The 2024 UK-China Joint Institute Alliance Student Leadership Forum was successfully held from November 2-3 at Beijing Jiaotong University, Weihai campus. The forum, organized by the UK-China Joint Institute Alliance and hosted by Beijing Jiaotong University and Lancaster University, brought together 55 student representatives and faculty members from 25 UK-China joint institutions across the country. The event focused on key topics aimed at exploring new dynamics in UK-China collaborative institute models. Di Chen, Assistant Dean of the Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJE), led undergraduate students Yunhang Ma and Yidan Xu to participate. They showcased the academic excellence and vibrant energy of ZJE students, actively engaging in discussions and contributing to the advancement of UK-China educational collaboration.
Personal Reflections – Yunhang Ma
During the forum, I had the privilege of meeting exceptional students from various institutions, which broadened my horizons and forged long-lasting friendships. A particularly memorable experience was the Student Leaders Forum on the second day, where participants were randomly divided into groups to discuss the opportunities and challenges of UK-China joint education in areas such as sustainability, economics, and the environment. For me, this was an invaluable opportunity to reflect on previously unvisited topics, and to voice my thoughts based on personal experience and observations, not only for the present but also for past and future students. The exchange of ideas about each institution’s educational practices was both enlightening and thought-provoking. At times, I found myself deeply resonating with my peers, while at other times, I was surprised by new insights. The experience not only expanded my perspective but also gave me a profound appreciation for the innovative and exemplary nature of ZJE’s educational system.
Personal Reflections – Yidan Xu
It was an honor to participate in the UK-China Joint Institute Alliance Student Leadership Forum. Through the thoughtfully structured sessions and meticulously designed discussion topics, I gained a deeper understanding of the significance of UK-China cooperative education and acquired valuable insights through communication and collaboration. In both the thematic discussions and group workshops, student representatives explored ways to enhance the development quality of UK-China cooperative education institutions. The exchange of ideas broadened our perspectives and provided us a clearer vision for the future development of such educational models. Additionally, working together to tackle challenges fostered strong friendships among participants. The forum proved to be a resounding success, deepening inter-institutional exchanges and helping to build consensus on enriching student learning experience and promoting the high-quality development of UK-China cooperative education.
