Representatives of the Faculty of Law at Shenzhen University Visit STL

To strengthen inter-institutional collaboration and promote the communication and exchange of experiences in student organization development, a delegation of over twenty faculty and students from the Faculty of Law at Shenzhen University, led by Deputy Secretary Li Chijie of the Law School Youth League Committee, visited the Peking University School of Transnational Law on October 17, 2024. Xu Xiaoqi, Senior Officer of Student Affairs in our Student Work Office, and representatives from major student organizations participated in the reception and discussions.

First, the visiting faculty and students toured the STL building, led by Zhang Zhifan, a master's student from the class of 2023. Zhang introduced the history of the establishment of STL, highlighting the innovation and uniqueness of our JD programs in common law and the Master of Chinese Law. During the tour, he explained the architectural features and functional layout of the building.

In the subsequent discussion on student organization development, Xu Xiaoqi welcomed the visiting students and faculty on behalf of STL. The attendees introduced themselves briefly, enhancing mutual understanding and laying a solid foundation for further in-depth exchanges. The focus of the discussion was on the construction of student organizations at both institutions and the sharing of experiences.

Zhang Yue from the class of 2023 represented the Student Union (SU) of STL and provided an introduction. She mentioned that the Student Union adheres to the principle of “representing students, relying on students, and working for students,” aiming to provide comprehensive support and services. The Student Union consists of three main departments: the Secretariat, Activities Department, and Publicity Department, each responsible for daily management, event planning, and promotional activities, respectively. Zhang explained the operational models of the three departments and showcased unique events organized by the Student Union, such as faculty dinners, exchange lectures, workshops, and State of STL, demonstrating that the Student Union is not only the core of student self-governance but also plays an important role in strengthening academic, cultural, and campus life exchanges among students across years and faculty.

Zhang Zhifan then introduced the Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF), sharing its fundamental background and development history. He highlighted how PILF has gradually evolved over a decade into a student organization with dual attributes of public interest and legal support, currently being the largest student organization in STL. He provided details on PILF's positioning, functions, organizational structure, and departmental responsibilities, sharing its outstanding achievements in serving public interest in the legal field. Additionally, Zhang mentioned that 2025 will mark the 10th anniversary of the public interest legal auction gala, extending a heartfelt invitation to Shenzhen University faculty and students to attend the event.

Guo Xiaoqi, the vice president of the Society of Women in Law (SWL), discussed the background and purpose of the association, as well as its unique series of activities. Established in 2010, SWL is the first organization among law schools in China focused on women in legal professions, committed to promoting gender equality and female development. Through initiatives such as overseas Chinese women's protection programs, ShoWTalk presentations, and “She·Film” themed screenings, SWL has not only infused new vitality into campus culture but also provided profound insights and discussion platforms on this vital issue. Despite its name, SWL aims to be an undefined association — “Society Without Limitation.” The association seeks to broaden its vision beyond Peking University, law, and women, promoting gender equality and empowering women's development from a more diverse and inclusive perspective.

Li Chijie from Shenzhen University’s Faculty of Law shared insights on the construction of student organizations, including the Youth League Committee, Legal Research Society, Student Union, Mediation Association, Student Committee, Legal Consulting Association, and Debate Team. He shared experiences in student governance, organizational operation, and event planning, expressing hopes for deeper exchanges and collaboration between the two schools.

In the open discussion segment, faculty and students from both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on several topics, including innovative formats and content for various activities, training mechanisms for moot court teams, sources of funding for organizations and their autonomy, challenges faced during the establishment of associations, and standards and operational models for legal aid. The atmosphere was lively, with active interactions as participants shared insights and experiences, laying a solid foundation for further cooperation, enriching perspectives, and providing new ideas and directions for future collaboration.

At the conclusion of the event, both sides exchanged souvenirs to express their wishes for friendship and cooperation. A group photo was taken in the lobby of STL to commemorate the fruitful visit and exchange activities. As the only two law schools in Shenzhen, we look forward to continued collaboration in the future, infusing the innovative development of this city with the youthful energy of law school students.