Focusing on the innovative development of animation education in the digital and intelligent era, participants gathered to discuss the future of animation education. On May 20, the Animation Education Symposium themed Boundless Intelligence· Principled Innovation grandly opened at Jilin Animation Institute. Co-organized by ASIFA China, China Chamber of Commerce for Private Cultural Industry, Art Education Committee of China Association of Non-Government Education, Jilin Federation of Non-Party Intellectuals, Jilin Animation and Game Association and Jilin Animation Institute, the event is divided into plenary sessions, parallel forums and roundtable discussions. It combines industry trends with teaching practices from diverse perspectives, and integrates academic ideas with practical outcomes, ensuring every session features profound ideological connotations and professional insights.
Opening Ceremony
A host of renowned experts and scholars from home and abroad attended the event together with teachers and students of Jilin Animation Institute in Changchun. The guests include Li Jianping, former Dean and Doctoral Supervisor of the School of Animation, Beijing Film Academy and Director of the Animation Art Committee of China Artists Association; Xiao Zhidong, Principal Academic Expert and Doctoral Supervisor at the National Centre for Computer Animation, Bournemouth University, UK; Rachel Landers, Professor and Head of the Department of Media Arts, Animation, Music and Sound Design, University of Technology Sydney, Australia; Ryu Hyunseok, Associate Professor and Dean of the School of Animation, Chungkang College of Cultural Industries, Korea; Ai Shengying, Professor, Master’s Supervisor and Animation Producer of the School of Animation and Digital Arts, Communication University of China; Max Hattler, Associate Professor and Programme Leader of Bachelor of Arts in Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong; and Arien Hielkema, Programme Coordinator of Bachelor of Art and Design Courses at Media Design School, New Zealand. Centering on topics such as the high-quality development of animation education, construction of creation systems and talent cultivation through industry-education integration, the participants explored the innovative development path of animation education while inheriting fine traditions in the digital and intelligent age. They joined efforts to pool wisdom and inject momentum into the high-quality development of the animation industry. Liu Xin, Vice Chairman of Jilin Animation Institute, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, and Peng Wei, Vice President of the institute, presided over the ceremony.
Jointly Visualizing a New Landscape of Animation Education in the Digital and Intelligent Era
Liu Xin's speech
In her speech, Liu Xin pointed out that artificial intelligence, as a leading, strategic and disruptive force, has ushered the world into a "singularity era". The industrial ecosystem is being restructured, talent evaluation criteria are being redefined, and the missions and paths of education call for renewed interpretation. With the theme Boundless Intelligence, Path to Innovation, the symposium not only demonstrates the infinite possibilities brought by technological transformation, but also upholds the essence of education to pursue innovation.
Against such historical trends and transformative demands, the symposium explored four key propositions: reshaping educational logic, reforming talent training models, building cooperation mechanisms and co-creating future ecosystems. It advocates shifting the focus from single-skill teaching to fostering comprehensive capabilities, and cultivating interdisciplinary talents through interdisciplinary integration, project-based learning and real-scene practice. It also encourages animation universities worldwide to draw on each other's strengths and share resources, promote the two-way empowerment of industry-education integration instead of one-way supply, and jointly build an open and collaborative new ecosystem for animation education.
Quoting a remark made by Huai Jinpeng, Minister of Education, during the 2026 World Digital Education Conference — "Gather strength through trust and cooperation, and enlighten the future with openness and wisdom", Liu Xin called on all participants to work together to create a new prospect for animation education.
Jilin Animation Institute Launches the Cohesion· Co-creation - University Collaborative Development Alliance at the Opening Ceremony
University Collaborative Development Alliance
Li Jianping from Beijing Film Academy, Xiao Zhidong from Bournemouth University, Rachel Landers from the University of Technology Sydney, Ryu Yun-seok from Chugye University for the Arts, Ai Shengying from Communication University of China, Max Hartl from City University of Hong Kong, Arjen Hilkema from Media Design School, Du Chuanyong from Jilin Animation Institute and other Chinese and foreign experts jointly pressed the launch button.
Going forward, adhering to the philosophy of "complementary advantages and collaborative development", Jilin Animation Institute will carry out regular exchanges with partner universities in teaching and research collaboration, resource sharing, faculty and student exchanges as well as joint talent training. Both sides will explore practical approaches in creative innovation, joint talent training and co-construction of research platforms, so as to fuel the sustained innovation of animation education.
Guest Professor Appointment Ceremony Held to Gather Global Intellectual Strength
Guest Professors appointment
Concurrent with the opening ceremony, a visiting professor appointment ceremony was held. Liu Xin presented appointment certificates to Xiao Zhidong, Rachel Landers, Ai Shengying, Max Hattler and Arien Hielkema, appointing them as guest professors of Jilin Animation Institute.
Sticking to the schooling feature of "open internationalization", the institute has recruited more than 600 experts and scholars from across the globe. This round of appointments further strengthens its international faculty team and provides strong support for animation talent training, academic research and industry-education integration.
This symposium pools wisdom for animation education and builds consensus on industry-education integration, exploring new paths for talent cultivation in the digital and intelligent era. It is not merely a collision of ideas and integration of academic achievements, but also an important starting point for animation education to embrace changes and march toward the future.
In the days ahead, Jilin Animation Institute will keep forging ahead amid boundless technological changes while staying firm in the pursuit of innovation. It will strike a balance between inheritance and innovation, and identify the foothold for animation education to uphold traditions and keep pace with the times. Standing at a new starting point featuring in-depth integration of digital technology and cultural innovation, all participating parties will fully leverage openness, collaboration and innovation to further develop animation education. Together, they will strive to tell wonderful Chinese stories, cultivate outstanding talents for the times, boost the global development of China's animation industry, and write a more brilliant new chapter.
