On the morning of 20 October 2025, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics (JUFE) and University of Southampton convened a cooperation discussion meeting in the conference room of JUFE’s Office of International Cooperation and Exchange(OICE). Attending the meeting were Dr. Elisabeth Schroeder-Butterfill, Head of the Department of Gerontology, and Stella Tian, International Relations Manager, from University of Southampton. The JUFE delegation included Liu Xiaobing, Deputy Director of OICE; Jiang Guohe, Dean of School of Sociology and Humanities and his faculty members Dr. Wu Yang and Dr. Zheng Pianpian.
The meeting began with introductions from both institutions, followed by in-depth discussions on key cooperative initiatives. These included credit transfer and joint student training programs and teachers collaborative research et al.. A clear pathway for future collaboration was established, with both parties agreeing to enhance communication in areas such as co-developed courses, team teaching, and student and faculty exchanges. This partnership is designed to pool educational resources and foster talent development.
In the afternoon, School of Sociology and Humanities welcomed a delegation from University of Southampton. The two sides held productive discussions on a range of academic topics, including aging and long-term care research, as well as educational experiences and career pathways in Gerontology. The visit has laid a solid foundation for future international collaboration between the two institutions. Guided by its mission to “cultivate the soil of humanities and advance innovative practice”，School of Sociology and Humanities engaged in in-depth research on aging-related issues while actively expanding its global partnership network. As one of the UK’s top universities, University of Southampton is home to the country’s only dedicated Department of Gerontology and has achieved notable expertise in population studies, elderly community networks, aging society development, and the socioeconomic dimensions of aging. Both parties share broad consensus on talent development and academic research, and are jointly committed to establishing a sustainable exchange mechanism.
During the exchange sessions, Prof. Elisabeth systematically introduced the research priorities of the University’s Ageing Research Center and her department. She delivered an academic report titled, “How Population, Socioeconomic, and Cultural Factors Shape Care and Support Networks for the Elderly in Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs).” Drawing on her transnational ethnographic research on elderly care networks, Prof. Elisabeth provided a detailed analysis of elderly care in Indonesia, highlighting variations across communities and groups, challenges in family care, and potential pathways toward a sustainable and equitable care system. Her findings offer a valuable perspective on global aging governance. She further noted a significant gap between the needs of functionally impaired older adults and the available medical services in Indonesia. In this context, community-based volunteers providing door-to-door care represent a low-cost, high-efficiency intervention that can effectively supplement family-based support. This practical model offers important insights not only for Indonesia but also for other aging societies worldwide. She also advocated for the establishment of a more sustainable long-term care system, emphasizing the development of professional care services while respecting traditional family-support values—with special attention to vulnerable groups. This perspective resonates strongly with the mission of JUFE School of Sociology and Humanities: “to serve people’s livelihoods, promote interdisciplinary integration, and cultivate innovative talents in social sciences.” Her presentation stimulated lively discussions among faculty and students, leading to in-depth exchanges on both the theoretical and practical implications of her research.
In addition, the two sides explored opportunities to promote student exchange programs and deepen scientific research collaboration. A representative from JUFE School of Sociology and Humanities outlined procedures and pathways for international academic exchanges, encouraging students to actively broaden their global perspectives. Representatives from University of Southampton shared information on the learning experience and career prospects of their gerontology program, detailing its educational philosophy, admission criteria, curriculum design, and the global development trajectory of aging-related disciplines. They also provided a systematic overview of the core knowledge framework in gerontology, offering a comprehensive introduction to the field.The two parties reached a preliminary consensus to pursue practical cooperation in areas such as faculty and student visits and academic partnerships, with the goal of strengthening students’ academic foundations in a cross-cultural context and expanding their international outlook.
At the conclusion of the event, representatives from School of Sociology and Humanities joined Prof. Elisabeth for a group photo, commemorating a historic moment in the academic exchange between the two institutions and heralding a new chapter in their collaborative relationship. This visit not only built a bridge of mutual understanding but also opened new prospects for international cooperation in the humanities and social sciences. Going forward, both sides will seize this opportunity to further deepen collaboration in academic research, talent development, and other areas, working together to build a closer and more innovative partnership.
(Photo: Xiong Wenxia Text: Hong Lumin, Zheng Pianpian, Xiong Wenxia Review: Jiang Guohe)
