The opening ceremony of the Fourth BUCEA International Summer School was held on the afternoon of August 3. 309 students and teachers from the Belt and Road Architectural University International Consortium and Mechanical Education Union of Excellent Engineers from 12 universities of 14 countries attended the ceremony hosted by Prof. Chen Tao, Deputy Dean of International Development Research Institute (School of International Education).

Prof. Jiang Jie, Executive Deanr of International Development Research Institute (School of International Education), delivered her congratulations in her speech to the successful opening of the Fourth International Summer School that turned online this year due to the pandemic. She welcomed students, teachers and friends from different countries and regions and gave a brief introduction of the history, advantages and features of BUCEA and teachers for this year’s International Summer School. In the end, she extended her wishes for a complete success of this online International Summer School and a meaningful and happy holiday to the students.

Associate Professor Marko Vilotic from the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, a member of the Belt and Road Architectural University International Consortium, addressed at the ceremony as a teacher representative. He hoped that the students could learn and make friends and hoped that the International Summer School could become the starting point for the two universities to carry out in-depth cooperation. Ji Yuting from Water 163 Class of China-America Cooperation 2+2 Project made a speech on behalf of all students. She expressed gratitude to the selfless devotions of the university and teachers. She said that the students would keep learning and continue to progress during the pandemic and she believed that we will embrace the final victory soon.

This online International Summer School of BUCEA was organized by International Development Research Institute (School of International Education) and Academic Studies Office, during which a series of academic lectures will be given on advantageous majors of BUCEA such as Architectural Studies and Civil Engineering. Overseas high-level talents from good universities around the world have been invited, including Giuliano Panza, Academician of the Academy of Europe, Ahmed Shaker, Professor of Ryerson University in Canada, Demin Feng, Lead Researcher of Fujita Industry, Professor Liu Shaoyu, top academic expert and practitioner in the field of sustainable architecture, Professor Dai Qingli of Michigan Technological University in the U.S., and excellent young talents of BUCEA Shan Xiaowei, Nie Jinzhe and Liu Ranbin. These experts in different fields will give presentations concerning topics that the students are generally interested in and concerned about in the wise and leading-edge academic atmosphere.

In the two academic lectures on the first day, Academician Panza and Professor Demin Feng shared with the students on the topics of NDSHA: A New Paradigm for Reliable Seismic Hazard Assessment and Post 311 East Japan Earthquake Technological Solutions respectively.

After the first day’s study and exchanges, Armanda, an international student has been to China several times said, “This special online Summer School brings novel and unprecedented experience. I will get to know about the current status and development of green architecture in China and the world, and understand the challenges faced by the mankind and the responsibilities for creating a better world.” Teodora Lazovic from University of Novi Sad, Serbia thought these lectures were all easy to follow, meaningful and attractive. Wang Meiqi, a student from School of Electromechanical and Vehicle Engineering, said that “although the lectures were given in English, the students showed no lack of enthusiasm and asked professors questions in English. I’ve got a lot harvest on the very first day of the school, and I can’t wait to attend the following lectures.”

This International Summer School will last five days and hold eight high-level academic lectures. The students are divided into seven classes for group discussions and completion report.