14th Northwest United Universities and Chinese Higher Education Development Forum Held at Tianjin University

The 14th Northwest United Universities (NWUU) and Chinese Higher Education Development Forum was held at Tianjin University on December 6, bringing together about 300 scholars, experts, and university leaders to explore the historical legacy of NWUU and its relevance to modern higher education reform. Coinciding with Tianjin University’s 130th anniversary, the forum focused on the theme “Carrying Forward the Educational Spirit of NWUU for a Stronger Nation”, emphasizing inter-university collaboration to cultivate innovative talent and strengthen China’s educational development.

The forum highlighted key perspectives from senior leaders. Yang Xianjin,  Secretary of the Party Committee of Tianjin University, underscored that coordinating education, science and technology, and talent development represents a major historical opportunity and a pressing challenge for higher education in the new era. Li Jiajun, Vice President of the China Association of Higher Education and former Party Secretary of Tianjin University, called on member universities to uphold the founding mission of educating for national development, implement the fundamental task of moral and intellectual cultivation, serve national strategic needs, and advance collaborative innovation. Liu Yiman, Deputy Secretary of the Tianjin Municipal Education Working Committee, emphasized that the synergy of education, science and technology, and talent is increasingly critical, and NWUU’s tradition of inter-university cooperation provides confidence to meet contemporary challenges.

Representatives also included senior leaders such as Yang Xianjin, Party Secretary of Tianjin University; Sun Lei, former Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Vice President of Northeastern University; Cai Shihua, Deputy Party Secretary of China University of Mining and Technology; Tan Kai, Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Vice President of China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing); Tian Minggang, Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee, Vice President, and Director of the Publicity Department at Northwest University; and Zhang Junzheng, Deputy Party Secretary of Northwest University of Political Science and Law, among others, along with experts, scholars, and student representatives from other institutions. The opening ceremony was chaired by Zhang Junyan, Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Head of the United Front Work Department of Tianjin University.

The forum featured the ceremonial handover of the NWUU Alliance flag to China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), the host of the 15th forum. Tan Kai highlighted the honor and responsibility of hosting, pledging to uphold NWUU’s educational spirit and draw on past experiences to ensure a high-level academic event that fosters consensus, inspires innovation, preserves cultural heritage, and strengthens inter-university collaboration.

Keynote presentations illuminated NWUU’s historical and educational significance. Wang Jie, Cultural Advisor of Tianjin University, and Yao Yuan, NWUU Secretary-General, presented reports, providing insights into NWUU’s core values, historical evolution, and contemporary relevance.

In the afternoon, three parallel sessions were held simultaneously. Experts and scholars engaged in in-depth discussions on: the core connotations, historical evolution, and contemporary value of the NWUU spirit; educational practice, disciplinary development, and cultural heritage of NWUU; and excavation, dissemination, and contemporary application of NWUU’s cultural resources. These sessions examined NWUU’s legacy from multiple perspectives and explored pathways for applying its spirit in modern higher education. Outstanding research papers were recognized during the closing ceremony. 

Since its inaugural session in 2012, the NWUU and Chinese Higher Education Development Forum has been hosted in succession by alliance members to trace NWUU’s historical legacy, consolidate its educational spirit, and promote higher education reform. By connecting history with contemporary challenges and fostering collaboration, the forum advances innovative talent cultivation, strengthens higher education reform, and supports China’s broader national development goals. 

By: Zhang Mengru

Editors: Sun Xiaofang, Xie Donglin