On December 5th, GES2018 Future Education Summit (hereinafter referred to as "GES Summit") ended successfully. The summit invited 180 speakers from 26 countries and attracted nearly 2000 participants to share educational achievements and explore the future of education. In the closing speech, Zhou Chenggang, CEO of New Oriental Education & Technology Group and well-known expert in English education and study abroad planning, and Bai Yunfeng, Co-founder and President of Good Future Education Group, shared their thoughts on the summit and looked ahead to the future of education.

“The GES Future Education Summit is a meeting of minds for learners and a platform for the education community,” Bai Yunfeng said, emphasizing the need for collaboration among government, schools, social organizations, media, and enterprises to discuss the future of education. Regarding the relationship between technology and education, Bai Yunfeng emphasized that technology is neither good nor bad; it depends on the intentions of the users, and technological advancements should ultimately benefit the people.

Zhou Chenggang, CEO of New Oriental Education & Technology Group, and Bai Yunfeng, Co-founder and President of Good Future Education Group, delivering a joint closing speech.

Below is a record of the dialogue:

Bai Yunfeng:

Every time I hear Mr. Zhou share his thoughts and wisdom at the event, I am deeply inspired. As GES2018 comes to a close, what are your feelings about this year's GES Future Education Summit?

Zhou Chenggang:

This year, New Oriental and Good Future jointly organized such an educational event, attracting experts from various countries, inspiring many thoughts and perspectives, and drawing attention to the unequal state of rural education. This information can reach the world instantly through modern technology, which is remarkable and will have a significant impact on China's current educational reforms. So, this has been a successful conference. We are deeply grateful to Good Future, and we are also fully committed to participating. We hope to disseminate this information to various industries as well.

Bai Yunfeng:

As Mr. Zhou said, every guest at the event has high expectations for education. This time, GES2018 Future Education Summit invited a total of 180 speakers from 26 countries and attracted nearly 2000 participants. This edition of GES Future Education Summit has had a broader reach and a more profound impact.

Zhou Chenggang:

Yes, our education today is for all the children of the present and the future.

Looking to the Future: Unity and Focus

Bai Yunfeng:

What are your expectations for the education industry next year?

Zhou Chenggang:

I not only hope to disseminate a lot of information through the conference, but I also hope that the education industry can promote, implement, and actualize these ideas and thoughts, which require a better environment and more support from the government and the country. In this sense, education needs the efforts of the government, the soil of society, and the diligence and implementation of educators to truly bear fruit.

Bai Yunfeng:

At this conference, we have heard different perspectives and explorations of the essence of education, as well as discussions on the direction we should take after integrating technology and education. I hope to see more representatives from the government, social organizations, schools, and media friends, join forces with social enterprises to explore the possibilities of education and contribute beneficial initiatives to education.

Zhou Chenggang:

Yes, last year, New Oriental and Good Future jointly established the Qingshiyuanshan Public Welfare Foundation. From the participation of 2 companies last year to the 17 companies this year, more enterprises are willing to invest more funds in the public welfare foundation to help more children in poor mountainous areas and promote inclusive education. Although this is a symbolic gesture, we hope to garner collective attention and drive the progress of education across society.

Zhou Chenggang (right) and Bai Yunfeng (left) jointly expressing their hopes for the future.

Bai Yunfeng:

Through the exchange of ideas, we hope to focus more on addressing the unequal education in impoverished areas and explore the areas where we can make a difference. Of course, there will also be discussions about technology. I believe technology is neither good nor bad; it depends on the intentions of the users. Technological progress should ultimately benefit the people, and we must remain true to our original intentions. This conference has been a complete success, and I look forward to a more successful GES Future Education Summit next year!

Here, we would like to express special thanks to the six organizers of this conference, including the China Development Research Foundation, Beijing Normal University, Tencent, GSV, New Oriental, and Good Future. We also thank all the speakers and participants. We look forward to seeing more new friends at next year's GES Future Education Summit and discussing the future of education together!