beijing Jiaotong University, Lancaster University College @ BJTU, and the Alliance, the event brought together 181 representatives from 38 joint institutes across 63 universities.
The 2024 UK-China Joint Institute Alliance Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Transnational Education (TNE) Conference were successfully held at the Weihai Campus of Beijing Jiaotong University from November 7th to 8th, 2024. This conference was jointly organized by Beijing Jiaotong University and UK-China Joint Institute Alliance, with the Lancaster University College at Beijing Jiaotong University serving as the host. It attracted 181 officials, experts, and professors from 38 UK-China Joint Institute and 63 universities. Participants gathered to explore new opportunities and challenges in transnational educational cooperation, aiming to promote the high-quality development and innovation of UK-China joint educational initiatives.
Consultation and co-operation for the future
The Alliance Annual Meeting on November 7th focused on the sustainable development and future collaboration directions of the Alliance. Members engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as the future development direction of the Alliance, how to support the construction of world-class universities and disciplines, and promoting the integration of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral academic pathways. They provided valuable suggestions for exploring more efficient and forward-thinking Transnational Education (TNE) cooperation models between China and the UK.
The TNE Conference on November 8th further deepened this theme. Gao Liang, vice President of Beijing Jiaotong University delivered an opening speech, welcoming the distinguished guests from various institutions. Subsequently, Gui Li, Deputy Director of the Education Department of Shandong Province, He Pei, Director of the Cross-Border Education Quality Assurance Department of the China Education Association for International Exchange, and Leina Shi, Education Director of the British Embassy in China's Cultural and Education Section, each gave their remarks.
During the keynote speech session, Professor Zhao Yanzhi, President of Shenyang University and Chairman of the UK-China Cooperative Education Joint Conference, and Professor Simon Guy, Vice Chancellor of Lancaster University, shared valuable insights from the perspectives of the development of UK-China cooperative education, enhancing teaching quality, and advancing the internationalization of disciplines. Their contributions provided important guidance for future collaborations.
Multi-disciplinary discussions and in-depth exchanges
The guest interviews and discussion sessions of the conference centered on two critical issues in UK-China transnational education: "Innovation and Sustainable Development" and "Risks and Rewards," facilitating profound and practical exchanges and deliberations. In the week leading up to the conference, the "2024 UK-China Joint Educational Institutions Alliance Student Leaders Exchange Forum" was specially organized. On November 2-3, 55 student representatives from 25 UK-China cooperative education institutions across the country gathered in Weihai to participate in a series of cross-cultural exchange activities. They offered suggestions for deepening cooperation and improving the quality and efficiency of educational initiatives. The outcomes of these activities were exhibited in the form of videos and posters during the conference. Additionally, student volunteers from the Lancaster University College at Beijing Jiaotong University led the attendees on a tour of the teaching and living facilities at the Weihai campus.
Working Together for the Future
The six panel discussions on the afternoon of November 8th focused on key issues in cooperative education. Topics included "Core Challenges in Governance and Operation of Cooperative Education," "New Frontiers in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion," "Safe Collaborative Spaces for Research and Industry," "From Co-Creation to Co-Strategy: Deepening Partnerships in Cooperative Education," "Student Mobility, Progression, and Internships: Enhancing Students' Future Competitiveness," and "Faculty Development: Cultivating Academic Talent." Each discussion was co-chaired by experts from both China and the UK. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on these topics, resulting in numerous collaborative recommendations and action plans.
At the conclusion of the conference, Professor Sue Welburn, the UK Convener of the UK-China Joint Institute Alliance and Executive Dean of the Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, delivered the closing remarks. She highly praised the achievements of the conference in deepening UK-China educational cooperation and innovating collaborative models, expressing great optimism for the future prospects of this partnership.
Moving forward, the UK-China Joint Educational Institutions Alliance will continue to serve as a bridge, providing a collaborative platform for universities from both countries and promoting academic exchange and resource sharing. By persistently deepening cooperation and innovation, and driving the enhancement of educational quality, the Alliance is committed to cultivating more high-caliber talents with international competitiveness. This endeavor aims to contribute to the mutual development and excellence of both China and the UK in the global educational arena.
