From February 16^th to 18^th, the 23rd China Annual Conference & Expo for International Education (CACIE) was held at the Beijing International Convention Center. Representatives of faculty and students from QMES were invited to attend the annual plenary conference and a series of activities of the China-Japan Youth Seminar themed “Gather Youth Power and Promote Sustainable Development”.

Supported by the Ministry of Education and approved by the State Council, CACIE is an annual event in the international education sector hosted by the China Education Association for International Exchange. Held every year since 2000, it is currently the largest comprehensive platform for educational cooperation and exchange in China and one of the most influential international education events in Asia. Focusing on the theme of “Reshaping Education: Adaptation and Transformation”, the conference invited internationally renowned experts and scholars in the educational field, as well as presidents of distinguished universities at home and abroad, to carry out exchanges on a number of topics concerning international education hotspots, and set up a platform for educators and representatives to tap their wisdom, exchange experience, strengthen cooperation and share resources. The conference attracted more than 200 universities from around the world. At the plenary session on February 17^th, Huai Jinpeng, Minister of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, and Fu Rong, German Ambassador to China, addressed the conference, at which Germany was the guest country.

(The 23^rd CACIE Plenary Session)

On the morning of February 18^th, the China-Japan Youth Seminar, as the only student-oriented forum in this conference, was held as scheduled. The forum invited faculty and student representatives from 13 Chinese and Japanese universities, including Beijing Institute of Technology, South China University of Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Tianjin University, Dalian University of Technology, Chiba University, Osaka University, Kyushu University, Sophia University, etc. The seminar focused on the three topics of “Sustainable Development”, “Equipment Manufacturing and New Materials” and “Artificial Intelligence” which were discussed from multiple perspectives.

In the sub-forum Sustainable Development, Ma Zhiheng, an undergraduate of QMES from the class of 2021, in view of the national conditions, put forward seven problems to be solved with the theme of “Promoting Sustainable Development with Scientific and Technological Innovation”. He also urged the youth of China and Japan to adhere to the concept of sustainable development and actively build a community with a shared future for mankind.

In the sub-forum Equipment Manufacturing and New Materials, Qu Chang, an undergraduate of QMES from the class of 2020, centred on the theme of “Focusing on Scientific and Technological Innovation to Lead the Future of the Times: An Brief Discussion on the Development of Equipment Manufacturing and New Materials”, discussed the educational strengths of NPU and his own scientific research experience, and appealed the young people of China and Japan to contribute to the development of new materials.

In the sub-forum “Artificial Intelligence”, Li Liangchen, an undergraduate of QMES from the class of 2019, focusing on the topics of “Let Artificial Intelligence Benefit Human Society” and “Let Unmanned System Technology Benefit All Mankind”, shared his thoughts with the participants by referring to NPU’s advantages and characteristics in the field of artificial intelligence and his achievements in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Thanks to the instruction of the teachers, participation of the students and support by the enterprises from both China and Japan, this seminar pooled the scientific research strength of high-level universities, enterprises and research institutions of the two countries, and provided an exchange platform for scientific cooperation, personnel training and achievements transformation. By participating in this activity, the students of QMES broadened their international vision, improved their cross-cultural communication ability and global competency and deepened their understanding of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative. The activity propelled the students to better tell China’s stories, make China’s voice heard, and present a real China that is all-dimensional and prosperous, exhibiting the style of NPUers on a broader international stage.

Under the background that China sticks to the strategy of opening-up and shares its development opportunities with people around the world, QMES, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly studies and implements the spirit of the 20^th CPC National Congress, firmly holds the socialist orientation in running schools, follows the basic law of Sino-foreign cooperation in running schools, and actively responds to the Belt and Road Initiative. By making full use of the high-quality resources of China and the UK and relying on the high-level cooperation platform for international scientific research of materials disciplines, QMES vigorously cultivates top-notch innovative talents with an international vision, a good understanding of international rules, a solid knowledge foundation, strong professional competitiveness, high comprehensive quality, who are able to study and work across borders with the lifelong learning ability and contribute to the NPU’s talent training and construction of the “First-class” disciplines.

Text: Ma Zhiheng, Huang Quanzhang

Photo: Service staff of CACIE

Editor: Tang Yinwen

Translator: Liu Yang

Review: Fan Xiaoli