The inaugural China Universities Forum, co-sponsored by Times Higher Education (THE) and Nankai University, was held in Nankai University from 29 to 30 March. About 150 representatives from 60 domestic and international universities and higher education institutions participated in the Forum.

In the afternoon of the 30th, the conference held a thematic discussion on "What steps are required in China to ensure teaching excellent and successful graduates". Daoud Bshouty, Senior Mathematics Professor of Guangdong Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and former Dean of Undergraduate Studies of Israel Institute of Technology（Technion）, was invited to give a speech. 

Left to Right:  Joanna Waley-Cohen(Provost, NYU Shanghai), Chris Rudd(Deputy Vice-Chancellor, James Cook University), Gong Ke(President-elect, World Federation of Engineering Organizations, and former President, Nankai University), Hamish Coates(Deputy Director,Center for the Assessment of College and Student Development, Tsinghua University), Daoud Bshouty(Visiting Professor, GTIIT), Phil Baty(Chief Knowledge Officer, THE)

Professor Bshouty pointed out that the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shantou Municipal Government strongly supported the establishment of GTIIT, with the Technion and Shantou University as the founding partners. GTIIT's education model stems from the successful experience of the Technion. He described the unique undergraduate teaching arrangements of GTIIT, such as strengthening theoretical basis to cultivate students' research and application capabilities, creating a good learning support environment through close communications between teachers, students and administrative staff and so on. Professor Bshouty also took the courses of calculus and advanced physics as examples to further illustrate the learning support system set up by GTIIT targeting at students' individualized needs in learning, psychology and finance, which results in the encouragement of teachers and students to participate together with seamless administrative support, improvement of teaching performance, and promotion of students' capabilities. During the session, Professor Bshouty's answers to the questions with other guests were warmly applauded by the participants.

Mr. Yigal Cohen, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director-General of GTIIT, Professor Lin Danming, Pro Vice-Chancellor of GTIIT, and Dr. Yi Chuanping, Director of the Chancellor's Office of GTIIT, were also invited to attend the meeting.

THE is a well-known international higher education organization. It issues a series of annual reports such as the influential World University Ranking. The China Universities Forum is the first high-level university education conference organized by THE in China.