BEIJING, April 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new vision for global education has emerged – one shaped by shifting student priorities, geopolitical challenges and the rise of non-traditional destinations.

The United States, once the most popular study-abroad destination for Chinese students, has failed to secure a spot among the top three in the latest evaluation of study-abroad destinations. It ranks fourth behind the United Kingdom, Singapore and Canada, according to the 2025 Blue Book on China’s Study Abroad, released at the China Study Abroad Forum (CSAF) in Beijing on April 11.

Themed Quality, Trust and Safety: For the Sustainable Development of International Education, the forum highlighted shifting trends in global education and student mobility.

The CSAF was held in conjunction with the 30th China International Education Exhibition Tour (CIEET), which took place across Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou from April 11 to 20. The events were organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) and brought together educational institutions from around the world.

Since the launch of CIEET in 1999 and CSAF in 2004, the events have served as platforms for international institutions to connect with Chinese students and build stronger educational links.

At the forum, Xu Qingsen, Vice Minister of Education, reaffirmed China’s commitment to “high-quality educational exchange” and two-way mobility. “We will improve our services for students going abroad, while attracting more international students to study in China. This forms the foundation of strong civic ties between nations,” he said.

Forum guests also called for stronger ties through education. Maria Fasli, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Essex, the UK, emphasized that “no single country can solve today’s global challenges alone,” calling on graduates to become globally minded citizens.

The blue book, produced by a panel of over 30 experts who assessed 28 countries across multiple dimensions, revealed a growing diversification in destination and degree program choices among Chinese students.

Though the U.S. still ranked first in education quality and student employability, it failed to make the top 10 in terms of safety, and ranked only ninth in trust and openness.

The blue book highlighted mounting concerns with geopolitical tensions, restrictive academic policies and frequent safety reminders, which were cited as critical risk factors. On April 9, China’s Ministry of Education issued an overseas study alert advising students to assess security risks when considering studies in certain U.S. states. The move came after the state of Ohio passed legislation restricting educational ties with Chinese institutions.

In addition to traditional destinations such as the U.S., the United Kingdom and Australia, this year’s exhibition attracted universities from 24 other countries and regions, including several participants from Belt and Road Initiative countries including Kazakhstan, Hungary and Poland, with Ecuador and Viet Nam making their debuts. In total, 246 institutions took part in the events, which together hosted nearly 450 pavilions.

One student, Chen Bi, told Yangcheng Evening News she chose a one-year master’s program in accounting at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty, Kazakhstan. “It only costs a third of what I’d pay in Europe, and there’s no language or GPA requirement,” she said.

For Chen, who was recently laid off, the program offers both a breather and a stepping stone toward future employment back in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where local governments offer incentives for returnees with degrees from overseas institutions.

Yet non-traditional destinations come with trade-offs. According to Yangcheng Evening News, many employers remain unfamiliar with lesser-known universities, which may disadvantage graduates in a competitive job market.

At the forum, Wang Daquan, Director of the CSCSE, said the employment consulting services CSCSE offers aim to bridge the gap between returnees and employers, noting over 310,000 students and 1,700 companies are already using the consulting platform.

“Students today seek more than a diploma. They want skills, cultural literacy and global perspective,” Wang said during a press conference ahead of the forum.

CSCSE has also launched a Global Study Mobility Alliance, co-founded by 20 Chinese and international universities, and announced two new initiatives: Study Tours in China and Study Tours Around the World, aimed at fostering cross-cultural skills through short-term exchanges.

Comments to liwenhan@cicgamericas.com

BEIJING, April 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — During a sub-forum on April 11, scholars, educators and international students from across the globe discussed the evolving importance of studying abroad, under the theme Study in China, Study in the World.

Themed “Quality, Trust and Safety: for the Sustainable Development of International Education,” the China Study Abroad Forum (CSAF), held on April 11 in Beijing, highlighted shifting trends in global education and student mobility.

The event emphasized not only institutional cooperation, but also the broader value of cultural dialogue through international education. The gathering featured representatives from Italy, Germany, the U.S., Egypt and China, each sharing their views on intercultural learning and academic mobility.

Ma Xiaole, Dean of International Education at Shandong University, emphasized how Confucian philosophy has been creatively embedded in the university’s programs for international students. “We teach Confucian values not only through books but through real-life, immersive experiences. Students participate in traditional ceremonies and explore how values like perseverance and moral integrity shape Chinese society today,” she explained. “True understanding comes from living the culture, not just reading about it.”

Representing Germany’s DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), Ole Engelhardt noted that Germany has facilitated academic exchange with China for over four decades. “What we consistently hear from German students is how their image of China changes after visiting – especially seeing how advanced and diverse it is,” he said. He added that despite recent geopolitical uncertainties, visa access for Chinese students in Germany remains smooth.

Edilio Mazzoleni, Director of the Centre for Global Engagement and International Education, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, shared personal reflections on his journey in China since 2005, emphasizing how trust, friendships and curiosity shaped his understanding of the country.

“I advocate for studying abroad because it gives you new lenses through which to see the world,” he said, also announcing that the university plans to launch a Chinese-language program by 2026.

“My experience studying in China completely changed my life,” said Mohamed Jihad, a foreign expert at the Center for International Cultural Communication of China International Communications Group, recounting his journey from language learner to becoming what he jokingly calls “a Chinese son-in-law.” He emphasized that real understanding requires seeing China through first-hand experience – not through foreign media narratives.

Jason Patent, former Director of the Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership at the University of California at Berkeley, stressed the need for students to develop intercultural skills. “Studying abroad isn’t just about knowledge – it’s about building the emotional and behavioral tools to thrive in unfamiliar environments,” he said. His program takes students to seven regions around the world to prepare them for both academic and global leadership success.

The forum concluded by proposing that study abroad is a two-way bridge – helping the world understand China, and helping China connect with the world. As one speaker put it, the classroom may start in Beijing or Milan, but the real education happens in the space between.

The CSAF was held in conjunction with the 30th China International Education Exhibition Tour (CIEET), which took place across Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and Guangzhou from April 11 to 20. The events were organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) and brought together educational institutions from around the world.

Since the founding of CIEET in 1999 and CSAF in 2004, the events have served as platforms for international institutions to connect with Chinese students and build stronger educational links.

Comments to liwenhan@cicgamericas.com

• The innovative multi-sensory art experience redefines the boundaries of immersive art
• Purpose-built 17,000 sqm venue features transformative artworks unique to Abu Dhabi
• Opening music composed and performed by renowned Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi
• teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi takes guests on a sensory-rich journey that transcends the ordinary and ignites curiosity for all

ABU DHABI, UAE, April 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi officially opened its transformative multi-sensory art experience within Saadiyat Cultural District, an enriching addition to Abu Dhabi’s dynamic cultural and artistic landscape.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:   https://www.multivu.com/teamlab_phenomena/9331451-en-gb-teamlab-phenomena-abu-dhabi-opens-saadiyat-cultural-district

On 17 April, the grand opening celebration welcomed distinguished guests and cultural leaders, featuring a specially composed performance by renowned Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi. Set against the venue’s unique architecture, the score was paired with a dramatic display of 6,000 synchronised drones and pyrotechnics, curated to celebrate the new milestone for Saadiyat Cultural District, and reflect the connection between art, technology and imagination.

H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a groundbreaking cultural landmark that redefines immersive art experiences on a global scale. It embodies a bold vision that pushes the boundaries of creativity, technology, and human perception, offering visitors an experience unlike any other. Together with our partner, teamLab, we take great pride in bringing this pioneering concept to life, reinforcing our commitment to shaping world-class experiences that inspire, engage, and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s cultural legacy. Saadiyat Cultural District is a cultural landmark of global significance, bringing together the world’s greatest minds and institutions to foster dialogue, inspire creativity, and shape a more connected future.”

Following the opening ceremony, guests were immersed within newly unveiled teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi exhibits, meandering between its inspiring artistic installations, interacting with the dynamic artworks, and experiencing the connection between art, technology and natural phenomena.

Toshiyuki Inoko, Founder of teamLab, said: “The artworks in teamLab Phenomena do not exist independently but are created by the environment which produces the various phenomena that creates the artworks. Objects such as stones and man-made creations maintain a stable structure independently. A stone, for instance, will remain unchanged even if placed in a sealed box, isolated from the outside world. In contrast, a vortex in the ocean will vanish in an instant if removed from its environment. Unlike a stone, a vortex does not sustain itself; it evolves with the surrounding currents, formed by water flowing continuously from the outside to the inside and from the inside to the outside of the vortex, changing along with the flow. Moreover, the boundaries of its existence are ambiguous, and there is no material distinction between the vortex and its surroundings.

“The unique environment produces the phenomena, and the environment maintains the existence of the structure. Let us call that existence Environmental Phenomena. The artwork is inseparable from the environment and changes along with the environment. This concept transcends the various conventional notions of existence by physical forms. Even if people immerse themselves physically into the artwork, the artwork will remain intact, capable of naturally restoring itself even if disrupted. However, when the environment is not sustained, the artwork will disappear. The boundaries of the artwork are ambiguous and continuous with the environment. Perhaps, people’s consciousness will expand from the artwork itself to the environment beyond.”

Spanning 17,000 square metres, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi has been developed by the internationally acclaimed art collective teamLab, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). The multi-sensory art experience reflects the emirate’s unwavering commitment to fostering creativity and cultural innovation on a global scale, and it presents massive transformative artworks that each blend art, science and technology in groundbreaking ways.

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is designed to explore and transcend the limits of every guest’s imagination. Each artwork within the unique, purpose-built venue will evolve over time through the interplay of light, sound and movement. Unlike artworks at traditional galleries, visitors will discover exhibits that are fluid, existing in a dynamic relationship with their environment. Each artwork responds to guests’ actions and natural changes in the environment, creating a living, breathing art experience, unlike any other.

Comprising two distinct Wet and Dry areas, guests will be immersed in a series of mesmerising visuals, vibrant landscapes and interactive installations that dissolve the boundaries between art and audience. Every moment offers a new philosophical experience, ensuring that each visitor experience is unique.

In the Dry area, visitors will encounter a variety of artworks that encourage interaction, responding to their movements and actions to create a unique connection between guests and the installations. As they move into the Wet area, guests will follow a dedicated walkway leading them into an exciting realm filled with fluid, hands-on experiences that further deepen their connection with the art.

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a key addition to Saadiyat Cultural District, which upon completion will be the largest concentration of world-leading cultural and educational institutions. The District is home to an unparalleled lineup of museums and cultural landmarks, including Louvre Abu Dhabi; the upcoming Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE; Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, featuring a global collection of modern and contemporary art that reflects the diversity of cultures and trends from around the world; and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, telling the story of life on earth and the origins of our universe.

The addition of teamLab Phenomena reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a global cultural epicentre, offering visitors a unique and transformative experience while showcasing its commitment to creativity, innovation and cultural collaboration on a global scale.

For more information and to purchase tickets: www.teamlababudhabi.com 

Video – https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2668416/teamLab_Phenomena.mp4
Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/teamlab_phenomena_1.jpg
Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/teamlab_phenomena_logo.jpg

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Grand Opening Main Image – Credits: teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, UAE, April 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the key panels and sessions for the seventh edition of Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, the leading global forum to be held from April 27 to 29, 2025 at Manarat Al Saadiyat.

Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, 2024

This year’s Summit, held under the theme “Culture for Humanity and Beyond” will bring together global thought leaders, policymakers, renowned artists, and creative innovators to explore the intersection of culture, technology, and global governance. The three-day Summit will foster critical dialogue that focuses on the collective rethinking of human emancipation and humanism through keynote presentations, creative conversations, panel discussions, artist talks as well as a series of bespoke workshops. The participants will seek to find common ground to build a shared sustainable future. New perspectives will emerge on reimagining tomorrow as old ways of thinking become obsolete.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman — DCT Abu Dhabi, commented: “DCT Abu Dhabi is proud to reconvene our local and international partners spanning culture, design, technology and more to the seventh edition of Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, to continue to build on the progress we have made in identifying how culture can affect positive change. Within the setting of the Saadiyat Cultural District, together we are exploring the theme of ‘Culture for Humanity and Beyond’, pursuing new perspectives on the power of creative and artistic endeavours at a time of unprecedented technological change.”

Rita Aoun, Executive Director of the Culture Sector — DCT Abu Dhabi, commented: “Culture Summit Abu Dhabi brings together cultural leaders, policymakers, and creative visionaries to engage in critical discussions that shape the future of cultural policy and the creative industries. The theme ‘Culture for Humanity and Beyond’ reflects the DCT culture sector mandate that not only preserves and promotes culture but actively harnesses its power to drive progress, foster understanding, and create new possibilities for the future. As part of the Sector role to develop a thriving cultural and creative ecosystem, we are committed to creating platforms that translate dialogue into action, strengthening cultural exchange and supporting sustainable growth in the region and beyond.”

Culture Summit Abu Dhabi will feature a diverse array of sessions throughout the three days.

This includes keynotes by Mo Gawdat, Author and Former Chief Business Officer at Google X, Susan Buck-Morss, Philosopher and Scholar; Professor Iyad Rahwan, Director of Machine Learning at Max Planck Institute for Human Development; Sir William Sargent, chair of Framestore; Glenn D. Lowry, The David Rockefeller Director at MoMA, and Koyo Kouoh, Executive Director and Chief Curator of Zeitz MOCAA.

There will also be an exceptional series of Creative Conversations featuring insightful discussions with award-winning creatives such as Thomas Heatherwick, Designer; Colleen Atwood, Costume Designer; Refik Anadol, Visual Artist and Ralph Nauta, Artist; Ayoung Kim, Visual Artist; as well as in-depth conversations between Philanthropist Maja Hoffmann and Architect Hashim Sarkis; and Sir John Akomfrah, Film Director, with Writer and Director Awan Amkpa, Thebe Magugu, Designer and Mariam Issoufou, Architect.

A series of sessions will discuss AI’s growing influence on creativity and the digital world. These include ‘AI Revolution: Redefining Creativity in the Age of Machines’; ‘The Rise of AI in Creative Industries’; ‘Should Governments Regulate AI to Compensate the Creative Industries?’; ‘ The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Cinema’; ‘The Ownership Dilemma: Safeguarding Music in a Digital-First World’; ‘Tuning in to the Future: Music, AI, and Learning’; and ‘Transmission by Avatar: From Oral to Digital Knowledge’.

Attendees can also look forward to sessions exploring culture as a force for good. Topics covered will include ‘Turning Green: What Happens When Cultural Leaders Take Action for the Planet’; ‘Culture as a Public Good: From Policy to Action’; and ‘A Horizon in Motion. Cultural Anticipation. Planetary Affection. Sharing the World’.

On the opening day, a panel discussion will be held on ‘Bridging the Cultural Gap: The Role of Culture in Shaping Global Governance’, reflecting the subtheme of the day, ‘Reshaping the cultural landscape’. Speakers of the panel include Jenny Shipley, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Iveta Radičová, Former Prime Minister of Slovakia and Cassam Uteem, Former President of Mauritius and. The panel will discuss the importance of including culture in multilateral processes and the strategies for integrating cultural dimensions into UN-related frameworks, ahead of major culture-related events such as MONDIACULT 2025.

Following the success of the first MONDIACULT Ministerial Dialogue hosted at Culture Summit last year, the Summit will welcome its second edition of ‘MONDIACULT Ministerial Dialogue | The Culture of Humanity in the Digital Era’, a two-part discussion focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence on culture and human creativity, and culture and peace for a sustainable future, respectively bringing together over 10 ministers of culture from across the globe. Another key cultural policy session of the Summit is a panel discussion on ‘Advancing the Objectives of the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education’, focusing on the day’s subtheme, New frames to redefine Culture for Humanity and Beyond’. This panel follows the ‘World Conference on Culture and Arts Education’, an international gathering held by DCT Abu Dhabi and UNESCO from February 13-15 last year that welcomed more than 190 ministers of education and ministers of culture from around the world to discuss a global framework for culture and arts education.

Further enriching the programme are other key sessions, including ‘A Conversation: About Jazz, Humanity and Beyond’ with Herbie Hancock, trailblazing jazz musician & UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and John Ridding, jazz enthusiast, Journalist & CEO, Financial Times; ‘Creative Expression at a Time of Disruption’, moderated by Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief of The National, with speakers including the Head of Dubai Opera, Paolo Petrocelli and Award-Winning Designer, Lama Hourani, and a panel co-organised with the UAE Ministry of Culture on ‘From Ruins to Resilience: A New Era of Heritage Rehabilitation’. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discover the creative practices of many renowned artists in an exceptional Creative Talks series, including in particular Wael Al Awar, Architect, Abdalla Almulla, Architect, Alia AlShamsi, Poet and Artist, Omar Al Gurg, Designer, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Artist, Yolanda Castaño, Writer, and Andrea Cote, Writer among others.

The event’s global partners include UNESCO, The Economist Impact, the Design Museum, Google, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, and Recording Academy. Additional partners include Image Nation Abu Dhabi, International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA), Cultural Foundation, The National, Club de Madrid, Abrahamic Family House, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA), Institut Français, Institut du Monde Arabe, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, TeamLab, Maktaba, House of Artisans, and Herbie Hancock Jazz Institute.

Several key partners expressed their views on the upcoming Summit.  

Ernesto Ottone R., UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, said: “From heritage to creativity, culture is an expression of humanity that connects us through time. This year’s theme challenges us to examine how technology has transformed this age-old relationship. UNESCO calls on participants to harness the power of culture towards a sustainable, human-centred future.” 

Tim Marlow, Director and Chief Executive, The Design Museum, London, commented: “The Design Museum is delighted to be part of the Culture Summit and this year will stage a series of talks and discussions that look to the design of a future that is more than human.”

Nacho Floristan, Director Generative AI Solutions Architecture, EMEA/APAC, Google, said: “We’re excited to participate in the Culture Summit 2025, reflecting on how genAI is transforming our society and how we discover, leverage and create culture going forward.”

Harvey Mason jr, CEO at Recording Academy, added: “Culture has the power to unite, inspire, and drive humanity forward. At Culture Summit 2025, we’re excited to explore how music and creativity shape our future – amplifying voices, fostering innovation, and connecting people across borders and generations.”

Panos A. Panay, President, Recording Academy, said: “As we gather for Culture Summit 2025, we’re at a fascinating intersection where culture and humanity collide with unprecedented technological disruption. I’m excited to explore how music and the arts are evolving beyond traditional boundaries, becoming powerful catalysts that shape our future while deepening our connection to what makes us human in this quickly changing world.”

Dr. Mariët Westermann, Director and CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, said: “The Guggenheim has always been an incubator of the future, providing a platform for artists and catalyzing conversations to explore the important questions of the day. We are delighted to return to the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi and focus our creative imagination for this iteration on the ways art, AI and other generative technologies are shaping new frontiers of cultural expression and production.”

Kenneth Cukier, Deputy Executive Editor, The Economist commented: “As AI eats the world, vaunting culture is vital – an expression of our human values and shared destiny. Economist Impact is honoured to be programming part of the annual Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, celebrating the power of narrative to shape our identities for progress and purpose.”

Culture Summit Abu Dhabi is an annual global forum that brings international leaders from the cultural and creative industries to explore ways in which culture can transform societies and communities worldwide. The forum reflects DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to preserving, protecting, and promoting Abu Dhabi’s rich cultural heritage while fostering creativity and innovation to build a more inclusive and sustainable global cultural future.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and abudhabiculture.ae

Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, 2024