Event Recap | Student Innovation Forum Successfully Held
Published on: April 17, 2025 | Views: 70
On April 12th-13th, the Student Innovation Forum (SIF) organized by Sichuan University -Pittsburgh Institute (SCUPI) was held at the Jiang’an South Campus of Sichuan University.
As one of SCUPI Student Council’s flagship events, the Student Innovation Forum aims to build a high-quality exchange platform for students from Sino-foreign cooperative universities and empower their growth. Since its beginning in 2016, the forum has grown significantly in scale and influence. This year’s theme, Diversified Integration and Student Development in Chinese-Foreign Joint Education Institutions, brought together students from 24 Sino-foreign cooperative universities across China to Chengdu for collaborative discussions on future development.
01 Opening Ceremony
Dean Minking Chyu, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs TsunZee Mai, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Ye Li, attended the opening ceremony. Dean Chyu warmly welcomed faculty and student representatives, highlighting the forum’s founding purpose and preparation process. He emphasized the event’s role as a platform for self-expression and mutual learning, encouraging participants to broaden their horizons through intellectual exchange. He concluded by expressing anticipation for the insights to be shared and reaffirmed his welcome to all delegations.
02 Event Highlights
Main Forum
Representatives delivered speeches on topics such as curriculum design, student organizations, academic research, faculty resources, and career development, showcasing their institutions’ unique strengths. Following the presentations, professors from SCUPI shared perspectives on the forum’s theme and provided feedback on the students’ discussions.
Icebreaking Games
A series of interactive icebreaking games were organized after the main forum, fostering friendship among representatives.
Campus Tour
On the evening of April 12th, delegations toured Jiang’an Campus of Sichuan University, experiencing its vibrant campus life and scenic environment.
Sub-forums (Round Table)
At 9:00 AM on April 13th, sub-forums commenced with representatives engaging in dynamic discussions on three key topics:
“Embracing Commonalities and Cultivating Individuality” (Educational Models)
Representatives shared innovative practices in admissions, specialized class management, and diverse academic pathways, exploring the advantages of cooperative education.
”Dynamic Activities, Vibrant Campus Life” (Student Activities)
Discussions centered on student organizations, signature events (e.g., SCUPI’s “Carnival Orientation” and Southwest Jiaotong University-Leeds Institute’s “Poster Presentation”), and feedback mechanisms for student voices.
”Academic Exchange and Cutting-Edge Exploration” (Curriculum and Research)
Participants explored strategies to bridge cultural gaps and enhance academic excellence through scientific curriculum design and collaborative research opportunities.
These sub-forums highlighted diverse perspectives and enriched SIF with academic and cultural depth, paving the way for future educational innovation.
Teachers’ Forum
Teachers exchanged insights on student management and development with teachers from SCUPI’s Student Affairs Office, sharing best practices to better guide student growth.
03Closing Ceremony
After the sub-forums, participants gathered for a reception buffet at the multi-functional interactive space N111. Dean Chyu and Chi Zhang, Chief Representative of Ghent University in Beijing, joined the students for conversations.
Following the reception, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs TsunZee Mai, delivered closing remarks. He expressed gratitude to all participants, emphasizing SIF’s role in fostering self-expression and peer learning. He praised the cooperative education model for bridging faculty-student connections and encouraged students to cultivate innovative thinking to excel in future engineering research and practice.
Dean Mai delivered a speech.
Representatives from participating institutes share their thoughts.
Ruyi Wang, President of SCUPI Student Council, gave a summary.
Group Photo
Participant Reflections
01
“I am deeply honored to represent International Campus Zhejiang University at this forum. Here, we connected with representatives from diverse institutes, engaged in profound exchanges about unique educational models, and shared experiences while listening to voices from all perspectives. Through intellectual collisions, we learned from each other, especially in discussions on student organizations and campus activities, where I gained invaluable insights and innovative ideas for brand-building initiatives. Thank you, SCUPI, for this exceptional platform. May SIF continue to thrive!”
— Shuhan JI, International Campus Zhejiang University
02
“As a delegate from Westa College, Southwest University, my interactions with various institutions at SIF have given me a multidimensional understanding of the future of Sino-foreign cooperative education. Cross-cultural integration not only fuels educational innovation but also empowers us to confront challenges and pioneer diverse development pathways. My gratitude to the organizers for crafting a visionary platform that fosters dialogue, and to all contributors who made these intellectual exchanges possible. Let us explore a brighter future together!”
— Dezhi Kong, Westa College, Southwest University
03
“Participating in SCUPI’s 2025 Student Innovation Forum as a delegate from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) has been profoundly inspiring. The main forum showcased the boundless possibilities of Sino-foreign collaboration through discussions on curriculum innovation and student activities, while the round-table discussions and icebreaking sessions deepened our connections. This event not only enriched my understanding of globalized education but also connected me with like-minded peers. I look forward to future cross-institutional collaborations and writing new chapters in educational innovation!”
— Jinyan Qiu, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
04
“Since its offline revival in 2023, this marks my third consecutive year at SIF—previously as a behind-the-scenes organizer, and now as a speaker. Each year, SIF introduces innovative themes and welcomes more institutions, yet its founding purpose remains unchanged: to unite students from Sino-foreign cooperative institutes in sparking ideas and envisioning limitless futures through dialogue and collaboration.”
— Zhentian Zhong, Sichuan University – Pittsburgh Institute