Themed "Future Solutions, AI Empowerment, Integrated Development", the Fifth Presidents' Forum of the Global Alliance of Foreign Studies Universities (GAFSU), hosted by Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and organized by Zhejiang International Studies University, was held in Hangzhou on Oct 24.

The forum was attended by leaders from 24 member institutions of the alliance, and over 170 global experts and scholars from more than 60 universities and institutions.

The Fifth Presidents' Forum of the GAFSU is held in Hangzhou. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

During the forum, Liu Limin, president of the China Education Association for International Exchange, vice president of the Western Returned Scholars Association, and China's former vice minister of education, highlighted the importance of strengthening the collaboration between foreign language universities and research institutions. Liu emphasized leveraging the "intelligence" and "inclusive" advantages of digital technology to promote the deep integration of cutting-edge technology and foreign language education.

Liu Limin delivers a speech during the forum. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

In his address, Jia Wenjian, chairman of the GAFSU, BFSU's president and deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU Committee, offered future-oriented suggestions: deepen the integration of digital intelligence in language education; enhance the interdisciplinary integration of academic disciplines and specialties; and strengthen the resource integration in the development of the alliance.

Jia Wenjian offers future-oriented suggestions for the development of the GAFSU. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Zhang Huanzhou, board member of the GAFSU and president of Zhejiang International Studies University, noted that the forum has created a platform for an exchange matrix within the intercultural education community for members of the alliance.

Zhang Huanzhou highlights the importance of the forum. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

The forum released the "Initiative for Collaborative Advancement of Innovation in Language Education and Research in the Digital Intelligence Era," calling on member universities to jointly plan new approaches for digitally empowered education and teaching, explore new global pathways for language education, create new global hubs for knowledge innovation, and build a new ecosystem with diverse stakeholder participation.

The GAFSU was initiated in 2015 by BFSU and is currently composed of 39 universities from 20 countries, all distinguished in foreign language teaching and area studies.