Seminar session at Girton College
Seminar: Internationalization — challenges and opportunities for the future
Girton College · University of Cambridge
Essential skills for international education professionals in the age of AI. Delivered in partnership with Girton College, University of Cambridge.
About the Program
Chinese universities are navigating one of the most consequential periods in the history of international education.
This one-week residential program is delivered in partnership with Girton College, University of Cambridge. Now in its third year, it brings together international affairs directors, deans, and senior administrators from across China for structured learning, peer exchange, and strategic reflection at one of the world's most recognised academic institutions.
The 2026 program focuses on how rapidly advancing AI technologies are reshaping the way universities recruit students, design programs, evaluate outcomes, and communicate with international partners. Participants leave with an official Girton College certificate, a sharpened strategic framework, and a peer network spanning institutions across China.
The curriculum is directly aligned with China's 2024–2035 Education Master Plan and the Ministry of Education's priorities for student exchange, faculty development, and international research collaboration.
USIEA is Girton College's named strategic partner for programmes in China — a formal relationship listed on the Girton College website. This gives USIEA's Chinese university partners exclusive access to this program: no other pathway exists for Chinese institutions.
Key Details
Dates
26 July – 1 August 2026
Format
Fully residential, one week
Location
Girton College, University of Cambridge
Language
English (translation support available)
Certificate
Official Girton College Global Programmes certificate
Now in its
Third year
Enrollment
Limited — early application recommended
Seminar session at Girton College
Seminar: Internationalization — challenges and opportunities for the future
The Curriculum
What is internationalization, and why does it matter? Key components and strategic frameworks. Why universities are engaged in internationalization — and how priorities have shifted since COVID. China's Education Modernization Plan 2035 and its implications for international education strategy.
1Current trends in international education across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. What global trends mean for Chinese universities building or deepening international partnerships. China's YES initiative: growing the number of international students at Chinese universities.
2International education recovery after the pandemic — where are we now? Emerging program models and new partnership structures. How AI is reshaping student recruitment, program design, outcome evaluation, and international communication. Strategies for developing new partners and reaching new student populations.
What is Internationalization at Home (IaH) and why does it matter? Practical strategies for internationalizing curriculum, campus culture, and the learning environment. The critical role of faculty participation — and how to bring faculty along.
4Best practices from China's most internationalized institutions. What is working, what isn't — drawing on USIEA's research. Applying the week's learning at participants' home institutions.
5
International engagement: a Cambridge approach — University of Cambridge Strategic Partnerships Office
Cambridge Lectures
The University of Cambridge is one of the world's oldest universities and leading academic centres, and a self-governed community of scholars. Established in 1209, the University is rich in history.
Cambridge's famous Colleges and University buildings attract visitors from all over the world, while its museums and collections give an exciting insight into the scholarly activities of the University's academics and students. Its reputation for outstanding academic achievement reflects the intellectual achievement of its students over more than eight centuries, as well as the world-class original research carried out by the staff of the University and the Colleges.
Girton College, University of Cambridge
How does one of the world's most prestigious universities approach international partnerships and global engagement? This lecture, delivered by the University of Cambridge Strategic Partnerships Office, gives participants direct insight into how Cambridge builds and sustains its relationships with universities worldwide.
For Chinese administrators seeking to engage with Cambridge — or to understand how a world-leading institution thinks about international strategy — this is a rare and direct window into that thinking.
University of Cambridge Strategic Partnerships Office
Program Activities
Participants experience Cambridge as a place — its architecture, traditions, and rhythms — through a full program of cultural and social activities alongside the formal curriculum.
Formal Hall dinner at Girton College
Punting on the River Cam
The Cambridge Experience
Participants live in College accommodation for the duration of the program — the same rooms occupied by Cambridge undergraduates, set within Girton's historic buildings and grounds.
Breakfast and evening meals are included and served in Girton's dining hall, giving participants the full Cambridge collegiate experience as part of the program.
Participants are senior administrators from a range of Chinese universities, including many of the country's leading 985 and 211 institutions. The week provides structured peer exchange and builds professional relationships that extend well beyond the program itself.
Who Should Attend
This program is designed for professionals responsible for international education strategy at Chinese universities. It is not a student program — every element of the curriculum, the cohort composition, and the peer exchange is structured for those who are already leading institutional internationalization.
Enrollment is limited to preserve the quality and depth of discussion that makes the program distinctive.
Directors and staff of university international affairs and exchange offices
Academic deans and department heads with responsibility for international programs
Administrators involved in institutional internationalization strategy
Participants must be affiliated with one of USIEA's Chinese partner universities
Working English proficiency required; translation support is available for seminar sessions
Enrollment is limited — early application is recommended
Apply or Inquire
Participation is open to senior administrators from USIEA's Chinese partner university network. To apply or learn more, contact the USIEA program team directly.
Contact USIEA to applyMs. Nan Wang
USIEA Beijing Office
Applications and enquiries are handled by USIEA's Beijing office. Ms. Wang will respond with full details on the application process, fees, and available places for the 2026 cohort.
nan.wang@usiea.org