From May 24 to 27, 2018, the "First Sichuan International Student Culture Festival," hosted by the Sichuan Provincial Department of Education, was held at Xichang College. International students from 27 undergraduate and vocational colleges across the province, representing over 40 countries, were invited to participate. Peng Yi, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Education, and Liao Fei, Director of the International Cooperation Office of the Provincial Department of Education, attended the opening ceremony of the event.
Fan Chen, Deputy Minister of Student Affairs and Deputy Director of the International Student Management Office, along with Teacher Zhang Jingjing from the International Cooperation Office, led 12 international students from our college to participate in the event. The cultural festival included activities such as the "Chinese Elements in My Home Country" speech competition, the "My Study - Abroad Life and Sichuan in My Eyes" photography contest, an international student talent show, and experiences of Liangshan culture and ethnic sports.
After online voting and on - site expert selection, international student Qing Song successfully advanced to the finals of the "Chinese Elements in My Home Country" speech competition. He delivered a speech titled "Seeing China from Laos," presenting the Chinese elements in Laos from a novel perspective and with a unique narrative style. His speech received enthusiastic applause and won an excellence award.
Among the 11 institutions designated by the Provincial Department of Education to participate in the talent show, Leshan Vocational and Technical College was the only vocational college. Eight international students from Laos and Thailand, dressed in traditional Han - style clothing, performed the Chinese classical dance "The Book of Songs - Cai Wei," showcasing the charm of Chinese culture that our international students have learned.
In the "My Study - Abroad Life and Sichuan in My Eyes" photography exhibition, 16 works by students from Laos and Thailand depicted their perspectives on Sichuan and their colorful study - abroad lives in China. The photographs received the highest score in the on - site expert review and won the second prize after combining the online voting scores.
During the event, a working experience exchange meeting on international student affairs was also held. Liao Fei, Director of the International Cooperation Office of the Provincial Department of Education, pointed out at the meeting that international students are bridges connecting China and the rest of the world and the foundation for China's international "Double - First - Class" initiative. Conducting international student affairs is a great responsibility and a challenging task. Colleges and universities should cooperate sincerely, conduct in - depth research, and be brave in practice to ensure the quality of international student affairs. To do a good job in international student affairs, it is necessary to have a unified consensus across the university, make proper planning and layout, leverage the advantages of distinctive and strong disciplines, and standardize the work to ensure the simultaneous development of quality and quantity.
Gao Yuan, Director of the International Students Affairs Department of the International Exchange Center of the Provincial Department of Education, conveyed the basic situation, guiding principles, and requirements of the Ministry of Education for international student affairs in the new era. She also interpreted the Ministry of Education's "Measures for the Recruitment and Training of International Students by Schools."
Representatives from participating institutions exchanged experiences on the construction of international student affairs institutions, recruitment, and management and services for international students.
During the two - day event, international students also participated in the "Experience Xichang" off - campus practical activities and sports and cultural exchange activities. They personally experienced the Yi culture and natural scenery of Liangshan and were deeply impressed by the grandeur of China's mountains and rivers and the profoundness of Chinese culture.
