On March 24, 2025, the Tsinghua University - Middle East Technical University Youth Cultural Exchange Conference under the theme "Civilization Dialogue and Youth Co-Creation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" was successfully held at the Confucius Institute at Middle East Technical University.

This event was jointly organized by Tsinghua University "Global Competence Overseas Practicum Program in Türkiye" team and the Confucius Institute at Middle East Technical University. It aimed to foster exchanges, dialogue and mutual learning among young students from both universities, and promote academic and cultural cooperation between universities in China and Türkiye. More than 40 teachers and students from various majors, including journalism and communication, mathematics, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, business administration, aerospace engineering and international relations, gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as campus life, academic development, cultural exchange between China and Türkiye, and the impact of artificial intelligence.

At the beginning of the conference, representatives from both sides delivered speeches. Prof. Fan Hong, Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Journalism and Communication of Tsinghua University and Director of the National Image Communication Research Center at Tsinghua University, expressed her hope that in-depth exchanges with young students from top universities in Türkiye would provide new opportunities for China-Türkiye civilization dialogue and mutual learning. She also emphasized the importance of enhancing mutual understanding and fostering cross-cultural communication and cooperation among students from both universities. Dr. Burcu Akpınar, Coordinator of International Cooperations Office at Middle East Technical University, stated that this exchange would allow young students from China and Türkiye to explore the intersection of technology, culture, and the future together. She highlighted the significance of such discussions, idea-sharing, and knowledge co-creation, underscoring the vital educational mission of universities in both countries in the context of globalization. She also expressed hope for more similar collaborations and exchange opportunities in the future.

Subsequently, in the Cultural Presentation session, Wang Yixin, a master's student from the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University, and Alperen Ergin, an undergraduate student majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Middle East Technical University, represented their respective universities and shared insights into the history, campus environment, academic atmosphere, and extracurricular activities of their universities, vividly showcasing the unique campus cultures of both universities and deepening mutual understanding.

The highlight of the conference was a free discussion on "Opportunities and Challenges in the AI Era". Students from both universities actively participated, raising questions and engaging in discussions on topics such as AI development trends, potential risks, its impact on education, and its influence on social progress. The heated discussions not only enhanced students' understanding of artificial intelligence technology, but also facilitated idea exchanges across different cultural contexts.

The exchange conference concluded successfully in a friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere. Participants expressed that the event not only deepened mutual understanding but also broadened their horizons, creating new opportunities for future educational and cultural collaborations between Chinese and Turkish universities.