Recently, President Shi Jinfei, accompanied by Vice President Zhong Lanxiang, Director of the University Office Zhou Jiahua, and Deputy Director Qian Yunran, visited the International Affairs Department to conduct a research visit and provide guidance. The purpose of the visit was to gain a deep understanding of the university’s current progress in internationalization and its future development plans. Vice President Jochen Amrehn, along with Deputy Directors Zhu Hongqing and Liu Bin of the International Affairs Department, also participated in the meeting and discussion.

The meeting was held in Room 609 of the Comprehensive Building. During the session, Deputy Director Zhu Hongqing gave an overview of the department’s overall work, followed by a detailed presentation from Deputy Director Liu Bin, who introduced four key areas of responsibility within the department. These include academic collaboration, international exchange programs, global internship development, and united front-related work. In the academic area, he highlighted joint programs with overseas universities, integrated bachelor-master pathways, lectures by international professors and corporate experts, and dual-degree initiatives. He emphasized five ongoing bachelor-master programs that are being carried out in collaboration with international universities, aimed at supporting students’ pursuit of graduate study abroad. In terms of global exchange, the department has developed student exchange agreements with institutions in five countries, launched three independently developed signature summer programs, and is preparing to introduce a new customized study tour project in 2025 to host visiting overseas university delegations. The department is also working to deepen international internship opportunities that combine industry and education, with a particular focus on a new internship and employment pathway in Germany. The first cohort of students is set to begin internships there on May 6. Additionally, the department leverages the platforms of the Overseas Chinese Federation and the Western Returned Scholars Association to connect domestic and international resources in support of the university’s development.

President Shi Jinfei listened attentively to the presentations and actively engaged with participants. He expressed high recognition of the department’s accomplishments and emphasized that internationalization is a key driver of the university’s high-quality development. He noted that Pujiang College’s level of international education already ranks among the top in its category, which not only reflects a distinctive strength but also represents an important responsibility.

President Shi put forward several guiding principles for the department’s future work. He stressed the importance of aligning with the university’s “work-based” educational philosophy to better integrate international resources into discipline development and talent cultivation. He encouraged the exploration of new talent development models that combine professional expertise, language proficiency, and intercultural competence. He also urged the department to focus on enhancing students’ global competitiveness by developing innovative incentive mechanisms that encourage more proactive and confident student participation in international exchange programs. During the discussion, he and Vice President Jochen Amrehn also had an in-depth exchange on how to foster students’ confidence and willingness to communicate in foreign languages and engage in global activities.

President Shi Jinfei’s visit has provided clear strategic direction for the university’s internationalization and strong guidance for the International Affairs Department’s future work. The department will earnestly implement the spirit of his instructions, align closely with the university’s development goals, expand its international cooperation network, optimize project management efficiency, and build a more advanced and diversified international platform for faculty and students—contributing to the university’s pursuit of high-quality educational development.