From May 19th to 20th, an expert panel conducted an on-site review for the Quality Assurance Certification of Higher Education for International Students at Yunnan University of Finance and Economics (YUFE). The delegation was led by Feng Junying, former Education Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, with Zhang Jian, former Dean of the International Education College at Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, serving as the panel chair.

University leaders, including Party Secretary Chen Hong, President Wang Min, and Vice President Yan Ming, participated in the review activities.

At the opening meeting on the morning of May 19th, President Wang extended a sincere welcome to the expert panel. He stated that YUFE has always placed great importance on the education of international students, aligning its efforts with President Xi Jinping's "three strategic positionings" for Yunnan and the province's role as a radiating center for South and Southeast Asia. He emphasized that the university's mission is to help build a community with a shared future for mankind and support the high-quality development of the "Belt and Road" Initiative, which has resulted in a distinctive cultivation model for international students.

"This certification review is a comprehensive examination of our international student education work and a vital opportunity to deepen our university's internationalization," President Wang said. "We will fully support and cooperate with the panel and look forward to their comprehensive 'health check' and diagnosis to help elevate our international student education to a new level."

Delegation leader Feng Junying provided an overview of the national quality certification process and affirmed the achievements YUFE has made in international student education in recent years. "The education of international students is a crucial component of opening up our education sector and serves as an important window for showcasing China's development, telling China's story, and sharing China's experience," she remarked. She expressed her hope that the certification would guide the university to integrate its international student programs into a broader vision of open development and implement a holistic internationalization strategy across the entire chain of teaching, management, and service. Panel Chair Zhang Jian then outlined the procedures and requirements for the on-site review.

Vice President Yan Ming delivered a comprehensive report on YUFE's international student education, covering the university's general profile, the status of its internationalization, and the highlights, achievements, and future plans for its international student programs.

Over the two-day on-site review, the expert panel conducted an intensive series of interviews with heads of functional departments, school administrators, and international student representatives to understand the university's specific measures, management models, and practical outcomes. The panel also reviewed relevant archives and conducted on-site class observations to thoroughly assess the university's compliance with management and teaching standards. Additionally, they inspected facilities such as the gymnasium, the "one-stop" student community center, cafeterias, the library, laboratories, and student dormitories to evaluate the supporting conditions for international student education.

At the feedback meeting on May 20th, Panel Chair Zhang Jian presented the expert group's preliminary findings. The panel highly commended YUFE's work, noting its significant achievements. They highlighted the university's success in serving national strategies, its effective "going global" initiatives, its distinctive international exchange platforms, and its robust project execution. The panel also provided constructive suggestions for areas needing improvement.

In his concluding remarks, Party Secretary Chen Hong expressed his sincere gratitude for the panel's diligent work. "The expert panel has provided a thorough analysis of the shortcomings in our international student education and prescribed the right remedies. The issues raised are objective, pertinent, and hit the mark," he stated. He affirmed that the university would elevate its perspective and solidify its responsibilities. "We will act on this feedback immediately, implement changes resolutely, and ensure the reforms are genuine and concrete. We will transform the panel's recommendations into a powerful driving force for improvement, genuinely enhancing our management level, strengthening our quality assurance system, advancing our international curriculum, and improving the quality of talent cultivation to make new and greater contributions to educational internationalization and cultural exchange."

Other attendees included Liu Zengmei, former Dean of the International Education College at Shandong University of Finance and Economics; Liu Xiaomeng, Deputy Director of the Membership Department of the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE); Wang Qi, Director of the Admissions Office of the Overseas Education College at Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics; Hu Guangyu, Senior Program Officer of the Cross-border Education Quality Assurance Department of CEAIE; as well as heads of relevant YUFE departments and schools involved in international student education.