GEC Academy Takes the Lead: Hosts International Education Forum on Innovation Talent Cultivation & Global Competence Development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration!
In a momentous event held on June 30th, the International Education Forum on Innovation Talent Cultivation and Global Competence Development took center stage in Beijing. Organized by GEC Academy in collaboration with the Beijing Education Association for International Exchange, the forum brought together an impressive lineup of educational leaders and experts. With strong collaborative support from GEC Academy and SJTU - GEC Center of Innovative Design for Interdisciplinary Studies, and Oxford AQA, this gathering of minds aimed to explore and deepen the understanding of crucial educational themes.
Under the expert guidance of Mr. Haibo Wang, COO of GEC Academy, the forum brought together more than 300 esteemed educators, university leaders, teachers, and experts, fostering an immersive environment for vibrant and enlightening conversations. The diverse topics covered included global competence development, interdisciplinary talent cultivation, strategies for fostering student creativity, and the expanding global influence of higher education institutions.
The forum commenced with guest speeches from Mr. Kan Huang, President of the Beijing Education Association for International Exchange, and Mr. Sheng Yan, President of GEC Academy. They emphasized the importance of embracing international education and fostering globally competent individuals in response to the changing dynamics of the world.
Mr. Huang underscored the significance of actively embracing the new global landscape and seamlessly integrating international education throughout the talent cultivation process. He stated, "To navigate globalization successfully, we must proactively adapt and organically incorporate international education."
Mr. Sheng Yan, in his remarks, highlighted that the cultivation of innovative talents with global competence and the establishment of a robust talent pool have become paramount concerns for educational professionals. He remarked, "Fostering individuals with international competency and building a workforce of innovative talents have garnered significant attention and engagement."
Several experts were invited to give keynote speeches during the session.
Mr. Ning Zhang, President of the International Competence Development Committee in the Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy, emphasized that disciplinary backgrounds are not the central factor in cultivating talents with global competence. He stressed the significance of nurturing a global perspective, promoting international mobility, fostering effective communication, encouraging collaborative teamwork, developing leadership and management skills, and fostering understanding and respect for diversity among Chinese youth.
Mr. Hongxiang Sun, Vice President of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT), shared the university's noteworthy experience in cultivating innovative talents through internationalization. He highlighted the long-standing collaboration between BUPT and Queen Mary University of London, which has produced over 8,000 graduates and achieved an impressive 80% admission rate to the world's top 100 universities. Mr. Sun expressed the university's commitment to further enhancing the quality of international talent cultivation through international joint training programs and distinctive approaches.
Mr. Qingfeng Xia, Principal of Beijing Academy, emphasized the importance of nurturing students' curiosity and thirst for knowledge. He advocated for problem-solving as the primary learning approach, encouraging students to explore research topics derived from their daily experiences. Mr. Xia also proposed the establishment of practical workshops to foster critical thinking, creativity, and inclusiveness among students.
Dr. Henan Cheng, Deputy Director of the Center on Chinese Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, highlighted the remarkable contributions of esteemed American education historian and Columbia University professor Paul Monroe in advancing international education and fostering educational exchange and cooperation between China and the global community over the past century. Dr. Cheng also acknowledged the active involvement of Chinese students studying abroad in academic research and educational surveys, effectively showcasing Chinese education to the world.
Ms. Xiaozhi Wang, Co-founder of GEC Academy, shared insights on cultivating international innovative talents based on GEC's experiences in research-oriented learning, interdisciplinary studies, and global competence development. She expressed GEC's commitment to further exploration and practice in the development of international and innovative education, aiming to better serve students and partners.
Following a series of expert speeches, two roundtable sessions were held to delve into important topics such as cultivating innovation talents with a global perspective within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration. Another focal point was the promotion of integrated international high school curricula in fostering innovative talents.
All participants reached a consensus on the imperative of advancing online and offline international academic exchange activities and fostering in-depth integration and widespread participation in international communication within the realm of international education in the post-pandemic era. Regarding the internationalization of basic education, there was unanimous agreement that integrated curricula will persist in guiding parents and students to transition from a score-driven mindset to a process-oriented experiential learning approach. This educational shift aims to nurture a larger cohort of students with pronounced international competence and a seamless affinity for embracing international education.
The International Education Forum on Innovation Talent Cultivation and Global Competence Development served as a remarkable platform for educational leaders and experts to come together and explore crucial themes in international education. With a commitment to excellence, GEC Academy will eagerly look forward to forging new institutional partnerships that will unlock abundant academic and research opportunities, further advancing the field of international education.