School News

On November 1, 2025, the academic symposium “Country and Region Studies in Foreign Language Disciplines: Innovative Transformation and Talent Cultivation” was successfully held in Xi’an. Jointly organized by Northwest University, Shanghai Foreign Language Education Publishing House, and the editorial department of Foreign Language World, the event aimed to explore pathways for integrating foreign language disciplines with international and country and region studies in the new era, and to promote high-quality development in foreign language education. Nearly a hundred experts and scholars from universities and research institutions across the country gathered to discuss innovative approaches for advancing foreign language disciplines and to engage in in-depth exchanges on cutting-edge theoretical and practical issues related to “foreign languages + country and region studies.”

The opening ceremony of the seminar was held in the Guo Chaoren Auditorium at the Northwest University Chang’an Campus in the morning. Professor Cao Ruonan, Dean of School of Foreign Language, presided over the ceremony. The first segment of the opening ceremony featured a welcome speech by Professor Fan Daidi, Vice President of Northwest University, who extended a warm welcome to the attending experts and scholars on behalf of the university. She emphasized the significant role of foreign language disciplines in national foreign strategies, mutual learning among civilizations, and international communication. At the same time she provided a brief overview of the achievements made by the university in recent years in integrating foreign language studies with country and region studies. Following this, Ye Qing, the vice president of Shanghai Foreign Language Education Publishing House, highlighted in his opening remarks that foreign language disciplines should leverage publishing resources and academic platforms to promote the high-quality integrated development of foreign languages + country and region studies.

Vice President of Northwest University Fan Daidi making welcome speech

Deputy Director of Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press Ye Qing making speech

Dean Cao Ruonan hosting the symposium

In the subsequent keynote forum, seven invited experts delivered keynote speeches in succession. Professor Zhao Ronghui from Shanghai International Studies University, in her presentation  “Country and Region Studies with Language as the Pathway”, elaborated on the central role of language in the global knowledge production system. She pointed out that foreign language disciplines should avoid the misconception that knowing a foreign language equates to being able to conduct research and should actively explore practical pathways for country and region studies with language as the core approach. Professor Cai Shengqin from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law shared innovative approaches to interdisciplinary research between literature and legal texts. Professor Li Jianbo, Executive Deputy Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Zhejiang International Studies University, discussed the orientation of country and region studies within foreign language disciplines. Professor Mao Haoran from China University of Petroleum (East China) proposed a paradigm shift in country and region studies from grand narratives to precise deconstruction. Professor Zhang Weilei from Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, Professor Liu Wenxia from North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, and Professor Li Qian from Northwestern Polytechnical University shared their latest findings on foreign language talent cultivation, disciplinary differentiation, and the construction of a “macro-country and region studies” framework in engineering universities, respectively. The experts’ reports spanned multiple dimensions, from linguistics and literature to policy research and talent cultivation, fully demonstrating the broad prospects of foreign language disciplines in the field of country and region studies.

Seven invited experts delivering keynote speeches

On the afternoon of the 1st, the conference held parallel sessions of the “Disciplinary Development Roundtable” and “Thematic Forums.” The Disciplinary Development Roundtable took place in the conference room of our school, where Professor Cao Ruonan and participating experts engaged in in-depth discussions on the severe challenges and opportunities facing the development of foreign language disciplines under new circumstances. Drawing on recent practices from their respective institutions, the experts exchanged insights on mechanisms for interdisciplinary collaboration, reforms in cross-disciplinary talent cultivation systems, international training pathways for less commonly taught languages, optimization of curriculum systems, and linkage mechanisms between research and think tanks. The roundtable reached a preliminary consensus: foreign language disciplines should proactively collaborate with their universities’ strengths and research platforms to establish a cross-language, cross-domain, and cross-departmental cooperative education system, further integrating teaching content with area studies.

The conference

The conference featured four thematic forums. Sub-forum 1, chaired by Professor Tian Jin from our school, focused on the theme of “Interdisciplinary Talent Cultivation System in Foreign Languages + Country and Region Studies”. Experts discussed issues such as optimizing language program structures, integrating curriculum and practice, and the development of regional databases. Sub-forum 2, chaired by Associate Professor Su Tiping from Xi’an International Studies University, centered on the theme of "Teaching Models and Educational Impact of Foreign Languages + Country and Region Studies." Scholars explored diverse teaching frameworks, balancing AI empowerment with humanistic leadership, and reconstructing textbook systems with Chinese characteristics. They also analyzed practical pathways for the Belt and Road Initiative and international student education. Sub-forum 3, chaired by Professor Li Tie from our school, addressed the theme of “Policy, Governance, and Planning in Foreign Languages + Country and Region Studies”. Discussions covered language policies in various regions worldwide, the interplay between language governance and area studies, and the relationship with nation-state building. Sub-forum 4, chaired by Associate Professor Zhu Yuanyuan from Northwestern Polytechnical University, revolved around the theme of “New Paradigms in Humanities and Social Sciences Research for Foreign Languages + Country and Region Studies.” The forum engaged in lively discussions on topics such as the academic traditions and methodological innovations in foreign language disciplines, decolonization perspectives, the synergy between humanistic literacy and technological empowerment, and localization strategies in cultural translation. In summary, the four sub-forums, each focusing on different dimensions, provided a detailed and comprehensive demonstration of the diversified integration trends and continuous innovation potential of foreign language disciplines in theoretical innovation, educational practice, and serving national strategies.

Four thematic forums

In addition, this conference specially featured a Graduate Student Academic Salon and an Undergraduate Student Forum. Graduate and undergraduate students from the School of Foreign Language at Northwest University engaged in discussions on topics such as language policy, cross-cultural communication, regional governance, AI-enabled foreign language learning, and comparative literature studies. Their presentations demonstrated the diverse explorations and innovative thinking of Northwest University students in the field of Foreign Languages + Country and Region Studies. Participating experts highly praised the students’ research topics and academic expression, noting that the involvement of young scholars has injected sustained momentum into the development of the discipline.

Graduate Student Academic Salon and an Undergraduate Student Forum

After the parallel forums, the closing ceremony of the conference was held. First, representatives from each sub-forum presented summary reports to the assembly. Subsequently, Zhao Zhihou, the Secretary of the school’s Party Committee, delivered the closing address. He stated that Northwest University will fully incorporate the outcomes of this conference and continue to leverage the School of Foreign Language profound foundation in language, culture, and international studies, giving full play to its leading role in country and region studies and its strengths in talent cultivation. In the future, Northwest University will seize the opportunities presented by the approval of the first-level doctoral program in Country and Region Studies in 2024 and the establishment of the School of Country and Region Studies in 2025 to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and high-quality development. The university aims to build a talent cultivation system for “Foreign Languages + Country and Region Studies” with the School of Foreign Language as the core support, nurturing more high-level interdisciplinary talents with global perspectives, local sensitivity, and cross-cultural communication skills.

the Secretary of the School's Party Committee Zhao Zhihou delivering he closing address

The seminar, characterized by its clear theme, substantial content, and diverse formats, fully demonstrated the commitment of foreign language disciplines to serving national strategies and advancing country and region studies. By gathering insightful perspectives from domestic and international experts and scholars, the conference deepened the consensus on integrating foreign language disciplines with country and region studies, highlighting our school's dedication and initiatives in promoting interdisciplinary innovation and nurturing young talents.