Center for Teacher Education Research at Beijing Normal University (CTER-BNU) and the Institute of Curriculum and Instruction at East China Normal University (ICI-ECNU)—both designated as Key Research Bases for Humanities and Social Sciences by China’s Ministry of Education—have maintained a long-standing partnership, marked by annual doctoral student exchange programs.

From April 20–25, 2025, a delegation of doctoral students and faculty from ICI visited CTER for an immersive academic exchange. Designed around multidimensional integration, the program featured: Academic dialogues through lectures, seminars, and forums; Classroom observations and research group meetings; Cultural activities and campus tours. This initiative not only strengthened resource sharing between the two institutions but also pioneered a collaborative model for nurturing young scholars.

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Opening Ceremony: "Broadening Horizons at BNU"

Held on April 21 at BNU’s Yingdong Building, the opening ceremony was attended by leaders as well as representatives from both institutions, including:

• Prof. Li Qiong (CTER Executive Deputy Director)

• Prof. Song Huan (Deputy Director of Faculty of Education BNU)

• Associate Researcher Yang Chengyu (ICI Deputy Director)

Seventeen CTER and eleven ICI doctoral students kicked off the week-long exchange.

Interdisciplinary Learning & Academic Writing Workshop

On April 22, two sessions were held: A/P. Zheng Xin (ICI) discussed "Challenges and Strategies for Interdisciplinary Learning," emphasizing AI’s role and limitations in education; Dr. Wang Kai (CTER) shared practical tips on "English Academic Writing and Journal Publication."

Campus Tour: Exploring BNU’s Heritage

ICI students visited BNU’s History Exhibition Hall, delving into the university’s legacy since 1902 and its motto: "Learn to Teach, Act to Exemplify."

Classroom Observations & Academic Forums

On April 23, ICI students attended lectures by leading scholars, such as: Frontiers in Educational Theory given by Prof. Tan Chuanbao and Generative AI in Teaching Design given by Prof. Liu Meifeng. On April 24, A doctoral forum featured research presentations, including Public Discourse on Textbook Criticism via Social Media given by Xu Zixian (ICI) and How Master Teacher Studios Enhance Regional Education Quality given by Du Jiaoyang (CTER).

 Keynote Lecture: Curriculum Reform Insights

On April 24, Prof. Hu Dingrong (BNU) analyzed four decades of Chinese curriculum reforms, offering actionable advice for doctoral researchers.

Career Development Sharing Session

On April 25, two future young scholars shared their journeys. Dr. Liu Shuai (ICI) made a sharing titled as "Navigating Interdisciplinary Research" and  Postdoc Li Xiaoyan (CTER) made a sharing titled as "Strategic Academic Planning for Sustainable Careers".

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Closing: A Foundation for Future Collaboration

The program concluded with ICI’s return to Shanghai on April 25, leaving both institutions enriched by academic synergy and cross-disciplinary inspiration. Participants from CTER-BNU expressed eagerness to reunite at ICI-ECNU’s Liwa Campus in 2026 to continue this transformative exchange.