An Academic Bridge in Cross-civilizational Dialogue: Dr. Rabiah Rustam, Linguistics Expert from COMSATS University, Visits the School and Delivers a Series of Lectures

To further promote China–Pakistan academic exchange and mutual learning among civilizations, Dr. Rabiah Rustam, a linguistics expert from COMSATS University in Pakistan, visited the School of Foreign Languages at Tianjin University from May 28 to June 5. During her week-long visit, she engaged in extensive exchanges on academic research, talent cultivation, and intercultural understanding, and delivered five thematic lectures. The visit not only deepened academic ties between the two institutions but also infused the China–Pakistan “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” with new vitality in education and people-to-people exchange.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of “valuing the inheritance and innovation of civilizations and strengthening international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.” This visit is an important initiative by the School of Foreign Languages to broaden its “Global South” perspective and deepen international academic dialogue. Dr. Rustam previously participated online in the founding conference of the “Global South” Academic Research Alliance hosted by the School; her on-site visit this time signifies a further deepening and solidification of bilateral cooperation.

Over the nine-day visit, the School carefully designed nine activities across five major dimensions: academic research, teaching practice, curriculum reform, cultural visits, and cooperation expansion. Dr. Rustam delivered a series of talks targeted at faculty members, postgraduate students, and undergraduates, including:

·Practical Insight into Developing an Effective Research Proposal in Academic Writing

·Pakistan-China Relations: A Cultural and Educational Perspective

·From Traditional to Critical: Remodeling Lessons to Reform Classroom Teaching

·Exploring the Relationship between Metadiscourse Features and Readability of Undergraduate Research Abstracts

These talks combined theoretical depth with practical value and sparked animated discussion among faculty and students, particularly on topics such as research writing, instructional design, and intercultural education. During the interactive sessions, participants engaged Dr. Rustam in in-depth exchanges on research methods, teaching reforms, and potential future cooperation, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Vice Dean Xiao Zhenfeng, English Department Chair Feng Hui, Associate Chair Yang Anqi, Party Branch Secretary Hao Zhiqin, and various faculty and student representatives took part in different sessions and spoke highly of Dr. Rustam’s lectures. They agreed that the visit not only broadened the School’s international academic horizons, but also offered valuable reference points for advancing the internationalization of talent cultivation.

Dr. Rustam stated that she greatly values the friendly relationship with the School of Foreign Languages at Tianjin University and is willing to continue promoting deep cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani universities, jointly exploring innovative pathways for language research and education in the context of the Global South. She emphasized that educational cooperation is a bridge for fostering mutual understanding and affinity between the peoples of the two countries, and expressed her desire to continue contributing to China–Pakistan academic diplomacy.

This academic exchange showcased the School’s proactive role in international humanities exchange, It also gave concrete expression to the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, opening a new chapter in China–Pakistan mutual learning among civilizations.