This week, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of rapid growth, educational innovation, and international collaboration between China and the UK.
To celebrate 20 years of XJTLU – an innovative partnership between the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University in China – a programme of activities has been arranged and a delegation from the University travelled to China.
Highlights for the week have included:
‘Light up the World’
From 19 – 21 May, the Royal Liver Building, St George’s Hall, Liverpool Town Hall, the Cunard Building and the University’s Victoria Gallery & Museum were illuminated. These iconic Liverpool buildings joined landmarks across the globe including New York’s Times Square (Nasdaq MarketSite), the Shaanxi Information Mansion, a prominent skyscraper in the city of in Xi’an, as well as on campus at XJTLU in Suzhou, China. Also, from 29 – 30 May, a famous landmark in Suzhou, the Gate to the East, will be illuminated.
Liver Bird sculpture
University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, Professor Gavin Brown and Dean for XJTLU, Professor Simon Jones presented XJTLU with a bronze sculpture of a Liver Bird.
Created by Shanghai based artist Ye Qing, the artwork uses the symbol synonymous with the city to represent East and West, past, present, and future.
‘20 Stories’
Students, alumni, academic staff and those instrumental in the University’s foundation have shared their personal highlights and memories – tracing XJTLU’s journey from its earliest beginnings to its ambitions for the future.
Read them here.
Freedom of the City
On 1 April 2026, XJTLU was granted the Freedom of the City, the city’s highest civic honour. This prestigious award recognises individuals or organisations that have made exceptional contributions to the city’s life or reputation.
Read more here.
Consulate-General Residence in Shanghai
The University of Liverpool and XJTLU’s partners will be honoured at an event hosted by the British Consulate‑General in Shanghai. Representing the UK government in China, the event will celebrate the joint‑venture institution’s outstanding contribution to strengthening academic, cultural and research ties between the UK and China.
Wishes for XJTLU
Recently, students were invited to share their anniversary wishes to mark two decades of the university. From messages of congratulations to hopes for future prosperity students took to the mic to share their messages. During the event, there was also the opportunity to watch a traditional Dragon Dance performance.
Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor, University of LivXJTLUerpool said: “It is a special week as we celebrate 20 years of XJTLU. In both Liverpool and China, we will be reflecting on a fantastic, and in many ways, ground-breaking journey.
“From the first cohort of 165 people in 2006 it has grown to become one of the most recognised and successful transnational ventures globally. Each year over 26,000 students study at XJTLU towards a University of Liverpool award and several hundred also choose to spend part of their studies here in Liverpool.
“The joint venture has far exceeded original expectations and is a testament to the talent and dedication of staff and students alike. Here’s to the next twenty years and beyond.”
Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said: “As XJTLU marks its 20th anniversary, we are not simply celebrating the growth of a young university. We are reflecting on a journey of continuous exploration, deliberate choices, and renewal. Over the past two decades, XJTLU has developed from a pioneering joint venture into a distinctive institution that connects global resources, responds to emerging talent needs, and continually rethinks the purpose and form of future education. We have developed our 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 models, and are now moving towards a 4.0 future-oriented lifelong learning and innovative social ecosystem model.
“What makes me most proud is not only what we have built, but how we have built it: through collaboration between the University of Liverpool, Xi’an Jiaotong University, our students, staff, alumni, and partners in industry and society. Together, we have moved beyond a traditional transnational education model towards a more integrated, future-oriented university that seeks to connect education, research, industry, and society in meaningful ways.
“As we enter our third decade, our task is not to repeat the past, but to keep reimagining the future. In an age shaped by AI and rapid social change, I believe XJTLU must continue to pioneer new models of learning, innovation, and global cooperation, and contribute not only to educational and academic, economic and industrial development, but also to a more open, resilient, and sustainable social ecosystem. The past 20 years have exceeded expectations; the next 20 should matter even more.”
About Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)
Founded in 2006 as a partnership between the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University, XJTLU has become one of China’s most respected international universities.
- Student growth: From admitting 730 students in autumn 2008, XJTLU now has around 25,000 students, with ambitions to grow to 35,000.
- Innovation in education: In 2022, XJTLU launched the Entrepreneur College in Taicang, introducing Professor Xi’s pioneering “syntegrative” education model that embeds industry placements into the curriculum.
- Global mobility: The new Taicang 2+1+1 programme, launched in 2024, allows students to spend their third year in Liverpool. This complements the long-standing 2+2 programme and the University of Liverpool’s Year in China initiative.
- Year in China: This distinctive programme enables University of Liverpool students to broaden their academic experience by extending their degree and studying at XJTLU. Starting in 2016, more than 380 students, across 24 University departments have participated.