Countdown to Our Twentieth

2006-2026
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2004

20 Years of XJTLU

This is a journey of innovation and breakthroughs, shaped by countless XJTLUers. Explore two decades of growth and relive the memorable moments we’ve created together.

September
Xi'an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool sign an agreement to set up XJTLU.
01
August
The Ministry of Education authorises the construction of XJTLU.
01
October
XjTLU officially establishes its inaugural Board of Directors and convenes its first meeting.
02
May
XJTLU is officially established.
01
September
XJTLU welcomes the first intake of 164 students.
02
September
More than 570 undergraduate students join XJTLU's second cohort.
01
August
Professor Youmin Xi is appointed Executive President of XJTLU and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool.
01
September
730 students enrol in the third cohort at XJTLU.
02
April
Yuan Guiren, China's Minister of Education, visits XJTLU.
01
September
More than 1,000 students begin their studies at XJTLU.
02
August
XJTLU holds its first graduation ceremony – 97% of graduates pursue postgraduate studies overseas.
01
September
XJTLU welcomes more than 1,700 new students, including over 50 international students.
02
October
XJTLU receives approval to award University of Liverpool postgraduate degrees.
03
July
XJTLU's fifth anniversary celebrations. The XJTLU Education Development Foundation is launched.
01
July
The University's second graduation ceremony is held with 513 students graduating. Nearly 90% enter world-renowned universities to pursue postgraduate study.
02
August
More than 2,200 students enrol at XJTLU.
03
May
The Ministry of Education has granted XJTLU permission to offer master's and doctoral degree programmes in conjunction with the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.
01
July
More than 649 students graduate, 31% of whom obtain a first-class honours bachelor's degree. More than 80% of graduates go to world-renowned universities for postgraduate studies.
02
August
2,200 new students begin their studies at XJTLU.
03
December
Hao Ping, Vice Minister of Education, visits XJTLU to inspect the achievements of Sino-foreign cooperative education.
04
January
The first group of seven graduate students have graduated.
01
January
Professor Sarah Dixon joins XJTLU and establishes International Business School Suzhou(IBSS).
02
June
Shi Cheng, from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, becomes XJTLU's first PhD graduate.
03
April
XJTLU holds its first direct entry recruitment process.
01
June
XJTLU hosts the inaugural meeting of the Sino-foreign Cooperative Universities Union.
02
June
The first group of eight PhD students jointly trained by XTLU and the University of Liverpool have graduated.
03
December
XJTLU motto is published.
04
May
The establishment of XJTLU Affiliated School marks the formal expansion of XJTLU's educational system into the realm of basic education, thereby achieving a seamless downward extension of the educational continuum.
01
July
A collaboration agreement is signed between XJTLU and Suzhou Industrial Park that will create a world-class platform for innovation in Suzhou.
02
May
The University holds its first research festival, celebrating '10 years of creating new knowledge'.
01
July
XJTLU officially celebrates its 10th anniversary and opens phase one of the South Campus.
02
February
The BSc Applied Chemistry programme receives accreditation from the Royal Society of Chemistry, the first for a Sino-foreign University in China.
01
May
XJTLU launches Industry and Enterprise Tailored Education (IETE), the pilot project for the University's new educational model: Syntegrative Education.
02
March
A framework agreement is signed between XJTLU and the municipal government of Taicang for cooperation in operating the new Entrepreneur College, as part of the XJTLU Syntegrative Education Model.
01
May
A cooperation agreement is signed by the China Development Bank, Suzhou Municipal People's Government, and XJTLU to launch the XIPU New Era Development Research Institute.
02
June
IBSS gains European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). IBSS makes history for being the youngest business school ever to obtain EQUIS.
03
April
In collaboration with the Taicang Municipal Government, construction of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University's new Entrepreneur College (Taicang) officially begins.
01
March
The groundbreaking ceremony for XJTLU Affiliated Taicang Experimental School takes place.
01
May
XJTLU launches Learning Mall, a unique innovation centre, set to be the first online-onsite learning ecosystem.
02
June
XJTLU ranks 46 among universities on the Chinese mainland and between the positions of 801 and 1,000 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2021.
03
September
With the completion of the new building for the School of Film of TV Arts (SOFTA), the northern and southern campuses of XJTLU have been fully constructed and are now officially in use, marking the inception of a new developmental phase for XJTLU.
04
November
XJTLU launches XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy, the first example of its model 3.0 development.
05
April
XJTLU-Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI) Academy of Industrial Technology is established to offer industry-driven postgraduate programmes.
01
May
The University celebrates its 15th anniversary by launching its Academy of Future Education and Academy of Film and Creative Technology and opening the XJTLU Learning Mall to the public. XJTLU establishes an innovation ecosystem in China's Greater Bay Area.
02
November
XJTLU launches the Finding Outstanding Chinese Educators in the New Era initiative.
03
May
The Transforming Education Conference 2022 is held at XJTLU. The University's innovative future-oriented initiatives in education have attracted the attention of domestic and international media.
01
September
Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University holds the official launch ceremony of its award-winning Taicang campus. The campus will be the new home of XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang).
02
November
XJTLU holds the ground-breaking ceremony for the XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy's new building. The building is expected to be completed and put into use in 2025.
03
In 2023, the University enters the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) Top 1% for the first time in the field of Environment/Ecology. This is the fourth field in which XJTLU has entered the ESI Top 1%, following Engineering, Computer Science, and Social Science. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, XJTLU secures a spot in the 401-500 band for the subject of education.
01
June
XJTLU releases its 2023 corporate video titled "The Future of Education".
02
July
The XjTLU Entrepreneur College (XEC) has welcomed its first 231 graduating students.
03
September
The XJTLU-Baidu Artificial Intelligence Innovation Alliance, the first of its kind in China, is officially launched.
04
November
The College of Industry-Entrepreneurs (CIE) is launched. It will foster future industries, educate and empower entrepreneurs.
05
XJTLU adds seven new master's programmes, focusing on the fields of artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology.
01
October
XJTLU holds the Strategic Ecosystem Development Conference. XJTLU leaders release the University's "2+2+1" strategy, which will integrate five players – industry, university, research, government, and society – into an ecosystem for mutual support and benefit.
02
November
Delegations of visitors from Xi'an Jiaotong University and University of Liverpool visit XJTLU for research and annual visits. Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU, remarks that 2024 is the 20th anniversary of the agreement between the University of Liverpool and Xi'an Jiaotong University to establish XJTLU. This year, he says, "the top priority is to stress the cooperation between the three universities."
03
December
The Immersive Dome Cinema at XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) has been officially unveiled and launched. The facility is internationally advanced in immersive media spaces and interdisciplinary applications, and is pioneering among higher education institutions worldwide.
01

Event Highlights

XJTLU’s 20th Anniversary calendar is here! Academic, cultural, and festive moments await – shape your own schedule, join in, and create lasting memories with us.

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Anniversary News

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The Future of Education

This video uses generative AI and creative imagery to demonstrate how XJTLU is shaping the future of education and empowering our students with skills to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Light Up the World

XJTLU’s 20th Anniversary special event is live! Light up online with a click, see city landmarks shining offline to celebrate across the globe. Click to send your special wishes to XJTLU!