5th Global Alliance of Foreign Studies Universities Presidents' Forum Launches at Zhejiang International Studies University

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.

10月24日，第五届全球外国语大学联盟校长论坛暨全国外语院校协作组第39届年会在浙江外国语学院举行。

会议以“面向未来·数智赋能·融通发展”为主题，聚焦新时代外国语大学治理新思路、交叉融通与外国语大学学科发展、人工智能与外语教育改革创新、区域国别研究与文明互鉴实践等议题，推动外语教育及区域研究协同发展，促进跨学科、跨区域创新实践，为构建人类命运共同体注入强劲教育动能。

中国教育国际交流协会会长、欧美同学会副会长、中国教育部原副部长刘利民，全球外国语大学联盟理事长、北京外国语大学校长、党委副书记贾文键，浙江外国语学院党委书记、校长张环宙，白俄罗斯国立外国语大学副校长奥尔加·卢辛斯卡娅等24家联盟单位校领导出席论坛，英国伦敦大学亚非学院、埃克塞特大学等2家观察员单位以及“中国-阿尔及利亚友好协会”等机构负责人参加论坛活动。来自全球27个国家60余所高校和机构的170余名专家学者参加论坛。