University welcomes students for UK-China conference

Humanities and social sciences students from universities in a UK-China higher education alliance have been welcomed to Exeter for a four-day event.

The HEYTA (Higher Education Young Talent Alliance) annual conference brought around 40 students from across the UK China Humanities Alliance (UKCHA) to the campus for a programme of academic sessions, cultural excursions and group activities and presentations.

HEYTA is one of the landmark initiatives of the UKCHA and is designed to foster cooperation and mutual understanding between university students from the UK and China and nurture future leaders with the skills to navigate a complex world.

This year’s conference focused on the inter-related themes of: Interconnectivity and Interculturality; AI, Technology and the Post-Knowledge World; and the Sustainable Development Goals. With sessions led by academic staff in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, HEYTA student groups designed engaging and thought-provoking presentations, opening up new insights and reflections on how the humanities can address some of our most pressing contemporary challenges.

The Conference was opened by Professor Adam Watt, Pro Vice-Chancellor for HASS, and featured welcome remarks from Prof Yan Haiping, Secretary General of the UKCHA; Dr Zizheng Yu, Lecturer in Promotional Media in the Department of Communications, Drama and Film; Prof Xiangjing Chen, Tsinghua University; and student leads Elizabeth Phillips (Exeter) and Chen Nuo (Tsinghua).

Prof Li Li, Deputy Secretary General of the UKCHA, and Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement in HASS, said: “We work hard to promote unity despite differences through intercultural dialogue to create a better future for the humanities and social sciences. We must ensure our young generations have the experience and mindset to build a more just and fair future from which no one is excluded.

“One of the robust features of this conference is the depth of student engagement and participation in this forum. Fostering cross-cultural exchange between nations and their students holds unparalleled significance in the current global landscape. Events such as the China-UK Higher Education Young Talent Alliance highlight this significance by uniting some of the brightest minds from universities in the two countries.”

Over the course of the week, HEYTA students engaged not only in academic sessions and group work and presentations, but also a range of cultural activities, including excursions to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter Cathedral, Exmouth seaside and learning first-hand traditional ceilidh dancing.

Elizabeth Phillips, the HEYTA Student Organising Committee Chair and a second-year Law student at Exeter, played an essential role in leading the Committee in the organisation of the event.

“HEYTA 2024 was a fantastic opportunity to forge meaningful connections with a diverse group of fascinating individuals from both the UK and China,” she said. “Despite its short duration, the three-day event was immensely rewarding. As a Law student, I found it energizing to explore other areas of humanities, as they provided me with a fresh perspective on my own studies.

“It was clear that the student group presentations drew upon the insights gained throughout the conference while also offering their own, nuanced, and intercultural perspectives on global issues. Overall, it was a captivating few days that left us all with a lasting impression – and with great friends!”

Haoyan Ran, a student delegate to the conference from Tsinghua University, reflected warmly on the event, saying: “Bathed in Exeter’s greenness and kindness, I spent an enlightening time period with the teachers, peers, and student organizers. Cherishing those wonderful encounters and conversations with everyone I met, around the campus and in the city, I believe we all decorated each and every other’s summertime with hospitality, curiosity and connectivity.”

The conference concluded with remarks from Prof Li as well as Leina Shi, Director of Education with the British Council (China), a key supporter of the UKCHA; and Peter Clack, Director of Exeter Global. Also speaking was Ms Qiao Xian, Deputy Director of International Affairs at Tsinghua University, and Benjamin Yan Yong, Director of the Institute for World Literatures and Cultures at Tsinghua. During the session, it was confirmed that HEYTA 2025 will be hosted at Tsinghua.

For more information, please contact global_partnerships@exeter.ac.uk