On the morning of November 26, 2024, a joint class event between Tsinghua University and the Faculty of Innovation and Design at City University of Macau was held at the City University of Macau. Research teams from both universities gathered to engage in in-depth academic exchanges.

The event attracted many scholars from both institutions, creating a vibrant academic atmosphere. Among the attendees were Associate Professor Fu Zhiyong, Deputy Director of the Department of Information Art and Design at Tsinghua University’s Academy of Art and Design; Professor Wang Po-hsun, Executive Vice Dean of the Faculty of Innovation and Design at City University of Macau; Assistant Professor Liu Jing; and Professor Peng Liang, Dean of the School of Design at Shunde Vocational and Technical College. These distinguished figures collectively witnessed the event, which was hosted by Assistant Professor Liu Jing from City University of Macau.

The event featured a special lecture by Associate Professor Fu Zhiyong. He provided an in-depth exploration of the cutting-edge field of design futures, focusing on methods for constructing new systems for future society. Using design thinking as a key entry point, he detailed how innovative design concepts can predict and shape the developmental trajectory of future societies. Through rich and inspiring case studies, Fu highlighted the immense potential of design futures in addressing social problems and driving progress.

PhD student Chen Yu from the Department of Information Art and Design at Tsinghua University delivered an excellent presentation titled "Future Vision 2024: New Space Habitats." She vividly showcased a future space living scenario through five sections: Pioneers’ Files, Material Revolution, Marsia’s Box, Mars Diaries, and a themed exhibition on New Space Habitats. In her depiction, future space habitats will embody resilience, prosperity, inclusiveness, and sustainable development. The audience was transported into a distant and hopeful interstellar future, igniting boundless imaginations about space exploration and future living models.

PhD student Zhao Pengcheng from the School of Innovation Design at City University of Macau introduced the school’s international perspective and broad disciplinary fields, which include visual communication, product design, spatial design, and intangible cultural heritage preservation. The school is dedicated to cultivating innovative talent. In the field of cultural heritage preservation, it has partnered with the University of Évora in Portugal to establish a Sino-Portuguese joint laboratory, conducting cooperative projects to explore the value of Sino-Portuguese cultural heritage and methods of inheritance and application. The school leverages frontier technologies like the metaverse to innovate heritage communication, enhance cultural and tourism experiences, and promote disciplinary development. Looking ahead, it will continue to deepen international cooperation, explore innovative educational and research models, and enhance the cultural influence of Macau while contributing to talent cultivation and disciplinary growth.

During the Q&A and academic exchange session, students from both universities discussed the theoretical and practical applications of design futures. They shared their views on using systematic approaches to shape future scenarios. This session deepened students’ understanding of design futures and fostered friendships and cooperation between students from both institutions, laying the groundwork for future academic exchanges and collaborative research. At the conclusion, Assistant Professor Liu Jing provided a comprehensive summary of the event, marking a successful close to the joint class, with both sides looking forward to future collaborations.

After the joint class, both teams engaged in in-depth discussions on inter-university collaboration, including the 2025 Tsinghua International Summer School and preparations for the 2025 World Chinese Human-Computer Interaction Conference. These discussions signal that the two universities will further strengthen academic exchanges and resource sharing, working together to drive innovation in the design field and contribute to the cultivation of design talent with an international perspective and innovative capabilities.

This joint class event not only provided a valuable platform for learning and exchange for students and faculty from both universities, but also served as a successful model of cross-school and cross-regional academic collaboration. With the joint efforts of both sides, more exciting outcomes are anticipated in the design field, injecting continuous momentum into the development of the design industry!