Letter from the Executive President: Reconstructing for the next decade
In 2026, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) marks its 20th anniversary. As it stands at the threshold of its third decade, one thing is clear: XJTLU’s development has never followed a linear path. Instead, it has been shaped by a series of deliberate choices – each grounded in forward-looking judgement and periodic self-renewal.The evolution of disciplines related to film and creativity offers a telling example. The establishment of the School of Film and Television Arts (SoFTA) was initially driven by a careful assessment of social demand and institutional opportunity. External resources and industry conditions played a role; more fundamentally, however, the University recognised that culture and arts would assume growing importance in shaping human values and social systems. This led XJTLU to position itself early as a centre for the education of professional arts specialists, forming what is described as a 1.0 model focused on elite, discipline-based training.
3 Feb 2026
