The 25th China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT) was successfully held from September 8th to 11th at Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center. As the only university exhibitor in the public exhibition area of this year's CIFIT, the Institute of Creativity and Innovation made a remarkable appearance with its "Xin Zhi Zao" (New Smart Manufacturing) themed exhibition. Meanwhile, the ICI organized students to participate deeply in volunteer services, showcasing the achievements of Sino-British educational cooperation and innovative educational strength with its distinctive "cross-cultural, cross-disciplinary" features.
Three Exhibition Booths Present the Core of "Xin Zhi Zao" (New Smart Manufacturing) and Multicultural Faculty and Students Explore the Symbiosis of Technology and Humanity
Faculty and students from the ICI presented three exclusive booths in Halls C and B of CIFIT, centering around three core themes: "Slow Urbanism, Soft Wellness" "The Digital Tree of Knowing" and "Perform the Future". They exhibited three sets of "socially constructed technological installation" works. These pieces addressed the era's issues of "what is technology for" and "what can technology do" from four dimensions: "City as Culture," "Heritage as Platform," "Craft as Knowledge," and "Human as Resource."
"Slow Urbanism, Soft Wellness" Booth
Focusing on the integration of rural wisdom with contemporary life, this mobile installation recreates the traditional craft of herbal tea making. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the processes of sun-drying, boiling, and tasting tea. Through interactive participation, the concept that “design is an act of perception” comes to life, allowing everyone to experience the tranquility of coexistence of nature with everyday living.
"The Digital Tree of Knowing" Booth
Through video and interactive installations, a data-immersive environment is created to simulate the relationship of trust between humans and algorithms in the information age. This space invites contemplation on our connection with technology and encourages reflection on the nature of “trust” and “meaning” in a digitized life.
"Perform the Future" Booth：
With the inspiration of the Southern Fujian dragon dance, and by using digital scanning and material remaking techniques, the installation in this booth transforms traditional rituals into a contemporary narrative environment. Visitors are invited to embark on an immersive journey through light, shadow, and structure, experiencing the regeration of cultural heritage and the transmission of collective memory.
During the curation of the exhibition, Professor Qin Jian, the dean of the ICI, came to inspect and guide the exhibition personally. At the same time, the ICI organized more than 20 Chinese and foreign teachers to come to the exhibition area for a visit and exchange of views. They engaged in profound discussions around the cross-cultural design concepts and the integration of technology and humanity shown in the exhibits, as well as the global industrial innovation trends demonstrated at CIFIT. They not only affirmed the student projects’ creative perspectives— rooted in local context yet integrated with global perspectives—but also identified new potential directions for future Sino-British collaboration in areas such as industry-education integration, curriculum innovation, international project cooperation, etc.
At the end of the exhibition, the Organizing Committee of CIFIC sent a special letter of appreciation to the ICI.
Student Volunteers Bolster CIFIT; Youthful Energy Showcases Educational Achievements
In addition to the exhibition, the Institute formed a student curatorial and volunteer service team, which was involved in the entire process of the planning and setup of the exhibits and exhibition areas, as well as on-site guidance, exhibitor assistance, and crowd management during CIFIT. With their professional attitude and cross-cultural communication skills, the volunteers ensured the smooth execution of various exhibition processes. Their positive and dedicated spirit was not only highly commended by exhibitors and the organizers, but also served as a vivid embodiment of the Institute’s educational mission to cultivate talents with a global perspective and a strong sense of responsibility.
Song Jiayu, a student from the cohort of 2022 in Environmental Design, shared: “It was my first time to participate in such an authoritative platform. I had to adapt and enhance my capabilities and mindset—I’m truly grateful for this internship experience.”
This year’s exhibition took place while the United Kingdom was the Guest of Honor at CIFIT. As a representative achievement of Sino-British educational collaboration, the Institute has demonstrated the deep integration of technology, culture, and education in the context of “New Smart Manufactuing,” through both its exhibition and volunteer initiatives. It also infused youthful energy into international industry-education synergy and regional cultural innovation. Moving forward, the Institute of Creativity and Innovation at Xiamen University will continue to uphold the philosophy of openness and integration, further exploring in the fileds of cross-cultural education and creative practices. We remain committed to cultivating top-tier innovative talents and advancing international educational cooperation into a new chapter.
