Major city buildings will be illuminated alongside global sites to mark the university’s 20th anniversary. The celebration highlights two decades of partnership between Liverpool and China.
A global celebration was held to mark 20 years of the Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), a unique transnational educational institution. Founded in 2006 as a partnership between the University of Liverpool and Xi'an Jiaotong University in China, the venture has seen remarkable growth. From an initial intake of 730 students in 2008, the university now serves approximately 25,000 students. Simon Jones, dean at XJTLU, described the anniversary as a time for great celebration and for students to share their hopes for the institution's future.
The festivities included traditional lion and dragon dances, highlighting the cultural bridge the university has built. Professor Tim Jones, vice-chancellor of the University of Liverpool, noted that the program has become one of the most successful transnational education models in the world, providing significant economic and cultural benefits to both the Liverpool city region and China.
In recognition of these achievements, Liverpool City Council granted XJTLU the Freedom of the City, the city’s highest civic honor, earlier this year. This award recognizes the university's exceptional contribution to the city's life and global reputation.
Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for growth and the economy, emphasized that the university has played a key role in strengthening ties between Liverpool and China over the past two decades. The partnership offers a distinct academic advantage, allowing students to broaden their experiences by extending their degrees through XJTLU. Since 2016, more than 380 students across 24 university departments have participated in these programs. This structure creates pathways for graduates to pursue further study and career opportunities on a global scale.
According to Simon Jones, the university fosters an environment where students learn from each other and benefit from the cross-cultural exchange. Beyond the academic success, the institution has also become a conduit for cultural dialogue, represented by a bronze liver bird sculpture gifted by the University of Liverpool to its partner in China to symbolize the East-West connection. Looking forward, leaders remain committed to sustaining this partnership, which they believe will continue to shape education and innovation for decades to come.
