Representatives from DAAD, Goethe-Institut, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Shanghai, as well as heads and faculty representatives of programs of German Studies from universities in Shanghai and neighboring regions—including Zhejiang University, Fudan University, Nanjing University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai International Studies University, and Tongji University—gathered to conduct in-depth discussions on the development prospects and disciplinary positioning of German Studies under the new situation. Li Xiangning, Vice President of Tongji, and Kai Sicks, Secretary General of DAAD, attended the meeting and delivered speeches.
The first session of the meeting centered on “The Current Development in the Discipline of German Studies”. Participants engaged in-depth exchanges on how to enhance the attractiveness of the German Studies as a discipline and the competitiveness of students through interdisciplinary training and curriculum innovation. DAAD stated that it will continue to focus on the development needs of its Chinese partner universities, explore viable support and cooperation pathways, and assist German Studies in achieving transformation and innovation within the new educational landscape.
The second session of the meeting delved into “German Studies and Artificial Intelligence”. Participants unanimously agreed that the widespread application of AI technology is reshaping the landscape of foreign language education, bringing new challenges and opportunities to the teaching philosophy and research directions of German Studies. Scholars present noted that German Studies should re-examine its value positioning in the AI era and strengthen the cultivation of cultural understanding and critical thinking. Both Chinese and German parties agreed that the German studies community in China can play an active leading role in the transformation of foreign language education in the context of AI under the cooperation framework with DAAD.
Participants jointly stated that they will take this symposium as an opportunity to continuously deepen academic exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and German universities, and work together to promote the sustainable development of the German Studies of language, literature, and culture.