From December 1 to 3, 2025, Lu Xiancai, Vice President of Nanjing University, led a delegation to New York and Washington, to visit United Nations Development Programme, Chinese Language Section, Human Resources Department, UN Women, China Daily USA Bureau, Columbia University, and the International Monetary Fund, actively promoting international cooperation. This trip aims to further expand the international cooperation network, promote the cultivation of global governance talents, and the internationalization of disciplines, and to facilitate the implementation of NJU's "Double First-Class" development strategy.
On December 1, Lu Xiancai led the delegation to the United Nations Headquarters in New York, conducting in-depth discussions with departments such as the Development Programme, Chinese Language Section, Human Resources Department, and UN Women. In the meeting with Xu Haoliang, the UN Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Lu Xiancai introduced NJU's achievements in discipline development and talent cultivation. He emphasized that NJU attaches great importance to internationalization and is actively exploring a "Foreign Language + Major + International Competence" global governance talent training model. Xu Haoliang highly recognized NJU's achievements and introduced the main work functions of the UNDP. Both sides conducted in-depth exchanges on how to make good use of China's resources and contribute NJU's wisdom to global sustainable development.
Meeting with Xu Haoliang, UN Under-Secretary-General and Deputy Administrator of the UNDP
In the meeting with Chen Zhongliang, Director of the Chinese Language Section of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management at the UN, Lu Xiancai introduced the achievements of NJU's UN Chinese Class, as well as talent cultivation reform projects such as NJU's general education course system in artificial intelligence and the "Beauty of Chinese Characters" general education course. Chen Zhongliang introduced the work and current situation of the Chinese Language Section, and pointed out the impact and opportunities brought by the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Both sides also conducted in-depth discussions focusing on the training of translation talents.
Lu Xiancai presents NJU souvenirs to the UN Chinese Language Section
In the meeting with Martha Helena Lopez, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources in the Department of Management, Strategy, Policy and Compliance at the UN, Lu Xiancai introduced NJU's work in cultivating talents for international organizations and sending students for internships and positions in international organizations, expressing the hope to achieve closer cooperation in education, scientific research, and international talent training. Martha Helena Lopez fully affirmed NJU's talent cultivation work, and discussed with the delegation matters such as jointly developing UN career competency courses, building a broader international development platform for NJU students.
Delegation holds talks with officials from the Department of Management, Strategy, Policy and Compliance
In the meeting with UN Women, both sides discussed matters such as renewing the memorandum of cooperation on the basis of existing cooperation.
Delegation holds talks with officials from UN Women
On the morning of December 2, Lu Xiancai and his delegation visited the China Daily USA Bureau, conducting in-depth exchanges on topics such as cooperation in media talent cultivation and students' international communication abilities, and explored matters such as jointly building student internship and practice bases and innovating internship models.
Delegation holds talks with staff from China Daily USA Bureau
In the afternoon, Lu Xiancai and his delegation visited Columbia University and held a special discussion with Professor Cheng Henan from the Center on Chinese Education, focusing on the cross-century academic ties between the two universities and undergraduate education reform. Both sides jointly reviewed the profound historical ties of Mr. Tao Xingzhi's study at Columbia University and Professor John Dewey's visit to Nanjing Higher Normal School. Lu Xiancai focused on the key work of undergraduate talent cultivation reform at NJU, looking forward to multi-dimensional cooperation with Columbia University. Professor Cheng Henan expressed that the two universities can explore co-building curriculum systems, promote student exchanges, and advance short-term exchange and joint training programs.
Lu Xiancai presents NJU souvenirs to Columbia University
On December 3, Lu Xiancai went to Washington to meet with Li Bo, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During the meeting, Lu Xiancai introduced NJU’s philosophy and initiatives for international talent cultivation. Li Bo introduced the structure and responsibilities of the IMF. Both sides also exchanged views on topics such as the delivery of economic and financial talents, expressing that they will strengthen publicity and recommendation, and coordinate with graduate supervisors to increase the recommendation of internships and employment for doctoral students in related fields.
Delegation visits the International Monetary Fund
Relevant leaders and representatives from the Student Career Guidance Center, School of Foreign Studies, School of International Studies, and Institute for International Students accompanied the visit.
