On the afternoon of July 22, Zijingang Auditorium came alive with the vibrant opening ceremony of the Zhejiang University 2024 SDG Global Summer School. This year’s gathering has drawn 653 exceptional young students from 51 countries and regions worldwide, all eager to immerse themselves in the rich and diverse culture of Zhejiang University.
The air was teeming with the enchanting melodies of the Department of Public Physical and Art Education and the Graduate Student Arts Troupe, heralding the commencement of the 2024 Global Summer School. The traditional Chinese pipa entwined with the Western violin, allowing the participants to revel in the beautiful collision and fusion of Chinese and foreign arts.
In the opening speech, Dr. Charity Tinofirei, Head of Operations in the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, based in Beijing, emphasized that the Zhejiang University Global Summer School focuses on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the theme of “SDGs for a Shared Future.” She further stressed that these goals serve as a compass guiding our shared global efforts towards a more equitable and prosperous world and that these goals are not merely aspirations, but they are also the urgent call of our times, demanding action from every corner of society.
Professor CHENG Peng, Executive Deputy Dean of the College of Control Science and Engineering at Zhejiang University, spoke as a faculty representative. He pointed out that Hangzhou is a place where history meets innovation. With technological innovations like artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things comes industrial transformation and other complex problems yet to be solved. He encouraged the participants to take on responsibilities and make the most of the multidisciplinary learning platform of the Summer School, working together, sharing ideas, and learning from each other to drive positive change and create a sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for all.
As the first onsite SDG Global Summer School held by Zhejiang University since the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s summer school extends its academic embrace to 18 diverse modules, spanning the realms of information technology, big data, environmental science, cognitive health, electrical engineering, marine science, literature, food safety, and life sciences. Each course aligns with multiple SDGs, including Goals 1, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 17, guiding young minds to become the advocates, builders, and propellers of a sustainable future. This event is not only a journey into the heart of Zhejiang’s rich cultural heritage but also a crucible of interdisciplinary dialogue. The participants engage in vibrant discussions, nurture enduring friendships, and plant the seeds of collaborative innovation.
The 3rd Global Summer School brings together luminaries and scholars from over 40 top-tier universities across the globe, including Zhejiang University, Harvard University, the University of Toronto, the University of Cambridge, the National University of Singapore, the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Seoul National University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the University of Macau. Together, they create a fully integrated classroom and an enriching, diverse learning experience for each and every participant.
source：3rd Zhejiang University SDG Global Summer School kicks off! (zju.edu.cn)
