On the afternoon of October 13, 2025, the pre-departure meeting for the exchange program to Kyoto University of Education was successfully held at Mingyuan Hall of the UNESCO Teacher Education Centre (TEC). The meeting aimed to clarify the itinerary and build consensus for teachers and students about to embark on the exchange trip to Kyoto University of Education, ensuring the exchange activities proceed in an orderly and efficient manner. Attendees included Professor Hu Guoyong, Director of the International Teacher Education Center of Shanghai Normal University; Professor Wang Lixin, Vice Dean of the Graduate School of Shanghai Normal University; and over a dozen teachers and students participating in the program. The meeting was chaired by Associate Professor Zhang Huafeng from the International Teacher Education Center of Shanghai Normal University.
Starting from the significance of international educational exchanges, Director Hu Guoyong encouraged the participating students to cherish this opportunity: to broaden their international perspective and gain educational insights during the overseas exchange, while emphasizing the need to strictly abide by codes of conduct and demonstrate the fine demeanor of Shanghai Normal University’s faculty and students. Regarding safety issues, Director Hu Guoyong repeatedly urged everyone to travel in groups and stay vigilant at all times. Vice Dean Wang Lixin expressed his expectation that the students would deeply experience Japan’s education system—especially the unique features of Kyoto University of Education in teacher education—and put forward requirements for them to be diligent in observing, thinking, discussing, recording, and comparing, so as to accumulate experience for their future professional development.
Song Qingqing from the International Teacher Education Center of Shanghai Normal University, who will serve as the team leader, introduced the itinerary for the trip to Kyoto University of Education. Since there are 14 students traveling to Japan this time, Teacher Li Jialing, Deputy Section Chief of the Ideological and Political Office of the Graduate Student Affairs Department of Shanghai Normal University, will lead the team together.
To ensure the smooth implementation of cross-cultural STEM courses, the students participating in this program have made meticulous preparations for several months. In June this year, under the guidance of Professor Wang Jie, Deputy Director of the International Teacher Education Center of Shanghai Normal University, the students conducted mock teaching at Xuhui Experimental Primary School in Xuhui District, gaining teaching experience through practical drills. In October, under the leadership of Teacher Yuan Jia from the International Department of Shanghai Experimental School and others, they completed internship teaching at the First Affiliated Primary School of Shanghai Normal University, so as to adapt to the teaching environment in advance and refine team collaboration.
Photos and Text Contributions: UNESCO Teacher Education Centre (TEC)
