From September 11 to 15, Professor Deng Tao, the Dean of the Graduate School, and Professor Cheng Jinhua, the Vice Dean, from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, represented the university at the Universitas 21 (U21) conference held at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. The theme of this alliance meeting was "Co-Creating the Future: Research-Intensive Universities in the Age of AI and Knowledge Engagement." The conference brought together over 60 representatives, including presidents, deans of graduate schools, heads of research institutions, and other delegates from more than 20 member universities of the alliance.

The conference was organized by the Universitas 21 (U21) and hosted by the University of Zurich. During the conference, participants engaged in discussions on research and talent development in the era of artificial intelligence through keynote speeches, thematic discussions, and group sessions. Professor Deng Tao and Professor Cheng Jinhua actively participated in the entire conference, particularly contributing to the Deans and Directors of Graduate Studies (DDoGs) group discussions. They shared insights on topics such as mentor training, research collaboration, and career development in graduate education. Additionally, they presented Shanghai Jiao Tong University's practices in talent development and learned from valuable experiences shared by representatives of other member universities in the alliance.

Deng Tao and Cheng Jinhua held discussions with representatives from collaborating universities, including the University of Maryland, the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and the National University of Singapore. The discussions aimed to further deepen and expand cooperation in graduate education. They also engaged in talks with representatives from the University of Zurich, the University of Connecticut, the University of Auckland, the University of Hong Kong, and others to explore feasible plans for collaborative graduate education. These discussions resulted in fruitful outcomes.

Following the conference, the representatives from Shanghai Jiao Tong University proposed an informal motion to the alliance secretariat, suggesting the possibility of hosting the U21 Graduate Deans Forum at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in either 2024 or 2025.

The Universitas 21 (U21) was established in 1997 and currently comprises nearly 30 member universities from 18 countries across six continents. It is an international network of leading research-intensive universities. U21 facilitates global knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration by promoting communication and cooperation among its member institutions, involving both faculty and students.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) joined the U21 network in 2005. Currently, SJTU serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the U21 Educational Innovation Special Interest Group. The university has hosted various U21 events, including summer schools, graduate forums, and management meetings. Additionally, SJTU has actively participated in a range of activities, competitions, and collaborative teaching projects organized by the U21 alliance.