Date: June 2, 2023 

Source: Jinan University-University of Birmingham Joint Institute 

Authors: Liu Jiaxin

Translators: XIAO Zhizhi, LUO Wei

Dream Plus, a brand event of the Jinan University-University of Birmingham Joint Institute, was held on May 25 in the Intellectual Property Building on JNU's Panyu campus. The theme was Math Writes a New Chapter, Brain Empowers a New Journey. The event combined with the institute's mathematics-based talent cultivation mode to guide students to actively embrace the digital age and contribute to the construction of digital China.

(Scene of Dream Plus)

(Li Hanxiang presenting the abilities and practical applications of ChatGPT)

Joint Institute students Su Weite (class of 2022), Que Yixiao (class of 2021), Luo Ningfeng (class of 2020), and Li Hanxiang (class of 2019) gave speeches titled Digitalization: A Driving Force for the Entertainment Industry's Rapid Development, Pros and Cons of Digital Learning, he Application of Digitalization in Research and Internships and Abilities and Practical applications of ChatGPT, respectively. They discussed the changes brought by the comprehensive upgrade of learning, working and entertainment in the digital age. They also pointed out that contemporary students facing the challenges of digitalization should take advantage of it and view its positive effects to take the essence and discard the dross. 

(Christopher Good discussing the impact of digitalization on life)

The University of Birmingham's deputy head, Christopher Good, Prof. Jamie Alcock and international admissions officer Rachel Du Croz, along with JNU Profs. Wang Wenjun and Wu Zujian, elaborated on digitalization's origin and development and its impact on higher education through their cultural backgrounds and personal experiences. The sharing by the Chinese and Birmingham teachers was vivid and in-depth, each with a distinct focus, and they used humorous language while maintaining academic rigor to further teachers' and students' knowledge of digitalization.

(The question-and-answer session)

(Li Qiong delivering closing remarks)

Li Qiong, dean of the Joint Institute, pointed out that the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposed to promote the digitalization of education and to build a society and country where lifelong learning is pursued by all. She noted that digital literacy had emerged as an important indicator of social civility, well-rounded human development and national soft power. She predicted that students would acquire professional knowledge as well as enhance their digital literacy and skills to meet the new requirements for talents in the digital age.