On the afternoon of December 10th, the fourth international week theme forum with the title of“New opportunities and Challenges: Exploration and Practice of University Internationalization in Post –Covid-19 Era” was held in the academic hall, Red Building. Chinese and foreign experts from various universities and scientific research institutions in Suzhou city actively participated in the forum and made keynote reports. President Xiong Sidong attended the event. The opening ceremony of the forum was presided over by Vice President Zhang Xiaohong.

 In his speech, President Xiong Sidong expressed warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to all experts and leaders. He said that Soochow University was not only a university with a long history, but also a university facing the future with feelings, style and achievements. The university adhered to the path of international school running, drove the domestic first-class with international fame, and promoted the reform and development with the concept of the international university running. He pointed out that the form, path and mode of internationalization of higher education would change significantly in Post –Covid-19 Era. The holding of the theme forum would greatly help universities to explore a new path of internationalization in Post –Covid-19 Era. 

The theme forum session was presided over by Deputy Director Zhu Lvhua from the International Cooperation and Exchange Department of Soochow University. Vice President Yu Aibing from Monash University, Assistant Vice President Ma Fei from Xi’an Jiaotong-liverpool University, Vice President Xie Xianning from National University of Singapore (Suzhou) Research Institute,  Director Michael Milne from the University of Sydney Center in China,  Executive Director Yang Shun from KIT China Research Institute, Senior Researcher Wang Yun from Oxford Suzhou Center for Advanced Research, Deputy Director Wang Wei from International Relations Department of Duke Kunshan University, and  Director Wang Shuao from International Cooperation and Exchange Department of Soochow University shared their international university running ideas, action strategies and practical experience in promoting the construction of world-class universities to gather consensus, innovate ideas and provide methods for the internationalization of higher education in Post –Covid-19 Era.

 As one of the characteristic brand cultural activities of Soochow University, the international week aims to open up a global cultural vision for our teachers and students, build a bridge between China and foreign exchanges, and construct a stage for the dialogue with the world. At present, it has been successfully held for four times. As one of series activities of the international week, the theme forum focuses on the innovative ideas and effective practice of the internationalization of higher education in Post –Covid-19 era, and plays a leading role in improving the internationalization level of universities, welcoming new opportunities for international cooperation and exchange in Post –Covid-19 era, and creating a new prosperous situation of “Double First-class” construction.