The opening ceremony for the "2014 Summer School for Frontier and Interdisciplinary Sciences" was held at 8 am on June 19 at the UCAS Zhongguancun campus. UCAS Vice-President Prof. Wu Yueliang, Prof. Wan Yun from the University of Houston, and Prof. Karin Birte Svensson from the Technical University of Denmark attended the ceremony which was hosted by Prof. Hu Zhengyi, Director of the Sino-Danish College (SDC).
Prof. Wu explained that the 2014 Summer School for Frontier and Interdisciplinary Sciences at the International College of UCAS (IC-UCAS) is an innovative training project for Frontier and Interdisciplinary Sciences for international doctoral candidates which has been co-founded by IC-UCAS, SDC and the CAS-TWAS President's Fellowship Program. Professors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, the University of Houston, Technical University, Aarhus University of Denmark, and various Institutes of CAS present cutting-edge theories and research methods concerning the Life Sciences, the Environmental Sciences and Material Science during ten day Summer School. In addition to the lectures, laboratory visits have been scheduled.
Prof. Wu emphasized the importance of scientific research for global development. He reminded the students that "no matter how much progress and success you've made, you need to keep on making scientific research, sharing your valuable experiences and learning from others". He also expressed his gratitude to all of the professors who shared their valuable time to join the young scholars and the staff of IC-UCAS and SDC, all of whom provide outstanding instructional resources and logistical supports. Prof. Wu wished the Summer School much success.
Prof. Svensson from the Technology University of Denmark congratulated the opening of the Summer School expressing her confidence that the international graduate students will promote the development of frontier and interdisciplinary sciences.
During an interview after the opening ceremony, Prof. Wu mentioned that all the students who attended this Summer School were financially supported with regard to transportation, tuition and lunch. Unlike summer schools which solely offer language lessons, the IC-UCAS Summer School combines various subjects together, providing a totally different experience for the graduate students. They will attend courses taught by leading international researchers and visit State Key laboratories. He hoped that this kind of program might be held in winter breaks as well, if possible.
By Tan Yudong
About the IC-UCAS Summer School
The "Frontier and Interdisciplinary Sciences Summer School" is held from June 19 to 28. It brings the research capabilities of UCAS into full play, to accelerate the internationalization of IC-UCAS, to create an international academic atmosphere and foster English instruction of international students in IC-UCAS. Graduate students attending the Summer School are from the CAS-TWAS President's Fellowship Program, as well as doctoral candidates from SDC and from various institutes of CAS. The guest professors include two CAS members, 3 National Outstanding Young Scientists and 9 international professors. The Summer School shows the comprehensive strengths of the International College. The "Frontier and Interdisciplinary Sciences Summer School" is expected to become an international brand of education.
