April 19, 2025 – Nanfang College, Guangzhou (NCG) hosted the inaugural Southern Education Principals' Forum under the theme "Bridging Secondary and Higher Education: Cultivating Future-Ready Talent”. Co-organized by the Guangdong Private Education Association and the Guangzhou Education System Working Committee, the event brought together over 300 educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to to jointly explore innovative models for seamlessly integrating secondary and higher education, fostering cohesive pathways to cultivate high-caliber, application-oriented professionals.
Zhao Kang, President of the Guangdong Private Education Association, framed the forum as a pivotal step toward educational modernization:"This initiative represents Guangdong’s innovative response to national talent development strategies and a blueprint for the Greater Bay Area’s educational future. We envision a collaborative ecosystem where secondary schools, universities, and industries jointly nurture application-oriented professionals equipped to drive regional growth."He urged NCG to leverage its agility as a private institution and the Greater Bay Area’s industrial strengths to pioneer a "School-University-Industry" talent pipeline, integrating STEM education with real-world innovation.
President Tang Tao, President of NCG and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a keynote titled "Mathematics in the AI Era: Building Core Competencies." He emphasized:"Mathematical literacy is no longer optional—it’s the bedrock of critical thinking in an AI-dominated world. We must reignite students’ passion for mathematics by linking abstract concepts to real-world problem-solving, from algorithm design to ethical AI development.”
Professor Cao Yiming of Beijing Normal University, in his address "AI-Driven Transformation of Teaching and Assessment," highlighted technology’s dual role:"AI tools can personalize learning, optimize assessments, and bridge equity gaps. However, we must navigate challenges like data privacy and redefine teachers’ roles as mentors in this hybrid human-machine educational paradigm.”
Prof. Liu Wenbin, NCG’s Vice President, outlined the college’s internationalization strategy:"Through partnerships with QS Top 100 institutions like the University of British Columbia and the University of Reading, we’re designing globally aligned curricula that blend academic rigor with industry foresight. Our upcoming collaborations will extend to elite secondary schools, creating seamless pathways for students to thrive in cross-cultural environments.”
The roundtable forum facilitated vibrant exchanges among education experts and secondary school representatives. Participants delved into school leadership philosophies, shared best practices in talent cultivation, and discussed innovative teaching methodologies. Together they mapped emerging pathways for educational advancement in the AI era, proposing actionable solutions to bridge secondary and higher education in nurturing high-caliber, industry-ready professionals.
This forum crystallized collective insights and established a critical dialogue platform between schools and universities. It equipped NCG with strategic directions to align with national college entrance examination reforms and societal demands. Moving forward, NCG will deepen partnerships with Guangdong’s secondary schools through:
Curriculum Co-Design to streamline academic transitions;
Joint Innovation Labs for early research exposure;
Resource-Sharing Platforms to optimize educational equity.
These collaborations will accelerate the development of a self-sustaining, high-quality talent ecosystem to meet regional and global challenges.
Distinguished Participants
The event welcomed:
Mr. Zhang Yaorong, Executive Vice President, Guangdong Private Education Association
Mr. Li Jianchao, Party Secretary, Nanfang College, Guangzhou
Mr. Zhi Xiucong, Deputy Party Secretary, Nanfang College, Guangzhou
Mr. Lu Jingqiang, Deputy Director, Conghua District Education Bureau
And Senior college entrance examination strategists, principals, administrators, and faculty from Guangdong’s leading senior high schools.
Source：https://local.cctv.com/2025/04/20/ARTIkWzmLVMhy7GK0TJN9eCd250420.shtml
