Zhang Liqun delivers a speech at the roundtable.

The Association of University Presidents of China - League of European Research Universities Presidents' Dialogue. 

Hong Jun gives a speech at the 2024 Global MOOC and Online Education Conference.

From Dec 11 to 15, Zhang Liqun, president of Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, led a delegation to the United Kingdom. During the visit, Zhang participated in multiple meetings, engaging in dialogues with representatives of European universities on topics such as talent cultivation, the impact of technology on higher education, and opportunities and challenges in China-Europe higher education collaboration.

On Dec 12, the China-UK Universities Roundtable and the Launch of the UK Young Envoys Scholarship Programme were held at Queen Mary University of London. More than 100 representatives of 24 renowned universities and educational institutions in China and the UK attended the event.

Zhang delivered a keynote speech on two-way student mobility between China and the UK. He shared XJTU's practices in promoting collaboration and exchanges between Chinese and British universities.

He noted that the XJTU-initiated "University Alliance of the Silk Road" features over 30 European universities, including those in the UK. He highlighted the establishment of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in partnership with the University of Liverpool, which sends over 1,000 students annually to Liverpool to study.

Additionally, XJTU has established a Confucius Institute at the University of Liverpool, providing UK students with opportunities to learn Chinese and explore Chinese culture.

Zhang expressed hope that universities in China and the UK would advance curriculum alignment and mutual recognition of credits, organize international summer schools, and jointly design global innovation and entrepreneurship programs to further enhance collaboration and exchange.

On Dec 13, the Association of University Presidents of China - League of European Research Universities Presidents' Dialogue was held at University College London, engaging leaders from 16 prominent universities in China and Europe in discussions on China-Europe higher education collaboration.

Zhang delivered a keynote speech on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on higher education, sharing XJTU's practices and explorations in applying AI technology in education. He emphasized the importance of deepening collaboration between Chinese and European universities in the field of AI, working together to drive high-quality development with strong momentum.

Subsequently, Zhang, along with other universities leaders, visited the Chinese Embassy in the UK and met with Ambassador Zheng Zeguang.

During the visit, Hong Jun, vice-president of XJTU, attended the 2024 Global MOOC and Online Education Conference, where he delivered a keynote speech titled "Practices and Experiments of AI-Empowered Education Reforms at XJTU". Hong shared XJTU's practices and innovations in using AI technology to enhance education and teaching.

On Dec 13, Hong and his delegation visited the University of Cambridge in the Carlisle City Center, where they hosted a ceremony to present the "Chinese Government Friendship Award" to XJTU Professor Edward Su Jie.

Zhang and his delegation also met with XJTU alumni working and studying in the UK. He offered a warm welcome to the alumni and thanked them on behalf of the university for their continued dedication to XJTU's development.