On 27 May 2026, our university’s Sixth International Culture Festival kicked off amidst great anticipation from staff and students across the campus. Organised by the School of International Education, the event aimed to showcase the diverse cultures of various countries and foster mutual understanding and exchange between Chinese and international staff and students. The atmosphere at the event was vibrant, with international students from all over the world joining Chinese staff and students to present a spectacular cultural feast. Chen Zhihua, Member of the Standing Committee of the University Party Committee and Vice-Chancellor; Liu Zhongxian, Member of the Standing Committee of the University Party Committee and Vice-Chancellor; Shen Zonglei, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Division (Office of Cooperation and Exchange with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) of the Municipal Education Commission; Li Xuehui, Deputy Director of the International Exchange Division (Office for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs) of Tianjin Agricultural University; teachers and students from Tianjin University of Technology and Education, as well as heads of relevant functional departments at our university, principal Party and administrative officials from the relevant colleges, and representatives of staff and students, all gathered to witness this multicultural celebration.
At 3:00 pm, the opening ceremony of the Cultural Festival was held with great pomp in the Grand Lecture Theatre of the School of International Education. In his address, Liu Zhongxian stated that the International Cultural Festival, upholding the principles of ‘diversity and inclusivity, mutual learning and exchange’, has become a flagship event for showcasing diverse cultures and promoting international exchange. The festival is not only a cultural feast but also a bridge connecting the world, helping to cultivate global talents with an international outlook and cross-cultural communication skills. The university encourages students to actively participate in exchanges and interactions, to foster understanding and friendship, and to contribute to promoting friendly exchanges between China and other countries and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Following the speeches, Chen Zhihua, Liu Zhongxian, Shen Zonglei and Li Xuehui took to the stage together to touch the globe on the stage. As the countdown played on the screen, all the teachers and students present witnessed the official launch of the Sixth International Cultural Festival. The event then commenced with cultural performances by our school’s teachers and students.
Chen Zhen from Nigeria delivered an inspiring speech in Chinese; the Chinese students’ guqin performance of ‘When Will the Moon Be Full?’ showcased the charm of the East; the African students’ performance of traditional African dance brought an exotic flair to the stage; and the martial arts sword and diabolo performances, jointly presented by Chinese and international students, perfectly created a visual feast blending Chinese and international elements. Finally, a rendition of ‘We Are the World’ sung jointly by Chinese and international students brought the atmosphere to a climax, treating the audience to a truly spectacular audiovisual feast. Through their talent and enthusiasm, teachers and students from both China and abroad skilfully blended cultural elements from different nations, expressing their shared passion for culture and the arts, as well as their sincere friendship that transcends national borders—all of which closely aligned with the school’s educational theme of ‘Sino-foreign cooperation, sharing beauty together’.
Following the opening ceremony, the ‘Exotic Cultures’ showcase officially began. On the forecourt of the School of International Education, dozens of distinctive exhibition pavilions, each named after a country, were arranged in an orderly fashion, resembling a miniature ‘World Cultural Corridor’. International students from various nations, dressed in their traditional ceremonial attire, enthusiastically introduced the customs and traditions of their home countries to the passing staff and students. The food stalls were bustling with people, the air filled with enticing aromas—from the spicy dishes of South Asia to the hand-mixed rice dishes of Central Asia, and from African specialities to exquisite Russian desserts—leaving staff and students lingering in delight. The costume exhibition area was equally captivating, with traditional ethnic attire from different continents and countries drawing crowds of staff and students to stop and try them on, or take photos as mementos. Everyone moved between the various exhibition tents, sampling authentic cuisine, trying on exotic attire and exchanging cultural customs, with laughter and cheerful conversation filling the air. Amongst the crowd, a Moroccan student remarked: ‘I am delighted to be able to promote our country’s traditional culture in a foreign land; it gives us great satisfaction to see the curiosity and appreciation shown by the university’s staff and students towards Moroccan culture.’ A student from Tajikistan added: “We are delighted that the staff and students at the university have enjoyed the dishes we prepared ourselves from our homeland, and we look forward to more events like this in the future.”
Amidst enthusiastic applause and cheers, the opening ceremony of this year’s International Culture Festival came to a successful close. Staff and students were left wanting more and expressed their keen intention to actively participate in the festival’s upcoming events. The successful staging of this opening ceremony not only showcased the achievements of the university’s internationalization efforts but also highlighted its respect for and embrace of cultural diversity. Since the university first admitted international students in 2009, the total number of international students in China had reached over 1,400 by May 2026, including more than 600 degree-seeking students. The source countries of these students have expanded to 40 nations, gradually forming an education system for international students in China cantered on four fully English-taught degree programs—Civil Engineering, Visual Communication Design, Surveying and Mapping Engineering, Civil and Hydraulic Engineering (Master’s) as the mainstay, supplemented by non-degree programs such as foundation year students and visiting scholars. Moving forward, the university will focus on developing the International Cultural Festival as a flagship event, organizing a wider range of vibrant cultural exchange activities to provide staff and students with more platforms to understand the world and broaden their horizons. This will drive the flourishing development of international student education and the university’s internationalization efforts, building new momentum for the ‘Study at Chengda’ brand. Through high-quality international education, the university will support the high-quality development of its own endeavors and the shaping of the ‘Study in Tianjin’ brand, thereby effectively contributing to Tianjin’s strategy for high-level opening up.
