On July 22, 2024 Summer School on Smart Cities was successfully concluded. President ZHANG Dayu attended the closing ceremony and delivered a speech. Vice President YANG Jianwei, ISPRS Student Consortium, representatives from various institutions and departments of BUCEA, and teachers and students of the summer school all attended the event.

President ZHANG Dayu addressing the speech

On behalf of BUCEA and BRAUIC, President ZHANG Dayu firstly congratulated the students and volunteers who had completed the program, and extended gratitude to the experts, scholars, teachers and staff who had participated in the Summer School.

Representatives of Chinese and foreign students sharing their learning gains and experiences

Vice President YANG Jianwei presenting certificates of completion to representatives of Summer School participants

Laxmi Thapa, President of ISPRS Student Consortium, awarding certificates of honor to outstanding volunteers

The 9-day summer school program, including 10 academic presentations, 5 architectural and landscape design scenarios experiences, and a variety of hands-on activities, enabled Chinese and foreign teachers and students to have a deeper and a more comprehensive understanding of the construction and management of smart cities in the context of globalization.

Chinese and foreign scholars giving academic presentations

Chinese and foreign teachers and students sharing their views

Chinese and foreign students taking a broad range of practical courses

Chinese and foreign students and teachers having fun at the get-together

The 3rd BRAUIC Young Scholars Forum

During the summer school, the 3rd BRAUIC Young Scholars Forum was held concurrently. Under the theme of “Youth Connectivity for a Shared Future”, the forum was attended by about 50 young teachers and students from 11 Chinese and foreign universities.

While hosting the Summer School program, BUCEA also had in-depth exchanges with Ningbo University, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Nanchang University, and Xuzhou University of Technology on the joint cultivation of international talents and the construction and implementation of BRAUIC.

Summer School volunteers

First launched in 2016, the 2024 Summer School on Smart Cities has attracted outstanding teaching resources and invited renowned scholars at home and abroad to give lectures. In so doing, it has enabled Chinese and overseas youngsters to understand how traditional Chinese culture is passed on and evolves in Chinese architecture and learn about the innovation and advancement of modern intelligent construction technology.

Testimonials from Summer School students:

I am really grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful program this summer, where we were able to draw valuable insights and appreciate ancient Chinese architecture in academic presentations and seminars led by distinguished experts from various fields while also making new friends from around the world. I’d like to thank Department of International Exchanges and Cooperation (School of International Education, BUCEA) for organizing this event and I hope to see you all again one day!

--Chuikova Valeriia, Undergraduate student majoring in Architecture, Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Russia

I have been looking forward to participating in the Summer School on Smart Cities. This experience has once again verified my perception of Chinese friends – friendly, easy-going, resilient, and conscientious. I am grateful that this program gave me a unique opportunity to visit China, an experience that is crucial for my future career path.

--Dzhavatkhanov Azamat, Undergraduate student majoring in Architectural Environment Design, Saint-Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Russia

With 6 years of study and life experience in China, I am very grateful to China and BUCEA for its openness and inclusiveness in welcoming international students to come to study, experience, and participate in the social development of China and the world, and to be a messenger and promoter of Sino-foreign friendship.

--Caezar Al Fajr Nirwana, International student of Indonesian nationality, Xuzhou University of Technology, China

This is my first time coming to China, and everything here is completely different from my hometown of Tyumen, Russia. The lush vegetation on campus, the well-designed buildings and libraries deeply fascinate me. I am very grateful for all the opportunities provided by BUCEA: learning new knowledge about architecture, exploring Chinese culture, getting enlightened by the insights of outstanding scholars and architects, and making friends from all over the world.

--Elistratova Viktoriia, 2nd year undergraduate student majoring in Architectural and Environmental Design, Industrial University of Tyumen, Russia

We spent a wonderful time at BUCEA and we are grateful to the volunteers and teachers. They were very kind and friendly, and always helped us whenever we faced any difficulties. I’m glad I chose this summer school and had wonderful memories here.

--Aizirek Turgunbaeva, PERSPECTIVE Educational Center, Kyrgyzstan

Testimonials from Summer School volunteers:

It was a great honor to participate in the summer school as a volunteer. Each activity has allowed our foreign friends to better appreciate Beijing and traditional Chinese culture. I feel really lucky to meet them. Although we are from different lands, we share the same universe. Although we may be separated by vast mountains and rivers, we still share deep and long-lasting friendship.

--DENG Qingyong, Graduate student, School of Economics and Management Engineering, BUCEA

I am very grateful that this summer school has given us the opportunity to exchange and learn with students from around the world and make new friends. During the activities, I have gained a lot - from initially feeling shy when interacting with foreign students, to actively introducing the people and things around me to help them solve problems, to eventually integrating in the class. This volunteering opportunity has not only helped improve my English speaking, but also broadened my international perspective.

--XIE Qianlong, Graduate student, School of Geomatics and Urban Spatial Informatics, BUCEA

In my interactions with domestic and foreign friends, I have learned that diverse regions shape different groups of people that observe unique customs and cultural traditions. Here, I sincerely thank the teachers who organized this event and allowed me to have this unforgettable experience.

--HAN Yunrui, Graduate student, School of Electrical and Information Engineering, BUCEA

I feel deeply honored to have been able to participate as a volunteer in the summer school event. I am truly grateful for this precious experience, which allows me to not only embrace the beauty of Beijing in summer, but also the warmth and diversity of the world.

--WANG Yilei, Undergraduate student, School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, BUCEA

In the summer school, I not only learned theoretical knowledge in various fields of architectural engineering through academic lectures, but also deepened my understanding of the history of our country’s Chinese culture and traditional architectural techniques through hands-on practice. What is even more commendable is that I have made new friends and broadened my international vision as we learn together.

--LIU Yichang, Undergraduate student, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, BUCEA