120th anniversary of Xi’an Jiaotong University's study aboard development held in Xi'an
Xi’an Jiaotong University of Xi’an, Shaanxi province in Northwest China, one of China’s top universities, held a review and development forum on the 120th anniversary of its studying abroad and studying in China programs on Dec 21.
The forum venue [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Wang Shuguo, president of Xi'an Jiaotong University, thanked the China Scholarship Council for its support of the university’s studying abroad and studying in China programs and said that the development of universities must be integrated into the general pattern of the times. A first-class university must be a university with a global perspective.
Adhering to the tradition of "for the light of the world", Xi'an Jiaotong University will closely focus on personnel training, scientific research, social services, cultural heritage and innovation, and international exchange and cooperation. While striving to become a "wisdom school town" of science and a technology innovation port in Western China, Xi'an Jiaotong University will further play an important role as a link between the "Silk Road University Alliance" and the reform and cooperation of higher education in the 21st century. The educational contribution of the countries along the Belt and Road brings the wisdom and strength of adult experience, the president said.
Sheng Jianxue, secretary-General of the China Scholarship Council under the Ministry of Education, said that his council has always followed and supported the construction of Xi'an Jiaotong University and the achievements of its "high-level public projects" which rank third among national universities. They also fully reflect the firm pace of Xi'an Jiaotong University and the tide of national reform and opening up.
He then reviewed the history and relevant policies of the state in sending students overseas, and pointed out that studying abroad is an important driving force for the internationalization of universities.
“In order to develop the cause of studying abroad, colleges and universities should not only have a long-term strategic plan, but also constantly stimulate the enthusiasm of returnees, optimize the environment and encourage them to start their own businesses in their posts,” Sheng said.
In 1898, Nanyang Public University, the predecessor of Xi'an Jiaotong University, took the lead in sending the first batch of six students to Japan for overseas study.
In recent years, with the strong support of the China Scholarship Council, the number of government-supported students sent to study abroad has steadily increased, especially as regards graduate students in high-level universities, where historic breakthroughs have been made.
At the same time, more than 2,400 foreign students from 132 countries and regions in the world have attended Xi'an Jiaotong University.
Xi'an Jiaotong University, focused on exploring new forms of higher education in the 21st century, has established cooperation with more than 200 universities in 41 countries and regions, founded Confucius Institutes at Lincoln University in Nebraska in the United States, Liverpool in Britain, and Yamanashi University in Japan and established a number of international joint laboratories and scientific and technological cooperation platforms in frontier domains.
