XJTLU in the Media in August and September

Published on: 2 September 2024

Summary: China Youth Daily reported on 2 September that artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly influenced education, which leads to increased focus on integrating AI with educational resources. XJTLU, a pioneer in this field, has implemented various AI-driven initiatives in teaching, research, and administration.

Published on: 1 September 2024

Published on: 2 September 2024

Broadcast on: 1 September 2024

Broadcast on: 1 September 2024

Broadcast on:1 September 2024

Summary: XJTLU welcomed approximately 7,500 new undergraduate, master’s and PhD students at the 2024 opening ceremony held 1 September at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre. The incoming batch of students includes more than 570 new students from 66 countries and regions outside the Chinese mainland.

NetEase News and Suzhou Daily livestreamed the event, attracting over 2.2 million viewers.

This news was also reported by China Daily, Xinhua News, Spring City Evening News, Modern Express, Yangtze Evening Post, Jiangnan Times, JSTV’s Ourjiangsu.com, Jschina.com.cn, Suzhou Daily, Suzhou News Broadcast, Modern Suzhou, Suzhou Education Channel, www.2500sz.com, and more.

Published on: 2 August 2024

Summary: According to Yangtze Evening Post on 2 August, XJTLU’s Design School brought a mechanical arm to the graduation ceremony to take photos. The mechanical arm, equipped with a digital camera and a phone holder, allowed graduates to capture photos and receive instant video recordings.

This news was also reported by Modern Express.

Published on: 12 September 2024

Published on: 11 September 2024

Published on: 11 September 2024

Summary: XJTLU recently hosted the Third Jiangsu Intelligent Manufacturing System Solutions and Digital Transformation Development Conference. Over 400 representatives and experts from various fields gathered in Suzhou to discuss recent trends in the digital economy and intelligent manufacturing.

This news was also reported by Xinhua News, Yangtze Evening Post, Jiangsu Economic Daily, Modern Express, Suzhou Daily, CUTV, Suzhou News Broadcast, Modern Suzhou, China.com, sc.china.com.cn, Sina.com.cn, Hexun.com, www.k618.cn, Youth.cn, China Weekly, www.qianlong.com, and more.

Published on: 19 September 2024

Published on: 19 September 2024

Summary: On 19 September, XJTLU’s School of Advanced Technology celebrated its fifth anniversary by holding an exhibition themed “Cross-Border Integration for the Intelligence-Driven Future”.

This news was also reported by Modern Express, New Jiangsu, JSTV’s Ourjiangsu.com, CUTV’s Kan Suzhou, Modern Suzhou, NetEase News, and more.

Published on: 6 September 2024

Summary: The BSc Environmental Science programme at XJTLU’s School of Science has recently received accreditation from the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), UK, through its Community for Environmental Disciplines in Higher Education (CEDHE).

This news was also reported by Yangtze Evening Post, JSTV’s Ourjiangsu.com, City Business Daily, and more.

Published on: 20 August 2024

Summary: Neurons and synapses process and transmit information in our brains, and many scientists aim to replicate these functions in electronic systems by finding materials that can emulate them.

As reported by Suzhou Daily on 20 August, XJTLU’s research team partnered with Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, to tackle this challenge. Their findings provided an important foundation for the next generation of semiconductor chips for neuromorphic computing.

This news was also reported by Yangtze Evening Post, JSTV’s Ourjiangsu.com, and more.

Published on: 20 August 2024

Summary: A university teacher in Zhejiang province revealed online that, due to over 30% failure rates in three of his modules, the university requested an explanation and a reform plan from him. This incident sparked widespread attention and debate.

On 20 August, Dr Xiaojun Zhang, Executive Dean of XJTLU’s Academy of Future Education, published an article in China Science Daily. In the article, Dr Zhang says to resolve such issues, educators must return to the university’s teaching management system and educational philosophy.

Published on: 31 July 2024

Summary: In a recent interview with Xinhua News, Ling Xia, Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching at XJTLU’s School of Languages, said that AI has become a homework assistant for many students, and universities must address its potential impact on education.

This news was also reported by jschina.com.cn, New Jiangsu, and more.

Published on: 4 September 2024

Summary: At the start of a new semester, students might feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. In a recent interview with Xinhua News, Yuan Yuan, Lecturer at XJTLU’s Chinese Cultural Teaching Centre, highlights the importance of recognising students’ need to establish identity by differing from their parents, and urging patience and kindness during conflicts.

Published on: 6 September 2024

Summary: In August, Suzhou Bureau of Commerce launched a “Back-to-School” campaign. The campaign aims to boost consumption. In an interview with Suzhou Daily, Dr Li Pan at XJTLU’s International Business School Suzhou said effectively addressing consumer demand is crucial for promoting economic growth.

This news was also reported by Subaonet.com and more.

Published on: 1 August 2024

Summary: Italian luxury group Prada’s first-half 2024 performance data revealed impressive results, and Miu Miu achieved a notable 93% revenue increase to 530 million EUR. Dr Samuel Kwok at XJTLU’s International Business School Suzhou commented that technologies are transforming our daily life and also the fashion industry, and Miu Miu has quickly adapted to the trend of a younger luxury consumer demographic.

Published on: 30 July 2024

Summary: On 23 July, XJTLU-JITRI Academy of Industrial Technology and Institute of Digital Medical Technology, Shanghai Yangtze Delta Innovation Institute, launched their inaugural joint master’s programme.

This news was also reported by Suzhou Daily, City Business Daily, and more.

Published on: 30 July 2024

Summary: According to an article in Suzhou Daily on 30 July, Taicang, known as the “Hometown of Sino-German Enterprises”, has attracted great interest from expats for its industrial growth, technological advancements, and international community.

On 14 June, academics from XJTLU, including Dr Nimesh Salike, Dr Khalid Akhal, and Dr Antonio Benitez Garcia, along with other Chinese academic staff from the XIPU Institution visited Taicang, and explored Sino-German collaboration in the city.

Published on: 2 September 2024

Summary: According to an article on CUTV’s Kan Suzhou, the XJTLU Class Alliance was officially established on 29 August. Its first members include Qingdao Haier School, Shenzhen Futian Foreign Languages High School, Xi’an No. 85 Middle School, and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Affiliated School. During the meeting, representatives discussed plans for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The XJTLU Class Alliance is a distinctive programme co-created by XJTLU and like-minded high schools based on its educational philosophy and mission. It encourages students to move away from traditional exam-oriented education towards interest-driven learning.

This news was also reported by Modern Express.

Published on: 9 September 2024

Summary: On 8 September, Suzhou Contemporary Art Museum launched a new art initiative called “Urban Wilderness Detective” by Singaporean artist Renhui Zhao. The event included an exhibition and a discussion titled “Going into the Wild – Art as a Method”.

Dr Lingyun Xiao, Assistant Professor at XJTLU’s Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, joined the panel discussion.

This news was also reported by Guangming Daily, CNR, www.xinhuanet.com, www.gdtv.cn, Suzhou Daily, and more.

Published on: 30 August 2024

Summary: According to Modern Express, 

XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social  Sciences achieved success in the 10th Jiangsu Translation and Interpreting Competition, winning 14 provincial awards, including four first prizes.

This news was also reported by JSTV’s ourjiangsu.com, NetEase News, and more.

Published on: 5 September 2024 

Summary: On 5 September, China Youth Daily reported on Zuoyu Sun, a student at XJTLU’s School of Intelligent Finance and Business. Sun has a condition that causes hearing loss in his left ear. It inspired him to enhance the lives of individuals with hearing impairments. During his university studies, he led a team to create two products for hearing-impaired people: a sign language translator called Silent Partner and safety alert shoes called Silent E-Shoes.

Published on: 11 September 2024

Summary: A team of undergraduate students at XJTLU has developed an intelligent monitoring system for cowsheds that could help dairy farms reduce the frequency of difficult births in cattle, known as dystocia.

Calving problems threaten the survival of a cow and its ability to reproduce, causing economic losses and affecting the genetic diversity in cattle populations.

Moohoo, a student team from XJTLU’s School of Advanced Technology, has leveraged advanced sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create a smart system that provides real-time monitoring of a cowshed environment and livestock conditions, offering a comprehensive health management solution for the farming industry.

This news was also reported by China Youth Daily.

Published on:  29 July 2024

Summary: Recently, Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. partnered with XJTLU to develop multi-sensor 3D perception fusion technology for Higer’s autonomous electric buses. 

This news was also reported by Yahoo Finance, TradingView, Newsmax, TradingView (India), TipRanks, and more.

Published on: 29 July 2024

Summary: Dr Yue Jiang, Dr Nimesh Salike, and Professor Eddy Fang, all at XJTLU’s International Business School Suzhou, recently published an article on THE Campus. The article says that optional extracurricular modules can improve business students’ employability and soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, self-management, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility.

Published on: 2 August 2024

Summary: XJTLU Global Entrepreneurial Dream Chasers Competition invites teams of student entrepreneurs worldwide to participate by submitting innovative business ideas before 30 September 2024. This competition, a project-based learning initiative, fosters entrepreneurial skills development.

This news was also reported by Finanzen.net, AsiaOne, The Manila Times, The Korea Herald, DigiTimes, and more.

Published on: 5 August 2024

Summary: In her recent article, Chengchen Qian, Associate Language Lecturer at XJTLU’s English Language Centre shared tips on how to start a language-teaching podcast.

Published on: 6 August 2024

Summary: BBC journalist Xiaoying You recently interviewed Dr Yanhui Lei at XJTLU’s Department of Urban Planning and Design. Dr Lei says: “In many of these cities, rainwater cannot penetrate the paved surfaces, which means the soil underneath does not have the chance to soak up and store rainwater to contribute to the natural water cycle system.”

This news was also reported by BBC News Indonesia, Tempo.co, VNExplorer Network, and more.

Published on: 6 August 2024

Summary: In a recent article, China Daily says China plans to enhance openness in the education sector by encouraging top foreign science and engineering universities to establish partnerships and programmes within the country. The article mentioned XJTLU as one of the 23 partner institutes in Jiangsu province.

This news was also reported by People’s Daily, Borneo Bulletin Online, and DangDai.

Published on: 9 August 2024

Summary: The success story of Pangdonglai, a local Chinese supermarket chain with 13 stores in Henan province, has gained national attention. Online discussions commend its customer service and employee benefits like “unhappy leave”.

Dr Daniel Hampson, Associate Professor at International Business School Suzhou, praises Pangdonglai’s approach of prioritising employee well-being to maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Published on: 9 August 2024

Summary: Dr Mohsen al Attar, Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, recently attended the conference titled “Rethinking International Law After Gaza” organised by Boğaziçi University Faculty of Law, Türkiye.

This news was also reported by Anadolu Ajansı.

Published on: 11 August 2024

Summary: Dr Afa’anwi Ma’abo Che, Assistant Professor at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, recently published an article on The Conversation about his research that examined the distribution of Chinese-funded projects in Cameroon.

The study revealed that the majority of these projects were concentrated in the French-speaking region. In contrast, only a small fraction (8%) of the projects were situated in the anglophone region.

This news was also reported by allAfrica, Modern Ghana, Future Media News, and more.

Published on: 13 August 2024

Summary:Throughout history, people have associated various natural sites with entrances to the underworld, using names like “hell’s gate” or “mouth of hell”.

Dr Francesco Perono Cacciafoco, Associate Professor at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences explains that places associated with the underworld are often chosen based on their spooky or mysterious appearance. These names not only reflect how a location looks but also reveal details about the culture and religion of a society.

This news was also reported by Yahoo Finance, RealClearScience, IFLScience, The Observatorial, and more. 

Published on: 14 August 2024

Summary:Dr Dragan Pavlićević, Associate Professor at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, recently wrote an article about Chinese-funded high-speed railway projects in Vietnam.

This news was also reported by The News Lens.

Published on: 18 August 2024

Summary:Dr Changhee Kim, Dr Peng Liu, and Professor Lei Liang, all at XJTLU’s HeXie Management Research Centre, recently published an article in The European Business Review introducing the “HeXie Management Theory”. This theory was created by Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU, in 1989. It blends traditional Chinese philosophical wisdom with modern management science to provide practical strategies and tools for navigating rapid changes and uncertainties. “HeXie”, which translates to “harmony” in Chinese, aims to enhance problem-solving capabilities in dynamic environments.

Published on: 19 August 2024

Summary: In their recent article, Alan Meek at XJTLU’s Academy of Future Education, and Jingfei Zhang and Lin Ma, both at the School of Languages, introduced methods to enhance student vocabulary learning in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes.

Published on: 21 August 2024

Summary: Dr Mohsen Solhdoost at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, recently joined a panel at CGTN. The discussion focused on the increasing trade between China and other countries in Europe and the Middle East.

Published on: 22 August 2024

Summary: Similar to the ripples produced from dropping a stone in water, the collision of large celestial objects, such as black holes, generates gravitational waves – ripples in the fabric of space-time.

A specific type, nanohertz gravitational waves, was identified in 2023. These waves have such a low frequency that it took scientists over 10 years to see a complete cycle. However, how these waves are generated is still unclear.

Some scientists thought they came from a first-order phase transition – a change in the universe’s structure as it expands and cools down. Yet a new study published in Physical Review Letters challenges that theory. Dr Andrew Fowlie, Assistant Professor at XJTLU’s School of Mathematics and Physics is an author of the paper.

This news was also reported by Yahoo News, Yahoo Finance, Line Today Hong Kong, Live Science, and more.

Published on: 21 August 2024

Summary: BBC Persian recently interviewed Dr Mohsen Solhdoost, at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, on the ceasefire talks between Israel and Palestine.

Published on: 23 August 2024

Summary: Alan Meek, Educational Developer at Academy of Future Education, recently published an article on THE Campus. The article said the whiteboard, often overlooked for digital tools, is a powerful educational asset. It helps visualising concepts, group work, and immediate feedback, aligning with active learning principles.

Published on: 28 August 2024

Summary: Dr Francesco Perono Cacciafoco, Associate Professor at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, recently published an article on Ancient Origins. The article delves into the quest to decipher Linear A, an ancient script from Bronze Age Crete housing the mysterious Minoan language. Despite a century of failed attempts, some persevere in unravelling its secrets.

This news was also reported by Neefina, Actualité sur Free.fr, and more.

Published on: 30 August 2024

Summary: Dr Francesco Perono Cacciafoco, Associate Professor at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, recently published an article on The Conversation. The article explores the origins of four English expressions: so long, God speed, will-o’-the-wisp, and against the grain.

This news was also reported by Tolerance.ca.

Published on: 30 August 2024

Summary: According to a recent article on MIT Technology Review, a new neural network model called Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KANs) simplifies artificial neuron operations, potentially making AI systems, like GPT-4, easier to interpret.

“This limits the application efficiency of KANs on large-scale data sets and complex tasks,” says Dr Di Zhang, Associate Professor at the School of AI and Advanced Computing.

This news was also reported by T3N.

Published on: 3 September 2024

Summary: A recent study found a strong link between phone reliance and compensatory sleep in South Korean youths.

Conducted over years with 5,000 participants, it highlights how excessive phone usage can disrupt sleep, especially among school-aged individuals. The study tracked two student cohorts from childhood to adolescence. Published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, the findings suggest that youth who heavily use phones tend to seek more catch-up sleep on weekends after weekdays of insufficient rest.

Professor Jeong Jin Yu at XJTLU’s  Academy of Future Education, is the study’s lead researcher.

Published on: 3 September 2024

Summary: Scientists from China have investigated how short peptide chains aggregate together in order to deepen our understanding of the process, which is crucial for drug stability and material development. Their study, published in JACS Au, provides valuable insights into how short proteins called peptides interact, fold, and function. These findings have significant implications for medicine, material science, and biotechnology.

Dr Jiaqi Wang, Assistant Professor at XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy is the first author of the study.

This news was also reported by Phys.org, EurekAlert!, Scienmag, Bioengineer.org, Infosalus, and more.

Published on: 3 September 2024

Summary: As the academic year begins, teachers face the challenge of improving teaching methods. Drawing from experience, Rebecca Wakelin, Director of the Educational Development Unit, suggests four proven strategies: formal training application, observing peers, engaging in discussions, and self-assessment through video analysis for pedagogical enhancement.

Published on: 6 September 2024

Summary: In a new study published in the journal Talanta, a team from China and the UK have produced a new and improved detector that can accurately measure levels of cortisol – a stress biomarker in the blood.

Tong Ji, a current part-time PhD student and a senior technician at XJTLU, is the first author of the study. Dr Qiuchen Dong, Assistant Professor at XJTLU’s School of Science is the corresponding author.

This news was also reported by Yahoo Finance, Line Today Hong Kong, Finanzen.net, AsiaOne, The Manila Times, and more.

Published on: 6 September 2024

Summary: The widespread disinfectant chloroxylenol poses environmental risks in water due to its stability and high usage. Recently, researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China, found 2,6-dichlorobenzoquinone (2,6-DCQ) as a more effective and eco-friendly alternative against common pathogens. The research team includes Dr Wanxin Li, now Assistant Professor at Department of Health and Environmental Sciences.

This news was also reported by Phys.org, EurekAlert!, Kolibri.press, and more.

Published on: 9 September 2024

Summary: Dr Hong Seng Gan at XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) recently published an article on China Daily about the artificial intelligence (AI) exchange between China and ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations).

Published on: 12 September 2024

Summary: Population-based studies have shown retinal disorders are the most common cause of irreversible blindness in developed countries and the second most common cause of blindness after cataracts in developing countries. Medical imaging techniques are key to early detection of retinal disorders, but the technology currently available presents many challenges for practitioners.

To improve the speed and accuracy of diagnoses of retinal disorders, a group of researchers from XJTLU and VoxelCloud Inc. in China has introduced an AI-powered medical imaging technique – DualStreamFoveaNet (DSFN) to address the current imaging challenges.

Dr Sifan Song, a PhD graduate from XJTLU’s School of AI and Advanced Computing, is the first author of the study.

This news was also reported by AlphaGalileo, Head Topics, Health Reporter, News Medical, and more.

Published on: 12 September 2024

Summary: A recent study conducted by Dr Irina Shcheglova and a team of researchers involving over 14,000 US students suggests that engaging students’ higher-order thinking skills can enhance their satisfaction with the academic experience. Dr Shcheglova, Assistant Professor at the Academy of Future Education, further elaborated on this topic in an article on THE Campus, focusing on strategies for teachers to stimulate students' higher-order thinking abilities.

Published on: 14 September 2024

Summary: Urban greening is a promising strategy to limit the negative health impacts of extreme heat; however, much remains to be learned about how best to promote and implement it. It is still unclear what types of greenspace matter most and how close greenspaces should be to living areas.

A new study published in Environment International shows that among different types of vegetation, forests within walkable distance from residential areas are particularly crucial in mitigating heat-related health risks.

Dr Jinglu Song, Associate Professor at XJTLU’s Design School, is the first and corresponding author of the new study.

This news was also reported by Phys.org, QNewsHub, AlphaGalileo, Jewish Business News, Kompas.com, and more.

Published on: 24 September 2024

Summary: Dr Simon Schweighofer at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences published an article on The Conversation about his recent research. The study suggests that the fusion of politics with personal relationships intensifies polarisation among individuals.

This news was also reported by Mirage News.

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