The College of Art and Design sent 11 students and one faculty leader to primary and secondary schools in Yutian County, Xinjiang, as part of TUST's sixth volunteer teaching group for western China. The 12-member team supported education and cultural programs through art and design.

During the program, faculty and students taught art, Chinese language and classes featuring intangible cultural heritage. They also participated in campus cultural activities and created three themed murals with support from other members of the teaching group. One mural showed buildings from Tianjin and Xinjiang with children of different ethnic groups; another combined the Haihe River and Kunlun Mountains with landmarks from both regions; and the third depicted the Great Wall, reflecting local children's interest in seeing it.

The program gave students teaching and community-service experience. One graduating undergraduate was admitted to the University Student Volunteer Service Program for Western China and chose to remain in Xinjiang for further grassroots service.

The college has sent faculty and students to volunteer teaching programs in Xinjiang for several years. It reports that both the number of participants and the participation rate rank first among TUST units.

The college plans to continue the program and use art education to support schools in Xinjiang while giving art and design students opportunities for public service.