South China University of Technology (SCUT) launched its second International Summer School on Emerging Engineering Education on July 7 at its Guangzhou International Campus. The opening ceremony welcomed 120 international students and 16 faculty members from 25 partner universities worldwide, who will join SCUT students for the program. SCUT President Tang Hongwu attended and addressed the ceremony, which was presided over by Li Weiqing, Deputy Secretary of the CPC SCUT Committee and Vice President.

In his welcome address, President Tang Hongwu extended a warm welcome to the international participants. He highlighted SCUT's history and achievements, noting its leading role in higher education within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area—a hub of China's reform and opening-up. He encouraged the visitors to experience the unique blend of tradition and modernity, technology and industry, and dynamic energy found here. President Tang expressed his hope that during the two-week program, students would deepen their expertise through interactive learning and gain an immersive experience of Chinese culture. He also urged all participants to build lasting friendships, foster cross-cultural understanding, and contribute to a shared future for humanity.

Speaking as a faculty representative, Professor Lu Shaofeng emphasized the summer school's commitment to inclusivity, bringing together students from diverse backgrounds and regions. He mentioned that the program extends beyond academics, offering international students opportunities to sample local cuisine and explore Chinese culture. These experiences, he explained, aim to leave a lasting impression of Lingnan culture and lay the groundwork for future collaboration.

Faculty from the Wu Bin College of Engineering are actively involved in this international teaching exchange. Professors Lu Shaofeng, Chen Gang, and Li Yunquan will co-teach the course Artificial Intelligence and High-end Manufacture. This course is designed to systematically introduce international students to cutting-edge developments and trends in AI, soft robotics, and smart factories, showcasing the college's academic strength and global vision in these fields.

The college upholds internationalization as a core strategic focus, promoting both internationalization at home and two-way internationalization to expand its global network and exchanges. It has established SCUT's first Ministry of Education International Cooperation Joint Laboratory on the Guangzhou International Campus—the International Joint Laboratory of Human-Centric AI and Equipment Systems—and the SCUT-University of Canterbury International Joint Laboratory for Smart Healthcare Automation. These platforms focus on pioneering research in core algorithms for human-centric AI and their applications in smart healthcare and manufacturing. Additionally, the college successfully hosted the inaugural Super Robot international conference, gathering over ten Chinese and international academicians, alongside experts, scholars, and students from nearly 100 global institutions to discuss the future of AI and robotics. The college is also advancing the IET international accreditation for its undergraduate programs to enhance the global recognition of its talent development initiatives.

Looking ahead, the college will use this summer school as a springboard to further deepen international cooperation. It plans to expand collaborative areas and leverage high-level platforms like the joint laboratories to advance scientific research, collaborative education, and faculty exchanges, thereby contributing to enhancing SCUT's global reputation and influence.