To further enhance international competitiveness, deepen the integration of soft matter science courses with international education, broaden students' global perspectives, the School of Emergent Soft Matter held the 5th Summer School on Soft Matter Science and Engineering in the summer of 2026. From July 14 to August 5, over ten distinguished professors from world-renowned universities came to the Guangzhou International Campus of South China University of Technology and delivered diverse knowledge and frontier theories to undergraduate students.
The curriculum covered major research directions in soft matter, including fundamental topics such as nanostructures, phase structures, polymer crystallization, gels, and metal cluster structures; applications such as liquid crystals, bio-based macromolecules, green polymers, biomedical materials, stimuli-responsive materials, ferroelectric and dielectric materials, batteries and capacitors, optoelectronic devices, and carbon dioxide conversion; and characterization techniques including neutron scattering and electron microscopy. The program not only consolidated students' foundational knowledge in soft matter but also introduced the latest international research advancements in relevant fields.
The summer school adopted a learning model combining pre-class preparation, lectures, interactive Q&A, and post-class review, enabling students to achieve comprehensive improvement in multiple dimensions, including breadth of knowledge, construction of knowledge systems, cross-cultural communication, problem-solving skills, and research interest and capacity development. It was undoubtedly a rare and valuable experience for undergraduate students in their academic careers.
The successful holding of the summer school further enhanced the international education level of the School of Soft Matter Science and Engineering and provided important support for cultivating top-tier scientific talents meeting international standards. It also promoted international exchange and development in the field of soft matter, striving to bring new breakthroughs to the advancement of soft matter science and technology in China.