From May 10 to 17, the 4thChina-US Youth Cultural Exchange Program, jointly organized by the college and Utah Valley University (USA), concluded successfully. As a project approved and supported by the Ministry of Education's 2026 "Young Envoys Scholarship" (YES) program, the college recruited 33 teachers and students from Utah Valley University to participate.ZJIET President Guo Fuchun met with the leading US faculty. The deans, heads, and representatives of faculty and students from the School of Business Intelligence, the School of Digital Finance, the School of International Education, and the International Exchange and Cooperation Center attended the opening ceremony.
With the theme "Experiencing Intangible Cultural Heritage, Perceiving AI Innovation", this study program meticulously built a diverse exchange platform. Through a series of activities including cultural experiences, AI training, corporate visits, and off-campus practical sessions, the American teachers and students gained an immersive understanding of the unique charm of China's intangible cultural heritage. They also witnessed firsthand the innovative achievements and development trends in the field of artificial intelligence, fostering an appreciation through exchange and mutual learning for the mission of Chinese vocational education in deeply cultivating cultural inheritance and empowering the digital economy.
In the cultural experience segment, focusing on the inheritance and innovation of traditional culture, immersive practical courses such as "Intangible Cultural Heritage Fan-making" and "Song Dynasty Tea Whisking"were offered. The American youth participated in hands-on traditional crafts, experiencing the elegant essence of Song Dynasty culture up close, and gaining an understanding of the depth and warmth of traditional Chinese culture through practice and reflection.
During the AI innovation training segment, leveraging the Intelligent Robot Service Center, customized featured courses like "Comprehensive Practice of Artificial Intelligence" and "Application of AI in the Finance, Economics, and Commerce Sectors"were conducted. The American participants immersed themselves in classroom teaching and academic discussions, learning about the integration paths of domestic AI technology with education, teaching, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
For the off-campus practice segment, the American delegation visited and researched local enterprises such as Zhongce Rubber Group, LiJu Intelligent Factory, and Lingdi Digital Technology. They witnessed the developmental achievements of "Made in China" empowered by digital intelligence from all angles and felt the innovative vitality and core strength of China's manufacturing industry immersively.
During the program, the group also visited iconic landmarks including the West Lake Cultural Landscape, the Yiwu International Trade Market, and Luxun's Hometown in Shaoxing. By walking through these sites, they touched the veins of history, felt the trends of the times, and experienced the vitality of commerce, perceiving the dynamic landscape of a developing China from multiple, three-dimensional perspectives.
At the closing ceremony, the head of the International Exchange and Cooperation Center delivered a summary of the program and presented completion certificates to the American teachers and students. Several American students shared their learning experiences, expressing their deep affection for Chinese culture.
During their stay, the American delegation was invited to visit the Measurement Museum of China Jiliang University and held an exchange forum with relevant faculty and students from that university.
Looking ahead, the college will continue to deepen international cultural exchanges and communication. Using the YES program as a vehicle and youth exchange as a bond, it aims to provide new momentum for mutual learning, connection, and shared growth between Chinese and American youth.
