On August 10, 2026, the 2026 International Summer School in Geosciences, jointly organized by the School of Earth Sciences, the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and the School of International Cultural Exchange, came to a successful conclusion. Held from July 20 to August 10 under the theme "Exploring Geological Diversity, Advancing Resource Sustainability", the summer school attracted 23 international participants from three countries: the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The program was structured in three phases—on-campus theoretical training, field practice, and academic thematic sessions—integrating theoretical lectures, laboratory exercises, field investigations, and cultural experiences. It provided a high-level platform for geoscience exchange among Chinese and international youth and effectively promoted academic mutual learning and collaborative cooperation in the field of geosciences.
In-depth Academic Training: Building a Solid Theoretical Foundation in Geosciences
On July 21, the opening ceremony of the International Summer School in Geosciences was successfully held. Hu Zehui, Deputy Party Secretary and Associate Dean of the School of Earth Sciences, Wang Xin, Associate Dean of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and He Junwen, Associate Dean of the School of International Cultural Exchange, attended the ceremony and delivered speeches. The leaders extended a warm welcome to the international participants and encouraged them to seize this valuable opportunity for academic growth—to deepen their professional knowledge, broaden their academic horizons, and enhance mutual understanding and exchange between China and other countries. Associate Prof. Wang Ronghua provided a detailed introduction to the overall itinerary, academic arrangements, and disciplinary requirements of the summer school. Ms. Wu Wanpei from the School of International Cultural Exchange systematically presented an overview of Chinese national conditions and culture, the urban landscape of Lanzhou, and policies for studying in China, helping participants quickly adapt to their study and life in China.
From July 21 to 25, campus visit activities were carried out in an orderly manner. Participants successively visited the University History Museum, the Electron Microscopy Center, the Paleomagnetism Laboratory, the Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources in Western China, and the Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education). Through these visits, they gained an immersive understanding of Lanzhou University's century-long educational heritage and its scholarly spirit rooted in Northwest China, and directly experienced the university's well-established research platforms, advanced instruments and equipment, and strong disciplinary strengths in the geosciences.
To bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world cognition, the program organized off‑campus study visits to the Gansu Geological Museum, the Gansu Provincial Museum, and Baitashan (White Pagoda Hill) Park. During these field visits, participants explored the Silk Road civilization, gained an appreciation for the profound history of the Longyuan region, and experienced firsthand the intertwined relationship between geological and geomorphological evolution and the development of human culture.
Field Practice: Exploring the Geological Landscapes of Longyuan
Guided by the disciplinary philosophy of "integrating knowledge and practice", the summer school organized a specialized field excursion to southern Gansu (Gannan) and Longnan from July 27 to 31. Under the full‑time guidance of university faculty, the 23 international participants visited typical geological areas including Sangke Grassland, Zhagana National Geopark, and Guanegou National Geopark. They conducted on‑site observations of the ecological characteristics of plateau cold‑arid zones, rock deformation structures, and canyon landform development patterns, closely linking theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom with real‑world field conditions, and effectively honing their skills in field geological observation, identification, and investigation.
This field study integrated both professional scientific exploration and cultural experiences. Participants visited the Longnan Museum, Huanjiazhuang Traditional Village, the Green Digital Mine of Jinhui Group, and the Jinhui Distillery, gaining systematic understanding of Longnan's regional history and culture, observing the achievements of green and intelligent mining practices at close range, and genuinely experiencing local folk customs and the development landscape of characteristic industries. This multi‑dimensional exploration successfully integrated geological research, ecological conservation, and regional culture.
Academic Empowerment: Exploring Pathways to Resource Sustainability
From August 3 to 8, the summer school entered its academic lecture phase. Eleven renowned Chinese and international experts—including Professors Yuan Daoyang, Peter Clift, He Chuansheng, Dai Shuang, Wang Xuejia, and Guo Xuelian, as well as Youth Research Fellow Wang Bin—along with five doctoral students, delivered lectures. The curriculum covered cutting‑edge directions such as structural geology, environmental geology, economic geology, paleoecology, climate change, and sustainable development, closely aligning with global trends in geoscience research and the core theme of sustainable resource utilization. The content was both professional, forward‑looking, and practically oriented.
The series of expert lectures provided participants with a high-level academic exchange platform, effectively broadening their research horizons. On the afternoon of August 8, after the conclusion of the courses, ten international participants and teaching assistant representatives took turns sharing their learning experiences and reflections, exchanging academic insights, discussing research questions, and outlining their future plans. Through this intellectual exchange, they deepened their professional understanding and forged academic consensus.
On August 9, the closing ceremony of the International Summer School in Geosciences was held. Prof. Dai Shuang, Associate Dean of the School of Earth Sciences, attended the closing ceremony and, together with Associate Prof. Wang Ronghua, presented certificates of completion to all participating students. Associate Prof. Wang Ronghua provided a comprehensive review and summary of all the summer school activities, outlining the achievements of each phase and fully affirming the participants' diligent and exploratory academic spirit.
This summer school integrated high-quality teaching and research resources to establish a comprehensive, multi-level international geoscience education system. It not only helped international participants systematically acquire professional geoscience knowledge and appreciate the unique geological and ecological features of western China, but also fully demonstrated the comprehensive strengths of Lanzhou University's geoscience disciplines. The program effectively facilitated exchange channels among Chinese and international youth, laying a solid foundation for deepening transnational academic cooperation, advancing the internationalization of geoscience disciplines, and promoting the green and sustainable utilization of geological resources.
