Academic Exchange visit to China benefits from SEEP funding

A delegation of five Forth Valley College staff visited China recently on an Academic Exchange trip thanks to funding awarded through the Scottish Government’s Scottish Education Exchange Programme Test and Learn Project (SEEP). 

Driven by FVC’s Global Partnership Manager Jamie Allan, the College has built up strong links with several colleges and universities in China over the last 18 months, which have resulted in visits to FVC’s Falkirk and Stirling Campuses, reciprocal trips to China and separate Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) being signed with Zhongyuan University of Technology (ZUT) in February 2025 and Xinxiang Technical and Vocational College (XinXi) in June 2025.

The latest trip allowed Curriculum Manager in the Department of Care, Sport, Business and Communities Graham Gilliland, Lecturers from the same Department, Elaine Stewart and Neil McLeod, and Lecturer in Creative, Digital and Leisure Industries Aideen Doran, to visit Henan Province from 2nd to 6th March as part of the SEEP Test and Learn Project to deliver the project: ‘Curriculum Futures: International Collaboration for Scotland’s Prosperity’.

Running from October 2025 to March 2026, the project has aimed to build on previous collaboration and to enhance international education partnerships, focusing on curriculum innovation and global engagement.  

SEEP funding has enabled Scottish colleges and universities to support new forms of partnership working, staff development, and curriculum innovation, including through joint degrees and transnational education opportunities. More information is available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-education-exchange-programme-test-and-learn-project/
  
The key objectives are to: facilitate the exchange of educational practices, to learn and observe, and where possible innovative teaching methods and curriculum designs implemented in ZUT, with a focus on areas in curriculum design that includes:

1. Entrepreneurship 
2. Digital Transformation and Innovation 
3. Artificial Intelligence 
4. Sustainability and Renewable Energy 
5. Social Inclusion  

The aim of the trip to China was to discuss Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence, Digitalisation, Curriculum Systems, Faculty Status, Exchange Students and Cultural Exchanges.

On arrival at XinXi, the location hosting the visit, the FVC delegation were met by their hosts Henan International Exchange Association – which consisted of various senior academics and government officials - and a representative from the Zhengshou Pre-school Educational College.

Member of the Party Committee and Vice President of XinXi Cui Fenghua officially welcomed the group and exchanged gifts with Jamie.

On Wednesday 4 March the group heard from Ms Chen Chen on a topic entitled: A Study on the Roles of International Chinese Language Teacher Volunteers. Jamie then presented a talk on Curriculum drivers for the future – Entrepreneurialism, sustainability, industry, digital innovation, before Mr. Shen Jiafeng delivered a lecture on China's Education System: Structure, Reform and Future Outlook. To end the day’s session Graham Gilliland explored The Scottish Education System

On Thursday 5 March the delegation toured Xinxiang Vocational and Technical College campus and were then treated to a lecture entitled: Exploration of Employment and Entrepreneurship Education from the Perspective of Integrating Competition and Education, by Ms Bu Junfeng. After a break Ms Denise Duar Xia Shing from Taylor’s University Malaysia. And a visiting lecturer in early years education at ZUT, delivered a presentation on: Leading Sustainable Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, before the group travelled to visit Xinxiang City Museum and met with the Director of the institution for a personalised tour.

Jamie Allan, FVC’s Global Partnership Manager, said: “It was great to be back to Henan Province and see our friends from ZUT and XinXi. They made us feel truly welcome again, with incredible hospitality and a well thought out itinerary for the week. The lectures provided were very insightful and the amount of learning we brought back under the various themes for the SEEP project was significant – I think some perceptions have been changed about what is happening in China and there is a lot for the college sector in Scotland to learn from, particularly around where industry can provide more tangible and in-kind benefits for institutions and students. 

“As we continue to build trust with each other and build upon the initial steps, FVC will return in the summer for our now annual lecture series. Additionally, we are actively planning to host a summer school for their students in Forth Valley which will be a momentous occasion. As the UK and China move closer together, achieved through recently signed formal education agreements between Governments, we will continue to explore opportunities for closer cooperation that will benefit Forth Valley College.”

Neil McLeod, said: “It was an amazing experience which I’m so grateful to have been able to enjoy.  The people were so friendly and couldn’t have been more helpful and welcoming. They have a very strong work ethic and encourage their students to strive to be at their best in everything they do. The facilities in the departments we visited were very impressive and it is clear that they have strong ties with industry and employers. I think developing our relationship with more visits and hosting staff and students from ZUT would bring great rewards in terms of developing both institutions’ learning and teaching methodologies.”

Elaine Stewart, said: “The trip was genuinely an amazing experience and one that I feel lucky to have been part of. I learned so much from seeing different approaches in practice, and it really opened my eyes to new possibilities. It also made me think about how FVC could build even stronger relationships and create future opportunities by developing some of the ideas we explored while we were there.”

Graham Gilliland, said: “The visit to China was hugely beneficial, giving me valuable insight into their teaching practices and the strong industry education partnerships driving vocational learning there. Having the chance to present on the Scottish Education System allowed me to both share our strengths and reflect on how we can further enhance our own curriculum. Strengthening these relationships will create exciting new opportunities for our staff and students as our collaboration continues to grow.”

Aideen Doran, added: “Our recent trip to Henan province was an amazing professional opportunity. To see first-hand the scale of educational ambition in the province, the collaborations with industry partners and the culture of entrepreneurialism, was truly eye opening.  Our colleagues from ZUT and XinXi were incredibly welcoming, and even on the brief timeframe of our visit we were given opportunities to experience the regions unique culture and history. I look forward to seeing FVC continue to build on these relationships to create opportunities for further cooperation.”