VE China Hub Lightning Talks

Virtual Exchange China Hub Shares Updates and Lightning Talks at April Meetup

The Virtual Exchange (VE) China Hub community gathered online on Friday, 24 April 2026, for a lively and forward‑looking meetup filled with updates, shared achievements, and a series of lightning talks showcasing innovative VE practice. The morning opened with a warm welcome before moving into key announcements about the Hub’s presence at future conferences.

During the update segment, Kan Qian introduced the upcoming ChinaCALL & ICELEAL 2026 Conference, to be held in Guangzhou from 13–15 November under the theme “AI‑empowered Digital Language Education and Applied Linguistics: Bridging Theory and Practice.” The Online Confucius Institute at OU and the VE China Hub will co‑host the event and lead a 90‑minute VE symposium during the plenary programme. Members were encouraged to submit proposals by 15 August  and make sure "VE symposium"  is in the title of the abstracts submitted: https://www.chinacall.org.cn/conference2026/en_index.html

 She also highlighted that Mirjam Hauck has submitted a proposal on behalf of the Hub to the IVEC 2026 Conference, taking place online from 26–29 October.  Members are reminded to  include the Hub’s logo in accepted presentations.

Anna Nicolaou then shared an important VE‑focused evens. The Hub will present at the UNICollaboration Conference hosted by Cyprus University on 4–5 June, where it has secured a 60‑minute online slot featuring presentations and discussion.  The deadline for the registration is 15^th May 2026: https://unicollaborationconference2026.org/registration/

The main meeting consisted of a series of lightning talks, each offering a snapshot of current VE research and practice:

• CHEN Hao & Regina Brautlacht explored how multidisciplinary VE can strengthen collaboration, diversity, and global skills.
• Emma Zhang shared comparative insights into how AI is shaping diversity of expression in a multicultural VE programme, drawing on data from 2023 and 2024 iterations of a global citizenship course.
• Jade Wang Szilas discussed the shift from massiveness to individualisation in language MOOCs through VE design.
• Anisa Vahed presented strategies for scaling COIL initiatives at XJTLU.
• KAN Qian closed the series with a look at designing VE‑based collaborative learning projects to support intercultural competence development.

The VE China Hub continues to be a vibrant, collaborative space rich with ideas and updates to drive forward innovation in virtual exchange. If you want to become a member, please email: [email protected] 

Please find a recording from the meeting below: