On June 2, the preparatory work promotion meeting for the 2026  International Forum on Higher Education was held at Tongji University. Guan Peijun, Vice President of China Association of Higher Education (CAHE),  Zheng Qinghua, Party Secretary of Tongji University, and Zhang Wei, Deputy Director of the CAHE Academic Development Advisory Committee, attended the meeting. Also present were Zhu Xiaojie, Executive Deputy Party Secretary of Tongji University; Song Yi, Deputy Chairman of the CAHE Smart Education Research Branch; Zhang Wenzhong, Administrative Advisor of CAHE; Wang Xiping, Executive Vice President of the Shanghai Association of Higher Education; Gao Xiaojie, Deputy Secretary-General of the Association; Zhao Hongduo, Assistant to the President of Tongji University; and heads of relevant departments. The meeting was chaired by Zhao Xianzhong, Vice President of Tongji University.

On behalf of President Lin Huiqing, Guan Peijun expressed sincere gratitude to Tongji University, the co-organizer of the forum, and the Shanghai Association of Higher Education, the supporting organizer, for their strong support and cooperation. He pointed out that this year’s forum should aim for high standards in event organization, build on a solid foundation, and carefully design the themes and topics to create an academic event of higher quality, greater distinctiveness, and broader influence. Efforts should be concentrated on high-level and high-specification forum arrangements, integrating international resources from Shanghai’s higher education institutions. High-quality reports should be developed, combining theoretical and practical perspectives to enrich the academic depth of the forum. The release of outcomes should be advanced with high standards, with meticulous integrated design for achievements in AI‑empowered education and teaching. Preparatory work should be carried out efficiently, with clear responsibilities, strengthened coordination, and collaborative efforts, while also enhancing forum publicity to comprehensively improve the forum’s quality and effectiveness, thereby contributing to the building of a strong higher education system for China and participation in global higher education governance.

Zheng Qinghua pointed out that this year marks the beginning of the “15th Five‑Year Plan” period, and holding the forum carries great significance. He emphasized that the themes and topics of the forum should be further condensed to enhance the forum's attractiveness to high-end experts and scholars at home and abroad. We shall systematically organize the forum agenda, innovate forum formats, highlight the academic nature of the forum, and strive to foster an open and dynamic atmosphere for discussion and exchange. The design of outcome releases should be well prepared to vividly showcase China’s latest practices in vigorously promoting AI‑empowered higher education development. Greater synergy among Shanghai’s universities should be strengthened to pool diverse resources and reinforce support for the forum, using the platform to help institutions expand overseas cooperation and exchanges, thereby achieving shared resources and mutual benefits.

Gao Xiaojie and Zhao Hongduo respectively reported on the forum’s preparatory progress. Participants discussed key aspects of the preparation and agreed that more support from Shanghai administrative authorities should be sought, the strengths of Shanghai’s universities fully leveraged, and a collaborative cooperation mechanism established. They further agreed to enhance cross‑departmental task implementation, optimize the forum agenda, refine the work plan, and coordinate all tasks including guest invitations, outcome releases, publicity planning, document drafting, and budget preparation.