On April 18, 2025, Xi'an Eurasia University and Phetchabun Rajabhat University of Thailand officially signed an international cooperation agreement through cloud connection, marking the official launch of in-depth cooperation between the two universities in education internationalization. This cooperation sets "cultural going global" as its core strategy. It focuses on developing non-academic education products and integrating local cultural resources, thus injecting new impetus into cultural exchanges among countries along the "Belt and Road."
PART 1 Creating a new "going global" path for culture communication by breaking through "internationalization at home"
Dr. Preecha Sriaungrith, President, Dr. Nikom Yokayana, Vice-President, Dr. Jun Jiang, Dean of the International College, and others from Phetchaburi Rajabhat University attended online. Professor Zhang Lefang, Vice President of Xi'an Eurasia University, Associate Professor Cao Xiaojuan, Deputy Dean of the School of Culture & Media, Associate Professor Chen Zhe, Assistant to the Dean, and the internationalization team witnessed this important moment together.
PART 2 Cross-border integration: Taking non-academic education as the support to promote cultural going global
Vice President Zhang Lefang stressed in her speech, "This cooperation is not only the beginning of resource integration between the two universities but also an important practice of Xi'an Eurasia University's '4+4+2' strategy for internationalization. We hope to create a new model of 'Chinese + Major + Culture' international talent training through customized course output and mutual learning of local culture. Taking Xi'an as the starting point, we will integrate the cultural heritage of Han and Tang dynasties with new media technology to create an educational ecosystem that can connect the world at home through curriculum output, cultural mutual learning, and industry-university-research linkage.
Dr. Preecha Sriaungrith said, "Phetchabun Rajabhat University is deeply involved in cultural communication in Southeast Asia. The cooperation with Xi'an Eurasian University will thoroughly integrate China's new media experience and Thailand's local cultural resources to provide a bilingual growth platform of 'theory + practice' for Southeast Asian youth and help the coordinated development of regional culture and economy."
PART 3 Strategic breakthrough: from curriculum output to cultural resonance
Phetchabun Rajabhat University is the first overseas university that has reached cooperation with Xi'an Eurasia University and run some business through their co-established insitution. Their agreement focuses on the following three fields.
Non-academic course output
The two universities will develop customized courses, such as Short Video Production & Cross-Border Communication and Digital Cultural Tourism Brand Management. They will also incorporate cultural symbols like Shaanxi’s intangible cultural heritage (e.g., shadow puppetry, Qinqiang Opera) and Thailand's Water Lantern Festival as part of their effort to develop the bi-directional loop termed "Implementing Chinese experience in Southeast Asia."
The two parties will collaborate to establish the "Xi'an Eurasia University-Phetchabun Rajabhat University International Communication Center," located in Bangkok. The center will utilize AI-driven multilingual translation tools to enable the real-time translation and localization of course materials and cultural resources.
Collaboration for innovation in industry, education, and research
The "China-Thailand Cultural Maker Camp" will be founded. Student teams will develop transnational communication programs for Chinese and Thai companies under the "Belt and Road Initiative" framework to address their global outreach objectives directly.
Moreover, the two universities co-released the White Paper on Cultural and Tourism Communication in Southeast Asia, providing data assistance for the evolution of regional cultural industries.
Cultural brand event
The "Chang'an-Phetchabun Cultural Season" will be organized, presenting the outcomes of cultural integration via virtual reality exhibits showcasing intangible cultural heritage and online music performances. These outcomes will be promoted on the Southeast Asia section of TikTok.
PART 4 Future outlook: internationalization transition from "1 to N"
Deputy Dean Cao Xiaojuan pointed out, "This cooperation marks a milestone of the 'internationalization at home.' Over the next three years, we will take Thailand as a pivotal hub to expand into Southeast Asian countries and establish a triangular network of "curriculum dissemination—talent co-education—industry integration," thereby creating a sustainable ecosystem for "cultural going-global."
Dr. Jun Jiang stated, "We aim to co-develop the 'China-Thailand Bilingual MOOC Platform,' facilitate mutual recognition of credits and the joint recruitment of faculty, and provide a streamlined pathway for Southeast Asian students to pursue studies in China."
Xi'an Eurasia University is crafting a new chapter in the global development of private higher education by employing "internationalization at home" to bridge ancient Han and Tang cultural heritage with Southeast Asian traditions through digital platforms while transforming classroom concepts into cross-border tangible achievements.
This agreement signing marks not only the commencement of cooperation but also the awakening of cultural exchange, bringing Shaanxi's rich heritage to the global stage and sharing China's narrative with the world.
(Text by School of Culture & Media)
