On 17 June 2025, from 18:30 to 20:30 Beijing time (UTC+8), WHITR-AP Shanghai and CAUP Tongji University organized the 4th Technical Meeting of the International Network for Urban-rural Heritage Conservation in Higher Education Institutions (UHC-HEI).

To follow up on the Network’s previous Technical Meetings of 18 March, 26 June 2024, and the one in two sessions meeting of 2 and 7 April 2025, WHITR-AP Shanghai and the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP), Tongji University, organized the 4th online Technical Meeting to update its members on ongoing activities, collect their feedback and allow members to share information on their activities. Over 30 participants from 14 countries from the 4 regions of the world and UN-Habitat attended it.

The meeting allowed to greet new members and discuss in particular the preparation of the forthcoming international conference on Reshaping Heritage Conservation Education In Higher Education: What, How, For Whom? (25-26 October 2025) and of the Yunlong International Workshop 2025 (11-22 October 2025). Also, participants provided insightful contributions to the organization of the first UHC-HEI Network General Assembly planned before the conference, on 24 October 2025.

Additionally, the meeting focused on the planning of two exhibitions, one on the outcomes of the Yunlong workshop and one on urban rural heritage conservation in higher education to showcase the members’ educational practices, research and actions in the field of heritage. The Technical Meeting allowed, furthermore, to present other ongoing or planned activities of the Network members. The secretariat detailed the side events organized and co-organized by WHITR-AP at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, 6-16 July 2025, UNESCO Head Quarters, Paris.

Finally, participants shared further information and discussed contribution and participation in the 3rd Mondiacult follow up meeting in Barcelona in September 2025, in the Ibero-American UNESCO Chairs and heritage conservation workshop organized at The Maule University, Chile on the last week of October and in the ICOMOS Annual General Assembly, Advisory Committee meetings and Scientific Symposium in Lumbini, Nepal, organized by ICOMOS Nepal from 11 to 19 October 2025.

Rich in thoughtful ideas, the 4th Technical Meeting worked fully as a networking platform and a forum to develop new projects and incentives.