Sias International University held its annual Student-Teacher Symposium, an open forum between students, teachers, and university leaders, on November 5. The leaders present at the Symposium included the Chairman of the Board of Sias, Dr. Shawn Chen, Party Secretary, Ma Jiansheng, Sias President, Chen Sikun, Executive President, Wang Jialin, Deputy Party Secretary, Li Huafeng, Vice President, Wu Hua, and Assistant Principal, Guo Xuede. The leaders of all the departments, academic schools, and residential colleges were also present. Over 1,000 students and teachers were present for the 2018/19 Student-Teacher Symposium.

Dr. Shawn Chen delivered a speech and spoke of the importance of an open forum between students, teachers, and those responsible for the management and administration of the university. He said that a transparent, open and democratic system was a hallmark of the culture of Sias. He said that for the development of the university adn growth of the students, ideas from all quarters were welcome. This, he said, was in line with the student-first ethos at Sias.

Students of different grades and majors put forward their doubts and suggestions with regard to a variety of topics such as academics, facilities, dormitories, resources, campus safety, methods of study and teaching and the implementation of new ideas in the residential colleges. University leaders and heads of departments listened to the students, answered their questions and noted down their suggestions. The aim, they said, was to improve the entire system of the university by optimizing the allocation of resources, creating smooth channels for feedback, improving the campus environment, and strengthening the ethical conduct of students and teachers.

The dialogue between students and teachers also provides a comprehensive and open channel for students to air their grievances and inform the leadership of the challenges they face in their daily lives as students. Microblogs and online fora for students were set up for these methods of feedback. Departments at Sias pledged to help collect and sort this data so that teachers could address students' needs.

In his concluding speech, Dr. Chen expressed his gratitude towards the students for their honest opinions and suggestions. He said that open exchanges would lead to a more trustworthy relationship between students and teachers. He encouraged students to actively participate in the online fora to contribute to the growth and development of Sias, and said that Sias would work hard to continually improve its management and teaching methods.