HEYTA 2023 successfully held in Beijing
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Group photo of participating students
Participating students and academics from University of Exeter
The UK-China Higher Education Young Talent Alliance (HEYTA) 2023 was successfully held in Beijing from 4 to 6 September 2023. The event was hosted by UK-China Humanities Alliance for Higher Education (UKCHA), organised by Tsinghua University and supported by the University of Exeter. Thirty-three students from 10 member institutions in China and the UK participated in the event. This is the first time the event has been held face-to-face since HEYTA 2019.
The event, with the theme being “Exploring the History, Recounting the Blending of Civilisations”, built a bridge of communication for students across the two nations to explore the beauty of humanity. The activity combined academic lectures with cultural visits, allowing students to understand and experience the cultures of China and the UK from various perspectives. Students are encouraged to share their understandings and feelings of the Chinese and British culture through various forms such as discussions, presentations, and essays.
The three academic lectures focused on digital humanities, comparative literature and cross-cultural communication to provide attendees with some valuable insights into interactions between different cultures.
Dr Qi Yue, post-doctoral fellow from Tsinghua University, gave a lecture focused on a concept called the Wen （文）in Chinese. This is the use of square characters for calligraphy. Wen translates to patterns as everything has patterns in the world, so the use of pictographs is fitting to reflect the patterns of heaven, earth, animals, and humans. Wen represents the continuity of Chinese literary and cultural tradition, and allows us to compare regions, dynasties, states, and poems. In practice this age-old tradition means that a 2000-year-old poem can still be read, interpreted, and related to today. This is because as long as people can read Chinese characters, there are no language barriers, and so you can engage with this tradition.
Associate Professor Li Feiyue from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Tsinghua University gave a lecture focused on the methodology and new forms of literature evolving in this field. Since we now have a huge amount of data, it can be applied in three ways: searching, statistical analysis, and graphical representation. ChatGPT is one such tool that can be applied in such a manner. In his lecture, Prof Li focussed on the change this is bringing about in the humanities disciplines.
Associate Professor Chen Xiangjing from the Department of Foreign Language and Literature gave a lecture focused on translation, modernity, and the remaking of “Area”. By studying Naoki Sakai, Prof Chen discussed how translation is indispensable for cross-cultural communication – firstly, through the practice of translation deciphering what seems unfamiliar, and, secondly, through the transference of the message between two languages where each language is clearly defined as internally homogenous and continuous. As this is assuming that the two languages are symmetrical in translation, therefore, translators play a pivotal role in adopting a non-assuming approach when addressing a heterogenous, multilingual community. Finally, “Area” studies are evolving, emphasizing global knowledge production, with Asia contributing significantly to global insights.
In addition to the lectures, students participated in cultural visits. Besides the Tsinghua Campus which is famous for long history and beautiful scenery, and the Tsinghua University Art Museum, students also visited cultural landmarks such as the Forbidden City and the 798 Art District to appreciate the rich cultural heritage of China, to experience the modern and innovative cultural atmosphere, and to personally experience the inheritance of Chinese civilisation in historical changes.
HEYTA is an important part of the UKCHA, aiming at promoting the participation of students from China and the UK in global dialogue around humanities, and enhancing their cultural understanding through the exchange of ideas. Over the past three years, the University of Exeter has played a leading role in the UKCHA as the coordinating institution for the wider UK membership, working alongside the UKCHA secretariat at Tsinghua University in fostering collaboration and understanding among 17 member universities across the two nations.
Prof Li Li, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter said in her opening speech: ‘Our mission within the alliance extends beyond the borders and encompasses a rich chemistry of academic endeavours. We facilitate academic conferences, exchanges and various gatherings, all intending to advance academic research and educational collaboration as well as nurturing friendship and understanding. The HEYTA conference is one of such examples, and in my heart the brightest jewel in the crown.’ She said that she believes that the humanities disciplines provide us with historical perspectives that contextualise our present, offer insight into universal themes that transact time and place, and cultivate a sensitivity to symbolism, metaphor, and artistic expression that elevates our everyday experiences. On occasion such as this, the importance of this pursuit becomes even more apparent to develop future leaders who are able to build collaborative relationship across borders and cultures.
Prof Wang Hongwei, Vice President of Tsinghua University and Prof Yan Haiping, Chair of the Executive Council and Secretary-General of UKCHA and Dean of the Institute for World Literatures and Cultures at Tsinghua, Mr Wang Rui, President of Tsinghua Youth League, Ms Xiao Qian, Deputy Director of the Office of International Affairs at Tsinghua and Ms Zhao Chen, Head of Science and Research of British Council China also attended the event.
The participating students of HEYTA 2023 come from 10 UK and Chinese universities including University of Exeter, SOAS University of London, University College London, University of Manchester, University of Oxford, University of Warwick, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Wuhan University, Shanghai International Studies University and Chinese University of Hong Kong.
The HEYTA 2023 was a wholly new experience for participating students and impressed them a lot.
Emily Aggarwal from University of Exeter said: ‘Attending the HEYTA Conference in Beijing was an enriching experience that opened my eyes to another culture and left me inspired by the power of global dialogue and understanding.’
Erin Osman from University of Manchester said: ‘HEYTA was an amazing few days full of great conversations, new cultural experiences, sight-seeing, and exchanges of academic interests and ideas. I had a wonderful time — and certainly feel like a better, more confident, and well rounded person because of it. I hope to stay in contact with all of the HEYTA 2023 cohort and am excited to see where our future careers will take us!’
Mandy Liu from University College London said: ‘Tsinghua truly demonstrated itself as an international institution as it provided us with top-notch interdisciplinary and cross-cultural lectures and activities, allowing us to bond deeply. I’m very grateful for this experience and looking forward to more of HEYTA.’
With contributions from George Koutsouris and James Andrews, University of Exeter. Photos courtesy of Tsinghua University
