On July 7, Professor John Edward Hopcroft, recipient of the Turing Award—the highest honor in computer science—visited Jiangsu University to engage in a profound dialogue with faculty and students on "Educational Transformation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence." President Xing Weihong and Vice President Zou Xiaobo attended the event, which was joined by representatives from the College of Computer Science and Communication Engineering.
During the dialogue session, Professor Hopcroft delivered an academic talk titled "AI and Education." He emphasized that in today’s rapidly evolving AI landscape, higher education should focus more on quality enhancement and the cultivation of top innovative talent. As an active advocate and participant in China’s "101 Plan" for higher education reform, he elaborated on the plan’s practices and philosophy in reshaping curriculum systems and developing high-quality teaching materials. He stressed that teaching quality must be placed at the core of university evaluation, encouraging more institutions to engage in pedagogical innovation and truly center undergraduate education around student growth.
Director Cui Yong of the International Office presented the university’s achievements in global engagement, while Professor Mao Qirong, Dean of the College of Computer Science, reported on the college’s innovative measures in discipline development, program building, talent cultivation, and faculty development, as well as its involvement in the "101 Plan."
In the interactive session, faculty and students enthusiastically posed questions, engaging in lively exchanges with Professor Hopcroft on topics such as AI-enabled education, evolving learning models, and balancing research with teaching. The dynamic dialogue, filled with intellectual sparks and repeated applause, reflected the broad perspective and active curiosity of Jiangsu University’s academic community.
This event provided a valuable opportunity for direct interaction with a world-leading academic figure, inspiring deep reflection on educational principles and talent development strategies in the age of AI. It is set to further stimulate the college’s continued exploration and innovation in the field of computer science education.
