In order to deepen the academic training of doctoral students and broaden their academic horizons, the Institute of Curriculum and Instruction of East China Normal University (hereinafter referred to as "ICI") and the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University established a doctoral academic exchange mechanism in 2018. Over the years, the two sides have adhered to the concept of "mutual learning and collaborative innovation", and have selected outstanding doctoral student delegations every year to carry out cross-school exchanges, building a normalized bridge for academic exchanges.

This spring, new and old friends from the two schools met again to start a new round of in-depth academic dialogue. From April 21 to 25, Cui Yunhuo, Director of the Institute of Curriculum and Instruction of East China Normal University, Yang Chengyu, Deputy Director, Zheng Xin, Deputy Secretary and Deputy Director of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Zhang Wei, Director of the International Off-campus Education Research Center of the Curriculum Institute, and 11 doctoral students went to the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University for in-depth academic exchanges.

This exchange activity was carried out from three major sections: academic, practice and cultural immersion. The academic section includes special reports, cutting-edge lectures and academic salons, focusing on disciplinary hotspots and theoretical innovation; the practical section realizes mutual learning of research paradigms and teaching experience through participation in classroom teaching, teacher group meetings and doctoral student forums; the cultural immersion section uses campus visits and humanistic activities as carriers to deepen the cognitive integration of the spiritual core of the two schools. This cooperation not only builds a cross-school resource sharing platform, but also achieves breakthroughs in the collaborative education mechanism. Through multi-level and multi-dimensional interactive design, it injects innovative momentum into the high-quality development of education disciplines and the growth of young scholars.

On the morning of April 21, the launching ceremony of the 2025 doctoral student academic exchange project of the Institute of Curriculum and Instruction of East China Normal University and the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University was held in the 318 Liru Lecture Hall of Yingdong Building, Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University. Leaders, teacher representatives and students from both sides attended.

Mr. Song Huan, deputy director of the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University, delivered a welcome speech

Mr. Yang Chengyu, deputy director of the ICI, delivered a speech

Mr. Zhang Wei, director of the International Out-of-School Education Research Center of the ICI, delivered a speech

Mr. Song Huan, deputy director of the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University, and Ms. Yang Chengyu, deputy director of the ICI, exchanged gifts

Wang Xingzhou, a 2023 doctoral student of the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University, and Cai Qi, a 2021 doctoral student of the Curriculum Department, shared their experiences in participating in previous academic exchange projects

Mr. Zheng Xin, deputy secretary and deputy director of the ICI, and Ms. Yuan Li and Ms. Ye Juyan of the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University respectively introduced the bases and graduate training of both sides

Doctoral students from both sides conducted ice-breaking interactive activities to enhance understanding and establish friendship

This academic exchange project innovatively set up an activity agenda, and specially opened the group meeting session for the academic exchange team of the curriculum department to participate in in-depth discussions and exchanges.

From April 21 to 25, the academic exchange team of the ICI participated in the group meetings of many teachers from the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University. Cui Yunhuo, director of the Curriculum Department, and Zheng Xin, deputy secretary and deputy director of the ICI, attended the group meeting of Song with their doctoral students. The two sides gathered together to ignite academic sparks with the discussion of the topic as a link.

On the afternoon of April 22, the doctoral students of the ICI visited the History Museum of Beijing Normal University, tracing the century-old cultural heritage and feeling the profound cultural heritage of Beijing. Afterwards, the team moved to the lush campus. The winding paths surrounded by the fragrance of locust trees connected the wisteria waterfall and the shadow of peony flowers. The young students stopped to appreciate the gold and stone charm of the plaque of the Beijing Normal University, and decoded the educational philosophy carried by the buildings with the flying eaves and brackets.

On April 23, the doctoral students selectively participated in a number of graduate courses offered by the School of Education of Beijing Normal University according to their personal needs. The relevant courses include a critical examination of the basic principles of education, an in-depth analysis of academic paper writing, technical guidance on research methods and a systematic explanation of educational strategies. Doctoral students immersed themselves in the diverse interests of academic research during class participation.

From April 22 to 24, Zheng Xin, a teacher from the ICI, Wang Kai, a teacher from the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University, and Hu Dingrong, a teacher from the ICI, respectively shared their academic experiences on interdisciplinary subject learning, English academic writing, and curriculum reform.

Zheng Xin, deputy secretary and deputy director of the ICI

Wang Kai, a teacher from the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University

Hu Dingrong, a teacher from the Curriculum and Instruction Research Institute of Beijing Normal University

The doctoral student academic forum is a necessary part of each exchange. During the period, Xu Zixian, Zhang Hairong, and Li Lixia, doctoral students from the Curriculum Department, and Du Jiaoyang and Xu Peiyuan, doctoral students from the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University, successively shared their academic experiences on topics such as textbook evaluation, low-achieving high school students, interdisciplinary curriculum development, famous teacher studios, and teacher education. The doctoral students showed unique problem awareness and professional level in their respective research fields. Zheng Xin, a teacher from the Curriculum Department, and Ye Juyan and Xiao Xue, teachers from the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University, gave comments and guidance.

On the morning of April 25, doctoral students from both sides gathered together again to focus on "academic research and career planning" to carry out a dialogue salon. Liu Shuai, a doctoral student from the ICI, and Li Xiaoyan, a postdoctoral fellow from the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University, respectively shared their experiences and thoughts on cross-disciplinary learning, paper publishing, and career planning based on their own study experience and academic paper publishing experience.

ICI Shao Zhuoyue (PhD student of 2023)

As a learner and researcher who has been immersed in the discourse of course teaching for a long time, through participating in this exchange, my research vision has been broadened and the way of thinking has become more "down-to-earth". I hope that I can care more about and empathize with the situation of teachers and students in future research practice, and use academic research as a channel to promote the sustainable development of teachers' profession and lifelong learning of students. I look forward to inspiring and encouraging each other with teachers and friends from Beijing Normal University again on the banks of the Liwa River next spring. See you next year!

ICI Liu Shuai (PhD student of 2024)

This exchange with Beijing Normal University is not only a process of academic friendship, but also a precious opportunity to deeply reflect on my own research orientation and methodology. It has prompted me to further realize that behind excellent academic work, not only solid problem awareness and methodological cultivation are needed, but also continuous reflection and self-renewal. At the time of parting, I am grateful for the rich nourishment gained from this academic exchange, and I am more determined to maintain an open mind and rigorous academic spirit in the future research path. I look forward to continuing the ideological dialogue and academic progress with my peers in a broader academic field in the future.

ICI Xiong Xiran (PhD student of 2024)

The visiting is like a short stop. With the topic and curiosity, we temporarily left the original study and life pace of the Liwa River, and gained new discoveries in the lectures, courses and seminars of Beijing Normal University. In a week, we built trust in breaking the ice, collided with ideas in exchanges, and deepened our understanding of "curriculum and teaching" and "teacher education" in observation and visits. I hope to meet you all again in Shanghai in the future, and continue this enthusiasm and friendship!

ICI Wang Weichen (PhD student of 2024)

The one-week study in Muduo Building made me deeply realize the profound meaning of "learning has no boundaries though travel does". From the unfamiliarity when I first arrived to the ideological stimulation with my peers from Beijing Normal University in cooperative discussions, group exchanges, and academic salons, the academic dialogues from different perspectives not only broadened my research horizons, but also made me reflect on the limitations of my own academic practice in the exchanges. Looking forward to meeting again by the Liwa River!

ICI Ma Yulin (PhD student of 2024)

The one-week academic exchange gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in the academic tradition of a century-old institution. This trip not only gained cutting-edge theoretical perspectives, but also deepened my understanding of the complexity of curriculum reform. We must have an academic mind that embraces all rivers, and we must also adhere to the academic character that is rooted in China's educational practice. This is a vivid portrayal of the "global vision and local action" training concept in the ICI's curriculum system.

A bosom friend is always a friend indeed. The academic exchange trip of the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University came to an end in the fragrance of the late spring. The friendship forged by the students of the two schools in the academic exchange is like a new branch in spring, which has been deeply rooted in our hearts. Thank you for the warm hospitality of Beijing Normal University, and we look forward to meeting again by the Liwa River!