by  Guangxiang Leon Liu (刘广祥)
PhD Candidate in Applied English Linguistics, Department of English, CUHK

The UK-China Higher Education Young Talent Alliance (HEYTA) 2024 Student Conference at the University of Exeter (3 – 5 September 2024, UK) was a transformative experience that broadened my horizons and challenged my perspectives. Over three intense days, I engaged with 40 talented students from top universities in the UK and China, exploring themes of Interconnectivity, Interculturality, AI & Technology, and UN Sustainable Development Goals. One of the most enriching aspects of the conference was the opportunity to collaborate with students from the University of Exeter. Together, we developed and presented on “Social class, educational inequity, and unequal digital literacies surrounding AI”. This project pushed me to critically examine the intersection of technology and social issues in education, a theme that resonated throughout the conference. In addition, the sessions on AI in Education were particularly eye-opening. I gained valuable insights into the potential of AI to personalize learning experiences as well as the importance of ensuring equitable access to AI-enhanced education. Another profound learning experience came from the discussions on decolonizing education. These sessions challenged me to confront the persistent colonial legacies in our educational systems and inspired a commitment to promoting diverse perspectives in my academic journey.

Throughout the conference, the importance of international collaboration in addressing global challenges was a recurring theme. Engaging with peers from diverse backgrounds not only expanded my cultural understanding but also reinforced the value of cross-cultural dialogue in problem-solving. As I reflect on this experience, I’m struck by how much it has shaped my academic and personal outlook – The conference has not only deepened my understanding of the complex interplay between technology, education, and social equity but also fostered a network of like-minded peers committed to driving positive change. Moving forward, I’m eager to build on these insights, stay connected with the HEYTA community, and apply what I’ve learned to make a meaningful impact in my academic and professional pursuits. This conference has been a catalyst for growth, equipping me with new perspectives and a reinvigorated sense of purpose as I navigate the complexities of our global educational landscape.

Conference history

HEYTA is the student conference of UKCHA that, since its establishment in 2016, has held multiple conferences, exchanges, and events among scholars, making significant social impact. To expand academic discussion and cooperation in the student community, HEYTA was initiated in 2019, exploring ways for students to engage in humanities and social sciences-related conversations between the UK and China. In April 2019, the first HEYTA event was successfully held at Tsinghua University, Beijing, with delegates engaging in a range of visits, lectures, and workshops which promoted intercultural exchange in humanities and social science disciplines. From 2020 to 2023, the University of Exeter and Tsinghua University have successfully organised in turn four virtual and face-to-face events to foster valuable dialogue between young people across the two countries.

After the Covid-19 period, HEYTA 2023 also took place at the University of Tsinghua in Beijing, China, and was attended by 16 students from a range of UK universities (University of Exeter; University of Oxford; University of Warwick; University of Manchester; University College London and SOAS University of London) – alongside students from major Chinese universities, including Tsinghua and Fudan. Students attended a series of lectures, cultural activities, and visits to the Forbidden City, local museums, and art galleries, and we were introduced to the Chinese culture.