On the morning of June 23, 2025, the launch ceremony of Chengdu University of Technology’s “Heavenly Craftsmanship” World Heritage and Science Education Practice Base—approved by the Ministry of Education—and the opening ceremony of the 2025 International Summer School were grandly held on campus. Xie Kun, Member of the Standing Party Committee and Director of the United Front Work Department of CDUT, attended the ceremony and delivered a speech on behalf of the university. The event was jointly organized by the Department of International Exchange & Cooperation and the College of International Education (Oxford Brookes College). Lang Xianguo, Director of the Department and Party Secretary of the College, along with other university leaders and guests, were present. Attendees included Prof. Cruz Elías Ibadango Anrrango, Dean of the School of Geology, Mining, and Environment at Central University of Ecuador, and more than 30 international students from countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, including France, Ecuador, and Pakistan. The ceremony was hosted by Dean Li Shan of the College of International Education (Oxford Brookes College).
Leaders and students at the ceremony
In his opening address, Director Xie Kun warmly welcomed the guests and students and expressed his sincere gratitude. He gave a comprehensive overview of CDUT’s rich history, its academic strengths, and achievements in international education. He emphasized the university’s firm commitment to an open and inclusive approach to global engagement, its ongoing efforts to build a comprehensive and multi-tiered international cooperation network, and its dedication to providing students with a platform to broaden their global vision and access top-tier academic resources. He noted that this year’s International Summer School marks a significant milestone in the university’s strategy to enhance international exchanges and cultivate globally competent talent.
Address by Xie Kun, Member of the Standing Party Committee and Director of the United Front Work Department of CDUT
At the opening session, Dean Li Shan introduced the two core themes of this year’s summer school: World Cultural Heritage and Science Popularization Practice and AI-Driven Sustainable Urban Development. Over the six-week program, students from around the world will engage in immersive experiences exploring the richness of China’s intangible cultural heritage, delving into the streets and landscapes of Sichuan, and gaining a deeper understanding of its unique local culture. In addition, students will explore cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence in sustainable energy and other frontier fields—gaining insight into the latest scientific developments through the lens of global diversity and technological innovation.
Matthew David Ryan, Executive Dean of Oxford Brookes College (foreign side), spoke highly of the university’s achievements in international education and expressed his hope that the summer school and the practice base would further deepen international collaboration between the two institutions. Student representative Carolina Del Rocio Montero Calderon from Central University of Ecuador expressed her heartfelt appreciation for China’s support during the pandemic and her anticipation for stronger ties between the two nations, as well as her excitement for the summer school experience.
Remarks by Matthew David Ryan, Executive Dean of Oxford Brookes College (foreign side)
The “Heavenly Craftsmanship: World Heritage and Science Popularization Practice Base” was recently selected as a featured project site under the “Sensing China” brand by the China Scholarship Council. The base leverages key platforms such as the Chengdu Natural History Museum, the State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, the State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, and CDUT’s Center for Scientific and Technological Archaeology. Drawing upon the rich world heritage resources of Sichuan and Guizhou, the program integrates scientific practice, cultural experience, and ecological conservation into a cohesive learning journey. International students will conduct field research at world heritage sites, engage in science communication and innovation practices, and exchange ideas across cultures, igniting intellectual sparks and global dialogue. CDUT sees the development of the practice base and the hosting of the international summer school as strategic opportunities to further strengthen global partnerships, expand its international influence, and nurture talent with a global perspective, scientific spirit, and humanistic sensibility. No matter the challenges ahead, we remain true to our mission, unwavering in our pursuit. In a time of change, we embrace innovation and seize the moment.、
Group photo
