The 2025 International Week and International Cultural Festival of the School of Humanities Successfully Held

Distinguished guests at the opening ceremony included Petra Thiel, Foreign Director of the Confucius Institute at Heidelberg University; professors Lena Henningsen and Sara Landa from Heidelberg University; Wang Qian, Deputy Director, Division of Global Cooperation and Exchange; Qi Hong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Humanities; Huang Jinxian, Deputy Party Secretary of the School of Humanities; Cai Wenjing, Vice Dean of the School of Humanities; and international students representing SJTU’s schools from around the world.

The opening began with a review of past activities. Video greetings were sent by Stefanie Jansen, Deputy Mayor of Heidelberg, and representatives from numerous overseas partner institutions, including the University of Oxford, University of Bristol, Wesleyan University, Showa Women's University, Cairo University, Mahidol University, Southern University College, and the University of Hong Kong.

In her welcoming speech, Qi Hong emphasized the School's commitment to the “Open Humanities” strategy, which integrates internationalization into discipline development and talent cultivation, and promotes substantive cooperation with top universities worldwide. In recent years, the School has also actively pursued “internationalization at home,” through initiatives such as the International Week and International Exchange Month, facilitating global academic engagement and cultural understanding. She expressed the school's aspirations to further deepen its internationalization efforts and collaborate with overseas partners in new dimensions.

Representing Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Wang Qian highlighted the university’s long-standing dedication to international collaboration, including diverse initiatives such as dual-degree programs, joint research projects, and student exchanges with leading institutions around the world. She praised the success of the International Week in bringing together partner universities, and expressed hope that the event would continue to foster deeper understanding and communication.

Petra Thiel delivered a keynote speech titled “Rethinking Our New Literary Present: On Transtext, Transliterature, and the Technologies of Worldmaking”. The speech was followed by an engaging and thought-provoking discussion with faculty and students.

Following the keynote address, the finals of the “SJTU in My Eyes” Chinese Speech Contest for International Student were held in conjunction with the opening session. This event sought to showcase campus life through the eyes of international students and encourage the use of language as a bridge for cross-cultural understanding. Ten students representing nine countries—Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Turkey, Egypt, Myanmar, South Korea, Tajikistan, and Russia—shared heartfelt experiences in Chinese. The contest featured a panel of esteemed judges, including Huang Jinxian, Associate Professor Liu Yuanchun, Associate Research Fellow Bai Yadong, and Associate Professor An Na. Thae Nu Kyi (Myanmar) and Jung Minkyeong (South Korea) were named first-place winners. Additionally, special awards were presented: Jung Minkyeong also won the “Audience Favorite” award, while Sanli Halim (Turkey) received the “Best Presence” award.

From October 10 to 11, the Heidelberg University - Shanghai Jiao Tong University International Graduate Student Conference 2025 was successfully conducted. Themed Worldmaking Revisited: Transcultural Perspectives on Constructing Realities, the workshop brought together 12 graduate students from both universities. The event was chaired by scholars including Petra Thiel, Sara Landa, Lena Henningsen, Cai Wenjing, and Li Juan. Faculty members Chen Hao, Long Qilin, Han Lei, Shi Donglai, Han Shangrong and Ding Yao provided thoughtful feedback and commentary.

The session fostered in-depth academic exchange and showcased how cross-cultural approaches contribute to the construction of new narratives and meanings in literature and society. Khemika Rimpranee, a master student from SJTU, won the “ ‘Shengsheng’ Best Student Paper” award.

From October 10 to 12, the Johann Strauss and Contemporary Music Culture International Symposium was held under the auspices of the School of Humanities. The symposium attracted nearly 150 participants, including scholars, artists, and students from around the globe. In her opening remarks, Qi Hong highlighted the event's significance in not only celebrating musical heritage but also advancing a shared vision for intercultural dialogue and the evolution of music in the modern world.

On October 12, the "Echoes of Millennia: International Student Cultural Exploration" event was held. Participants engaged in a series of immersive cultural experiences, including a traditional Chinese music performance, a Kunqu opera demonstration, and a visit to the Shanghai Museum. These activities allowed students to appreciate the historical and artistic depth of China through hands-on engagement and guided interpretation.

On October 14, an academic dialogue was held, Professor Lena Henningsen from Heidelberg University delivered a lecture titled “Gained in Adaptation: Lu Xun and his Fiction in Lianhuanhua Adaptation”. It was followed by engaging Q&A and commentary session with visiting Professor Wang Xirong and Professor Liu Jialin and Ph.D. candidate Liu Shinan from SJTU, who offered insights into the historical and cultural significance of these adaptations.

On October 15, the Wenzhi Lecture Series presented “Philosophers in Conversation” with Terrence Deacon (UC Berkeley) and Chen Jiaying (Capital Normal University), addressing the question: “Can There Be a Natural Science of Teleological Causality?”

The week concluded on October 16 with a Briefing on Overseas Exchange Program, hosted to support students interested in participating in international exchange programs. Representatives from the University of Bristol and student ambassadors provided detailed information on the types of programs available, application processes, credit transfer, and the scholarships opportunities.

With nearly 700 participants across five continents, this year's International Week not only reinforced existing partnerships but also opened doors for future collaboration in research, teaching, and student exchange. As part of the school's “Open Humanities” strategic direction, we remain committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and internationally engaged academic community.

Written and edited by International Office