On June 20, Liaoning University held the 2024 International Student Education Work Conference in Jonathan KS Choi Hall on Puhe Campus. Yu Miaojie, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee and President of Liaoning University attended the conference and made a speech. Huo Chunhui, Vice President of Liaoning University, hosted the conference. Directors of functional departments, deputy deans of schools and colleges in charge of international students, and faculty and students of the Institute of International Education were present.
Yu Miaojie made an important speech on the conference’s main themes. He pointed out that international students should have a good understanding of the Chinese economy when they study in China. The Chinese economy is undergoing rapid development which has made great contributions to the global economy as its second largest economic power. In 2023, the Chinese economy contributed 32% to the global economy, acting as a significant power and the greatest engine in stabilizing global economic growth in a complex situation. In 2023, the growth rate of Liaoning GDP was 5.3%, 0.1 percent higher than the national average level, which was of great significance to the development of local higher education. He also pointed out that Liaoning University, as a ‘double first-class’ construction university, has yielded rich fruits in international exchange and cooperation in recent years. It is a wise choice for international students to study in Liaoning University. He encouraged international students to make educational achievements and know China well, thus making greater contributions to intercommunications between China and countries all over the world.
President Yu emphasized that the standards judging an excellent ‘double first-class’ construction university are as follows: first, whether parents will recommend the university when choosing a university for their children; second, whether the university has a position in the community of international scientific research, and whether its experts will be invited to make a speech on influential international conferences; third, whether the construction of think tanks are strengthened, and whether its scholars will be invited to give advice on key decision-making and specific issues confronting local government, national government and international community; fourth, whether the university can voice positively, conveying positive energy, and lead the trend of the times when facing key heated issues and significant problems.
President Yu continued that in the past year, Liaoning University has made remarkable progress in the construction of a ‘double first-class’ university, boosting its international influence. Through international exchange and cooperation with Russia and Belarus, Liaoning University has established close partnerships with world-class universities and research institutions, conducting many scientific research projects and academic activities. In addition, Liaoning University has actively developed cultural and academic cooperation with rising industrial countries, deepening mutual cooperation in the fields of education and scientific research.
Vice president Huo Chunhui emphasized that all departments and colleges should understand and practice the instructions of the Central Committee of the CPC on accelerating the building of a powerful country in education, promoting the new development of international student education work with coordinated efforts and plausible planning, and striving to achieve the goal of building a powerful university in international student education.
Representative cultivating units made speeches to share their experiences. Li Zhiyuan, Dean of School of Finance and Trade, introduced the history, current situation, experience, difficulties and solutions of international student cultivation. Qu Yi, Director of Confucius Institute Affairs Office, introduced international Chinese teacher scholarship projects and featured projects, which help students master Chinese and have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and society through various cultural activities, in turn providing more opportunities for students interested in Chinese teaching. He also shared experience in making Chinese teaching popular globally and promoting the development of Chinese teaching. Jiang Tao, Dean of Institute of International Education, reported the work of perfecting superstructure design, improving management efficiency, strengthening recruitment, complementing cultivation mechanism, and emphasizing “Chinese situation education”. He also illustrated the current measures and plans on sticking to “coming in” and “going out”, promoting the high-quality development of international student education, serving national diplomatic strategy, and providing intelligent support for Chinese enterprises to go abroad.
As representative tutors, Prof. Gu Aihua from School of Public Administration and Prof. Fan Xiaoxing from School of Physics shared their experiences in cultivating international students. Excellent international student representatives, Amjad (from Pakistan), Myamlin (from Russia), Shioyama (from Japan), Thero (from Sri Lanka), Stahl (from Switzerland) and Khadim (from Senegal), shared their happy experiences and fruits gained in Liaoning University.
The conference concluded with a song named ‘I love you, China’, sung by Chinese and international students, which fully expressed students’ love and blessing for Liaoning University.
