From September 7 to 13, 2025, Professor Noriko Katayama and Dr. Yoshihiro Akagawa from Kyoto University of Education, Japan, led a delegation of 8 graduate students to visit the Teacher Education Centre under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO TEC) . During the visit, the delegation conducted exchanges with graduate students from Shanghai Normal University (SHNU) and, under the organization of UNESCO TEC, visited frontline primary and secondary schools in Shanghai as well as cultural facilities for observational learning.
On the evening of September 7 and the morning of September 8, UNESCO TEC organized a welcome meeting and Sino-Japanese graduate student exchange activities in an orderly manner, building a friendly platform for in-depth interaction between the two sides. At the welcome meeting on the evening of September 7, Professor Hu Guoyong, Deputy Director of UNESCO TEC, delivered a speech on behalf of the Centre. He extended sincere and warm welcome to the delegation from Kyoto University of Education (hereafter referred to as the Delegation) and affirmed the significance of this exchange between the two universities, laying a friendly foundation for subsequent activities.
On the morning of September 8, Dr. Song Qingqing from the Research Institute for International and Comparative Education at SHNU systematically introduced the current status of Shanghai’s education development to the Delegation members and interpreted the new trends and directions in the advancement of education reform. This helped the Delegation gain a preliminary understanding of Shanghai’s education system. Subsequently, graduate students from China and Japan engaged in lively exchanges on core topics such as education systems and cultural traditions, focusing on differences of mutual concern. The discussion was conducted in a lively atmosphere, where participants freely expressed their views and inspired each other, effectively enhancing mutual understanding and consensus. After the exchange activities, graduate student representatives from SHNU volunteered as guides and led the Delegation on a tour of SHNU’s Xuhui Campus. This visit visually showcased the university’s educational environment and humanistic style, further deepening the Delegation’s impression of the school.
On the afternoon of September 8, the Delegation visited Shanghai Jianping Experimental Dijie Middle School. Principal and Party Secretary Gao Zhongchao of the school warmly welcomed the Delegation on behalf of all teachers and students, and introduced to them the school’s educational philosophy, profile of teachers and students, development history and current status, as well as the international exchange programs being carried out by the school. Afterwards, the Delegation observed a math class themed Arithmetic Square Root and discussed the design, preparation and organization of the class. Later, graduate students from Kyoto University of Education delivered a cultural exchange class themed Japanese Origami Culture to the students of Shanghai Jianping Experimental Dijie Middle School. The two sides conducted friendly exchanges on education and teaching practices.
On September 9, the Delegation visited the International Division of Shanghai Experimental School (SHES). Deputy Party Secretary Chen Hui, Director Fu Yun of the International Division, and student representatives from the International Division warmly received the Delegation members. Deputy Secretary Chen Hui gave a detailed introduction to the school’s founding history, educational philosophy, campus construction status and international school-running characteristics, with a focus on showcasing the school’s explorations in curriculum innovation—including the development of a school-based curriculum system, interdisciplinary integration practices, and the in-depth application of an AI teaching platform. The visiting teachers and students showed strong interest in the school’s curriculum setup, and the two sides held in-depth exchanges on this topic. Later, under the careful arrangement of SES International Division, several outstanding teachers from the division demonstrated a series of classes to the Delegation, covering art, mathematics, English, Chinese language and literature, and science. At noon on September 9, coinciding with a special performance by the Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre at the school, the Delegation joined all teachers and students of the school in enjoying classic excerpts such as Qiu Jiang (Autumn River), Chi Sang Zhen (Red Mulberry Town), and Ba Wang Bie Ji (Farewell My Concubine).
On September 10, the Delegation returned to the International Division of SHES to participate in the school’s celebration of the 41st Teachers’ Day. After the celebration, graduate students from Kyoto University of Education delivered four unique Japanese traditional culture classes to the students of SES International Division, with themes including Japanese Origami Art, Japanese Card Games, Comparison of the Characteristics of Chopsticks between China and Japan, and Comparison of Chinese and Japanese Cuisine. During the classes, the Japanese graduate students carefully designed various games based on the characteristics of each theme, allowing the students to learn and understand Japanese traditional culture through gameplay—a format that received a warm response. After the classes, the graduate students from Kyoto University of Education shared their teaching experiences with teachers from SES International Division and conducted further discussions and reflections on the classes.
On the morning of September 11, the Delegation visited the East Campus of Shanghai Experimental School. Principal Qiu Honghao of the campus warmly received the Delegation, gave a detailed introduction to the school’s educational philosophy, curriculum characteristics and campus environment, and arranged two math classes for the Delegation to observe. The beautiful campus environment and excellent classes won high praise from the visiting teachers and students.
In the afternoon, Deputy Party Secretary Chen Hui and International Division Director Fu Yun of SHES once again received the Delegation and accompanied them on a visit to the main campus of SES, where they observed a math class for 10th-grade students (senior high school first year). After the class, a lesson study seminar was held, attended by Principal Chen Xingye of SHES and Director Zhu Lin of the Senior High School Division. Principal Chen extended a welcome to the Delegation and expressed the expectation that exchanges and mutual visits would promote the further professional development of teachers from both sides. Director Zhu introduced the role of SES in the development of the national curriculum, and together with Deputy Secretary Chen Hui, Director Fu Yun, and the teacher who delivered the observed class, provided detailed answers to the Delegation’s questions.
Kyoto University of Education, Japan, is a sister school of Shanghai Normal University. The two universities have established a well-developed mechanism for exchanging graduate students for internships at each other’s universities and affiliated primary and secondary schools. This exchange activity will further consolidate the cooperative relationship between the two schools and enrich the teaching practice channels for cross-cultural exchanges among graduate students from both sides.
Photos & Text | Teacher Education Centre under the auspices of UNESCO
