On December 3, a delegation from Arts University Bournemouth(AUB) visited the International College(IC) of Xiamen University(XMU). Through exchange talks and art workshops, both sides deepened their consensus on cooperation, injecting new momentum into expanding international perspectives and building growth platforms for art students.

That morning, Yu Hongbo, Dean of IC, met with Ms. Claire Mcintyre, Head of the International Office at AUB, and her delegation in Room 601 of IC. Ms. Dan Meyer, Deputy Head of the International Office; Prof. Xavier Pick, a faculty member; and Ms. Qi Zheng, the university’s representative in China also attended the meeting.

During the talks, both sides exchanged views on the current status and development of students in the cooperation programs. AUB highly praised the professional competence and comprehensive abilities of the students from IC and fully affirmed the effectiveness of the existing joint training model. To further deepen cooperation, AUB announced that it will establish a Special Scholarship for Xiamen University students starting in 2026, providing stronger support for students from IC who pursue further studies at AUB. Additionally, the two sides engaged in constructive discussions on expanding collaborative fields, deepening curriculum alignment, and optimizing student support systems, reaching several preliminary consensuses and laying a solid foundation for future cooperation between the two sides

In the afternoon, Xavier Pick, visiting professor from AUB conducted a professional and engaging workshop titled "Creative Storytelling in Visual Communication" for first and second-year students majoring in Creative Arts and Design, Fashion Management, and Art Design. In the workshop, Prof. Pick initiated a warm-up challenge of "10-minute speed sketching," using animal models of various forms as creative vehicles. During the intense and time-limited session, students were required to quickly capture the dynamic features and detailed forms of the animals, breaking conventional thinking patterns through immediate observation and expression. This exercise not only honed the students’ rapid modeling skills but also encouraged them to step outside traditional drawing frameworks and observe subjects and record inspiration from more flexible perspectives.

Subsequently, Prof. Pick shared precious sketches and visual materials accumulated over his more than twenty years of artistic practice, generously imparting his core methodologies for idea generation, story construction, material collection, and sustained creation. Drawing from his cross-disciplinary experiences, he encouraged students to break free from traditional artistic constraints, challenge conventions from an interdisciplinary perspective, and boldly experiment with novel forms of creation and thinking. His sharing inspired the students profoundly, offering fresh insights for their future artistic journeys.

Towards the end of the workshop, Prof. Pick used "trees" as a creative starting point, guiding students through multisensory stimuli such as music and images to help them diverge their thinking and expand their imaginative boundaries. In the practical session, students built story scenes around the theme, creating inspiration thumbnails and visualizing their ideas, effectively enhancing their composition skills and narrative expression. Throughout the workshop, Prof. Pick’s professional guidance and vivid sharing allowed students to gain immensely from the immersive experience. His creative philosophy—"maintaining focus through the passage of time and upholding spiritual pursuits amid technical refinement"—left a deep impression on every student present.

This visit not only strengthened the mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides but also enriched the international teaching practices of IC’s art-related programs through high-level academic interaction. IC will continue to expand its in-depth collaborations with top-tier global institutions, continually refine its international talent cultivation system, and provide robust support for students to step onto broader global stages.