Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) has launched its new academic brand, XJTU SPARKS, with an inaugural lecture series that concluded on April 29. The series attracted more than 106,000 online views, marking a significant milestone for the initiative.

Held at the Westward Relocation Museum, the event featured four TED-style talks by faculty members: Professor Liu Zhiyuan, Associate Professor Yang Ling, Associate Professor Liu Hao, and Professor Li Xiang. These experts, from fields such as electrical engineering, economics and finance, life science and technology, and mechanical engineering, discussed topics ranging from vacuum switch technology development to AI-driven fault diagnosis. The talks, which blended cutting-edge research with engaging storytelling, were livestreamed globally on Facebook.

Launched in January 2026, XJTU SPARKS aims to make advanced research accessible through lectures, short videos, and public events. The recent series drew students from various disciplines, sparking lively interdisciplinary discussions. An international student from the School of Law remarked on the valuable insights into AI and society, saying, "Hearing how researchers approach these problems from different disciplines was very inspiring."

Before the lectures, XJTU SPARKS released six "One-Minute Research Insight" videos on Instagram and Facebook, featuring esteemed scholars like CAS Academicians Tao Wenquan and Xu Zongben. These videos extended XJTU's academic vision to international audiences.

The lecture series expanded the initiative's reach, transforming research discoveries into engaging talks for students and the public. These efforts have strengthened XJTU's international academic presence and highlighted Xi'an's growing role in innovation. Building on this success, XJTU SPARKS plans to invite more distinguished scholars and promote Xi'an as a hub for innovation.