The term "Xiehang" originates from the founding vision of Tan Kah Kee, the founder of Xiamen University, who aspired for the university to "rival leading universities worldwide." From August 20 to August 27, the "Xiehang Plan" Summer Overseas Social Practice Team of Xiamen University embarked on an eight-day overseas social practice in Singapore and Malaysia. The team of faculty and students conducted research and exchanges focusing on themes such as fintech, university development and collaboration, and urban planning and development. Through visits to prestigious universities, corporations, museums, and other institutions, they explored cutting-edge advancements in science and education, promoted Chinese culture, enhanced the global competence of young scholars, and injected new vitality into global civilizational dialogue. The practice team was led by Associate Professor Li Dongxu from the School of Economics, Professor Wu Wei from our institute, and Teacher Yang Jiaqi from the university’s Youth League Committee. Two Ph.D candidate from our insititute, Liu Xuejun and Lin Lin, also participate in this practice activity.
Academic Exploration: Engaging in Scholarly Exchanges with Faculty and Students from Prestigious Universities
During this practice activity, team members visited Nanyang Technological University, the National University of Singapore, the University of Malaya, and Xiamen University Malaysia Campus, immersing themselves in the innovative atmosphere of top-tier universities and engaging in exchanges centered around the research themes. At Nanyang Technological University, they participated in specialized courses on "AI and Sustainable Development." These courses not only deepened their understanding of artificial intelligence concepts but also inspired them to engage more actively in discussions on the development of global higher education. At the National University of Singapore, they experienced its rich academic environment and observe how the "concept of sustainable development" is reflected in campus development. During their visit to the University of Malaya, team members learned about its developmental history, disciplinary strengths, and academic influence in fields such as tropical studies, social sciences, and information technology. Dr. Wang Yake, an alumnus of our insititute working at the International Exchange and Cooperation Office of Xiamen University Malaysia Campus, guided them on a tour of the campus and shares its development journey. In an exchange session with students from Xiamen University Malaysia Campus, participants from both sides discussed topics such as learning experiences, cultural adaptation, and the historical, social, and economic context of Malaysia. The research theme for this investigation was "Chinese Wisdom and the History, Present, and Future of the Maritime Silk Road." As members of the history and culture subgroup, doctoral students Liu Xuejun and Lin Lin completed group reports titled "Typical Experiences of Sino-Foreign Educational Exchange and Cooperation Under the Belt and Road Initiative: Cases from Universities in Singapore and Malaysia" and "An Analysis of How Flagship Universities in Singapore and Malaysia Empower the Construction of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road," respectively.
Intelligence and Innovation Convergence: Exploring International Practices of FinTech in Chinese and Foreign Enterprises
The practice team expanded its perspective from campus to industry frontiers, focusing on the core domain of artificial intelligence and industrial integration by visiting several representative enterprises. At CICC Singapore, they explored how financial services facilitated cross-border cooperation; at Fullerton Fund Management Company under Temasek, they learned about the role of transnational investments in driving regional economic development. At Huawei's Malaysia office, they gained first-hand insight into Huawei's global technological deployment and innovative achievements in areas such as 5G, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence as a global leader in ICT.
Mutual Learning among Civilizations: Tracing the Trajectory of Multicultural Development in Singapore and Malaysia
During the research, the practice team visited the Singapore City Gallery, the National Museum of Singapore, and the National Museum of Malaysia. They deeply experienced the unique charm of multiculturalism in Singapore and Malaysia, enhanced their understanding of cultural exchange, inclusiveness, and coexistence, and are further inspired to reflect on safeguarding cultural diversity and fostering pluralistic development in the context of globalization.
Faculty and students from our institute who participated in this practical activity strengthened exchanges with peers from other schools during the research process, while also enhancing their cross-cultural communication skills and gaining a deeper understanding of the true essence of the "Xiehang" spirit. Through hands-on visits and in-depth exchanges, they not only experienced the campus cultures of top-tier universities in Singapore and Malaysia but also reflected on the diversity in the development of world-class universities from the perspective of international comparison. At the same time, they developed a more profound understanding of the mission of universities, cultural dissemination, and the landscape of global higher education.
