Hosted by Tsinghua University and organized by the School of Education, Tsinghua University, the 5th Tsinghua Higher Education Forum will convene from November 7-8, 2026, at the Tsinghua China-Italy Design Innovation Hub in Milan, Italy. Under the theme "Shaping the Future Together: Systemic Reshaping and Governance Innovation in China-Europe Higher Education", the forum serves as a premier platform for scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders to deliberate on the evolving landscape of global higher education.

Main Topics

We invite submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Reshaping for the Future: Historical Legacies and Missions of Higher Education in China and Europe. Under the new landscape of digitalization, demographic changes, and globalization, how may China and Europe transform their higher education systems to enhance institutional resilience against shocks from various forces, to promote equity in social mobility and student success, and to enhance excellence in knowledge innovation and learning and teaching? This can cover strategic topics such as funding models, disciplinary structures, and the construction of lifelong learning systems.

• University Autonomy, Social Responsibility, and the Role of Government: A Dialogue on Governing Models of China and Europe. Exploring how to balance institutional autonomy with the responsibility of socio-economic and political contributions amidst conflicting social expectations. Comparing the evolution and alternative practices of the partnerships among universities, governments, societies, and the third-sector organizations at various levels in different contexts of China and Europe, seeking the applicable pathways toward “good” governance.

• The Innovation of Governance for Digital Revolution: How University Leadership, Management, and Evaluation May be Reshaped by Technology. Exploring how artificial intelligence and big data have profoundly impacted the models of decision-making of higher education institutions (data-driven governance), organizational structures (governance of cross-disciplinary platforms), and quality assurance systems (new assessments of learning outcomes), in addition to teaching, all aiming to jointly innovate governance paradigms meeting the digital age.

• Youth Forum: Imagining Future Universities – China-Europe Youth Dialogue on Learning, Mobility, and Governance. Exploring how the next generation can co-create the blueprint for future universities amidst AI and digital transformation. Discussions will center on AI-empowered talent cultivation and lifelong learning, cross-cultural network and China-Europe student exchanges, and the youth perspectives on university autonomy and evaluation innovation, ultimately channeling youth insights into China-Europe higher education.

Submission Guidelines

• Requirements: Proponents should submit an extended abstract (minimum 1,000 words) in either English or Chinese. Submissions must demonstrate scholarly depth, methodological rigor, and relevance to the forum theme.

• Deadline: Please submit your abstract via the official portal at http://thuhef.tsinghua.edu.cn/en by June 30, 2026.

• Review Process: Submissions will undergo a blind peer-review process. Accepted authors will be invited for oral presentations or poster sessions.

Registration and Fees

Registration fees cover on-site catering provided by the organizer. Participants are expected to arrange their own travel and accommodation.

Contact & Inquiries

• For further information, please visit our website or contact the secretariat:

• Email：thef@tsinghua.edu.cn

• Website：https://thuhef.tsinghua.edu.cn

Tsinghua Higher Education Forum Organizing Committee

May 15, 2026