On May 13, 2025, The East & West International Conference on Pathways & International Programmes, hosted by East & West International Education Group (EWIE) and guided by the Overseas Study Services Branch of the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), was successfully held at the Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun. Focusing on the pivotal role of pathway programmes in nurturing globally competent talent, the conference brought together more than 150 educational experts, institutional representatives, and industry leaders to explore the development and future of international preparatory education.
In his opening remarks, Mr. WANG Wei, Chairman of EWIE, warmly welcomed all attendees and introduced the EWIE’s long-standing efforts and accomplishments in the field. Since 2007, EWIE has actively built an international curriculum framework driven by a dual approach of “localized integration and global accreditation.” Over the past 18 years, it has partnered with over 20 Chinese universities and received recognition from hundreds of institutions across 14 countries. EWIE has sent more than 13,000 students to major education destinations such as the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, with 20% of graduates entering QS Top 100 universities, earning widespread recognition within the education community.
Mr. CEN Jianjun, Chairman of the Overseas Study Services Branch of CEAIE, former Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange at the Ministry of Education, and former Minister-Counselor for Education at the Chinese Embassy in the United States, delivered a keynote address titled “Advancing Talent-Centric International Pathway Education.” He emphasized that international pathway education serves as a vital bridge between domestic and global higher education. He called for strengthening its educational function and maximizing its practical value. He also offered forward-looking insights and strategies in response to opportunities and challenges in talent cultivation, sparking thoughtful discussions among participants.
Mr. WU Xinping, Representative of the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in China, also delivered a special address. By analyzing current developments in higher education in both the UK and China, he underscored the essential role of international pathway programmes in enhancing cross-cultural competence, facilitating UK-China educational collaboration, and responding to global educational trends.
During the featured speech session, YAN Haixia and FENG Jianghua, heads of the International Curriculum Center at EWIE, spoke respectively on the themes “Daring to Explore, Building Strength Over Time — The Development of East & West Pathway Programs” and “Innovating with Determination, Pursuing Excellence — The Future of East & West Pathway Programs.” They shared the challenging journey of East & West Pathway Programs from their founding to steady growth, offering valuable insights on curriculum development, teaching innovation, and student services. They also introduced future development plans, giving attendees a clear and in-depth understanding of the program’s progress and direction.
Representatives from the University of Birmingham, the University of Sheffield, and the College of Continuing Education at Chongqing University also spoke at the forum. Each presented practical experiences and achievements from International Pathway Education projects, showcasing how such programs bridge high-quality education resources across borders and presenting a vibrant picture of global foundation education in action.
At the accreditation ceremony, six educational institutions — the International Education Center of Dalian University, the School of Continuing Education at China University of Geosciences (Beijing), the School of Continuing Education at Jiangnan University, Melton International School in Qingdao, Northwestern Polytechnical University, and Kangqiao School in Xinzhan High-Tech Zone, Hefei — were awarded the plaque of “East & West International Curriculum Cooperation Center.” This marked a further expansion and refinement of the global platform for international pathway education jointly promoted by EWIE and its partners.
During the panel discussion session, themed “International Pathway Education and the Globalization of Education,” several distinguished guests gathered for an in-depth dialogue, including: Ms. Le Ying, Deputy General Manager of the Shanghai Center, EWIE; Ms. Claire Guo, Project Manager of the University of Sheffield China Office; Mr. Yao Hanbin, China Admissions Officer at Lancaster University; Mr. Zhang Jing, Director of China Education International Exchange Center; and Mr. Wu Xinping, Representative of the Cultural & Education Section, British Embassy in China. The panelists explored key issues surrounding the positioning, development trends, opportunities and challenges of international pathway education in the context of globalized education in the new era. They shared the response strategies and innovative practices of their respective institutions, offering the audience a multidimensional perspective and broadening the vision for the future development of international pathway education.
The Q&A session that followed was lively and interactive, fully reflecting the conference’s open, inclusive, and pragmatic atmosphere of exchange.
It is understood that this conference marks the first of its kind in China’s international pathway education field. It has opened a new chapter for enhanced collaboration, mutual support, and shared development. With the momentum from this gathering, international pathway education is set to make more solid strides in the future — contributing to the cultivation of outstanding talents who possess national awareness, international understanding, cross-cultural competence, and the ability to meet global challenges, and driving international educational exchange and cooperation to new heights.