On the afternoon of May 30, 2025, the inaugural meeting of the Expert Committee for the “New Era International Employability Program for University Students,” organized by the University Graduates Employment Association, was held at Minzu University of China (Haidian Campus). The event brought together leading scholars and experts from various fields to explore strategies for enhancing international employability among university students.
Guided by the principles of “literacy as the foundation, competence as the core, and practice as the driver,” the program aims to promote student employment, support Chinese enterprises in their global expansion, and align with national development strategies. The first phase will involve selecting 50 pilot universities to establish a comprehensive international employability training system through a series of targeted initiatives.
In his opening remarks, YANG Xiaochun, Vice President of the University Graduates Employment Association, highlighted the importance of enhancing students’ global career readiness in the context of globalization. He warmly congratulated the establishment of the expert committee and expressed hope that members would contribute their expertise to ensure the program’s successful rollout. Co-chair JIANG Bo expressed strong confidence in the program’s future and encouraged experts to actively apply their professional strengths to help achieve impactful results. The meeting was chaired by ZHANG Zongming, Co-chair of the Expert Committee and Vice President of the Association.
Following the opening session, WANG Wei, Chairman of East & West International Education Group (EWIE) and President of Institute for East & West International Education, pledged the EWIE’s full support for the program. He emphasized the EWIE’s strengths in international education and experiential learning, and its commitment to helping universities cultivate globally competitive graduates.
The committee reviewed and approved the “Expert Committee Work Guidelines” and finalized the list of committee conveners and liaisons, establishing a solid foundation for structured and orderly operations. Evaluation experts presented an overview of the project review process, and attending members assessed the shortlist of candidate pilot universities.
The Program Executive Office delivered a detailed report on the current status of applications and implementation efforts. Experts were then invited to share their perspectives, offering a wide range of valuable insights and constructive suggestions. Their contributions will play a key role in refining and optimizing the program moving forward.
In closing, Co-chair ZHANG Zongming summarized the outcomes of the meeting, stating that its successful convening marks a significant step toward the program’s full-scale implementation. He emphasized the guiding role of the expert committee in ensuring the program’s success and extended heartfelt thanks to all participants for their support. Looking ahead, he expressed hope for continued collaboration to advance international employability initiatives in higher education. With concerted efforts from all parties, the program is poised to deliver strong momentum for improving global career readiness among Chinese students and contribute to the cultivation of high-quality talent with global competitiveness.