Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) has garnered widespread attention in both academic and practical circles for its successful interdisciplinary collaboration between the Academy of Future Education (AoFE) and the School of Advanced Technology (SAT). Through an innovative project allocation project, the research team improved the equitable distribution of educational resources, facilitating students' academic and psychological growth. They have been honoured with various awards, such as the Outstanding Academic Papers in Natural Science for the Year 2022-2023 in Suzhou and the Suzhou Computer Society Outstanding Academic Papers Second Prize for the Year 2022-2023.
FromLeft to Right: Professor Mark Leach, Dr Pengfei Song, Dr Na Li, Professor Xiaojun Zhang, Professor Eng Gee Lim
The research team, which includes Dr Na Li, Dr Pengfei Song, Professor Eng Gee Lim, Professor Mark Leach and Professor Xiaojun Zhang, has conducted in-depth research on the equitable allocation of resources in Project-Based Learning (PBL). Over the past four years, the team and their students continuously piloted the innovative practices in SAT301. They published pivotal research findings in top-tier academic journals, such as Computers in Human Behavior and Humanities and Social Sciences Communications:
Li, N., Lim, E. G*., Leach, M*., Zhang, X*.,& Song, P.* (2022). Role of perceived self-efficacy in automated projectallocation: measuring university students’ perceptions of justice ininterdisciplinary project-based learning. Computers in Human Behavior, 136.
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Yuan, H., Yuan, W., Duan, S., Yong, R., Jiao, K., Wei, Y., Leach, M., Li, N*., Zhang, X., Lim, E. G*., & Song, P*. (2024). Navigating the uncertainty: the impact of a student-centered final year project allocation mechanism on student performance. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1).
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SAT has demonstrated its excellence in artificial intelligence and educational technology in this collaboration in addressing the traditional educational pain point of project allocation being akin to opening a "mystery box." Students' autonomy in project selection has been significantly enhanced, leading to greater satisfaction with learning outcomes and a boost in their sense of self-efficacy. AoFE has played a crucial role in optimizing the educational ecosystem by conducting professional educational research, ensuring that students can thrive in a fairer, more inclusive, and full of opportunities environment. The academy offers diverse support and guidance, fostering an atmosphere conducive to interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration and innovation, enabling every student to unlock their maximum potential.
Additionally, the research team has shared practical implications with the global community via the university research outreach approaches in the world's top social media, which marks a significant step forward for XJTLU in scientific research innovation and educational change:
Li, N., Lim, E. G., & Leach, M (2024). Practical strategies for overcoming challenges in interdisciplinary project-based learning.
Times Higher Education (THE)
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Li, N., Zhang, X., & Song, P. (2023). Students with strong self-belief are happier and more successful – as our study shows.
The Conversation
https://theconversation.com/students-with-strong-self-belief-are-happier-and-more-successful-as-our-study-shows-199645
In addition, the research team has successfully secured funding from multiple grants, including the General Programme of the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China and the Young Scientists Fund of the Humanities and Social Science Program of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China:
- 2024 Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China Programme - General Programme
- 2024 Humanities and Social Science Program of Ministry of Education of PRC (MoE) Young Scientists Fund: Theoretical construction and empirical research on artificial Intelligence promoting fair allocation of project-based learning resources
Looking ahead, the research team intends to continue exploring the frontiers of AI-empowered education and educational equity, providing students with more quality and equitable learning opportunities. At the same time, they also look forward to deepening collaboration with various sectors of society to propel the vigorous development of the education industry jointly.
