The Second Session of Zhejiang University “Guiding Horizon” International Faculty Salon Series was Successfully Held

On the afternoon of November 28, the second session of the Guiding Horizon International Salon Series took place successfully on the first floor of the Chinese-Western Bookstore at Zijingang Campus. Centered on the theme of introducing humanities and social science research applications, policies, idea exchange, and experience sharing, the event drew enthusiastic participation from foreign faculty members representing 11 different countries.

GAO Jie, Deputy Director of the HR Department, opened the event with a speech highlighting the vital role international faculty members play in advancing ZJU’s internationalization efforts. She emphasized her commitment to strengthening communication with international faculty and local communities through the Salon Series. These activities aim to enhance foreign teachers' understanding of updated policies and available services, address various challenges they face, and elevate the overall management and service quality for international staff. Gao Jie also shared detailed plans for upcoming salon series events, offering a glimpse into future initiatives designed to foster deeper engagement and support.

GONG Binlei, Deputy Director of the Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences, delivered a talk titled Introduction to Scientific Research Information in Humanities and Social Sciences. His presentation covered a wide range of topics, including the development of humanities and social sciences, funding for international conferences, opportunities for international collaboration, interdisciplinary research grants in arts and sciences, think tank development, and academic exchanges. The talk also focused on a detailed overview of the application for scientific research projects and award in the humanities and social sciences.

LI Siyue, a ZJU 100 Young Professor from the College of Media and International Culture, and SUN Peijian, a ZJU 100 Young Professor from the School of International Studies, shared their insights on crafting successful research project applications with their own experience in project applications. They offered practical advice on writing compelling and effective grant proposals. Their presentations provided valuable techniques and strategies for navigating the complexities of research funding applications.

During the Q&A session, participants engaged actively by posing questions to the presenters. Deputy Director GONG Binlei and GAO Jie responded thoroughly to inquiries regarding research project applications and related policies. Following the event, attendees enthusiastically shared their feedback, describing the session as highly informative and an invaluable platform for foreign faculty. Many expressed a strong desire for similar meetings in the future, highlighting the event's usefulness in providing practical and relevant information.

In conclusion, the HR Department will continue to collaborate with relevant departments to establish and support similar platforms and communication channels for international faculty. These efforts aim to provide enhanced support for their work and daily life on campus while consistently improving the university’s internationalization management and service standards. By doing so, we strive to accelerate the development of a world-class internationalization ecosystem.