The 5th Global Alliance of Foreign Studies Universities Presidents' Forum and the 39th Annual Conference of Foreign Language Institutions Cooperation Group were successfully held on October 24, drawing over 170 experts from 60+ institutions across 27 countries.
The dual events, under the theme of “Facing the Future, AI Empowering and Joint Development”, focused on the reshaping of foreign studies education in the new era. Attendees held extensive discussions on new governance frameworks for foreign studies universities, strategies to boost interdisciplinary collaboration, AI’s role in revolutionizing foreign language teaching, and how regional research could deepen cross-civilization dialogue. The aim is to promote the coordinated development of foreign language education and regional studies, advance interdisciplinary and cross-regional innovation, and empower education in the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
“The forum is more than a discussion—it’s a commitment to align foreign language education with global needs,” said Liu Limin, President of the China Education Association for International Exchange and former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education. Jia Wenjian, Chairman of the Global Alliance of Foreign Studies Universities and President of Beijing Foreign Studies University, emphasized interdisciplinary innovation. “Foreign studies institutions can no longer work in silos. Integrating AI and regional research will help us address global challenges more effectively,” he noted.
ZISU President Zhang Huanzhou highlighted the events’ significance: “Hosting this forum allows ZISU to contribute to global academic exchange while learning from international peers. It’s a step forward for our goal of fostering cross-cultural understanding.”
Other key participants included Olga Lucinskaya, Vice President of Belarusian State University of Foreign Languages, alongside representatives from 24 alliance members, two observer institutions (the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and the University of Exeter), and organizations like the China-Algeria Friendship Association.
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