The Suzhou campus of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University focuses on cultivating elite talent in the fields of science, engineering, technology and management. [Photo/China Daily]

Executive president says move looks to provide innovative learning opportunity

Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, has sped up its transformation with an innovative educational model.

The university is an international joint venture founded by Xi'an Jiaotong University in China and the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom in 2006.

Earlier this year, the university announced plans to expand its online education to a wider range of fields out of concern for the health of its students and staff members. More than 490 learning modules－95 percent of its total－have been conducted online. In the autumn semester, all XLTLU's learning modules will be taught both online and on-site.

"We have opened some online courses before," said Professor Xi Youmin, executive president of the university.

"But the outbreak of COVID-19 sped up the timeline of our plan to move toward the new education system we envision for XJTLU's future that blends the best of online and on-site education methodologies."

According to Xi, the university has long valued online education and invested heavily to ensure it continues to evolve with the development of society and technology.

In addition to upgrading its information technology infrastructure and facilities on campus by introducing online education resources from across the globe, the university has developed a virtual learning platform and online grading system, promoted education technology and tools, and built digital resources labs in recent years.

"The work facilitates the effective delivery of classroom education on campus and improves students' learning experience," Xi said. "Meanwhile, it paves the way for the future development of online education, a vital part of the university's development strategy."