The 2025 Spring School on Frontiers and Interdisciplinary Sciences for International Students in IC-UCAS (herein after referred to as “the Spring School” ), organized by the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) ，hosted by Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study (UCAS-HIAS), and supported by the Organization Department of Xihu District Committee and the Yunqi Town Administrative Committee successfully concluded by picturesque lakeside of Tongjian Lake in Hangzhou. This 6-day-long academic and cultural event brought together 46 international students from 11 countries along the Belt and Road. They embarked on a profound journey to explore interdisciplinary science and deepen cross-cultural exchanges, engaging in in-depth dialogues on the theme “From Knowledge to Understanding, From Science to Civilization.” This not only expanded their understanding of the scientific world but also built a solid bridge for cross-cultural communication amid diverse cultural interactions.
The spring school centered on cutting-edge science, offering courses across disciplines including Computer Science and Technology, Electronic Science and Technology, Quantum Cosmo Physics and Space Science, Biology, and Chemistry, fully showcasing the charm of interdisciplinary integration. By integrating top academic resources from China and abroad and combining technological visits with cultural activities, it created an unforgettable learning journey that seamlessly merged knowledge acquisition with practical exploration for international students.
Through these interactions, students not only witnessed the deep integration of artificial intelligence and engineering but also gained insights into how different robotic dog models are applied in specific scenarios, such as logistics delivery and scientific exploration. The hands-on experience highlighted the practical value of interdisciplinary innovation, bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world technological applications.
At the closing ceremony, WU Yueliang, the Member of CAS, Academic Vice President of UCAS, and Dean of IC-UCAS, delivered the keynote speech “Unifying General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics for Quanta to Cosmos Physics”. Drawing on his profound expertise, he systematically reviewed the fundamental laws of nature and prospected the significance of super-unified field theory in understanding cosmic origins. After the lecture, WU awarded certificates to students, marking the conclusion of their learning journey, which created unforgettable memories for them during the springtime.
UCAS-HIAS Professor GENG Chaoqiang, Executive Dean of the School of Basic Physics and Mathematical Sciences, kicked off the school with the first lecture, “The Beauty of Quantum Cosmos Physics”, guiding students through frontier science subjects such as fundamental particles, dark matter, dark energy, gravitational waves, and black holes. This allowed them to systematically appreciate the beauty of particle-cosmic physics spanning from the microcosmic to the macrocosmic.
Visiting Professor YU Hongwei delivered a lecture on “What is Quantum Vacuum”, tracing the theoretical evolution of humanity’s understanding of vacuum and addressing key questions such as the observational effects of vacuum quantum fluctuations and whether the universe’s origin relates to vacuum dynamics.
Visiting Professor XING Zhizhong’s lecture “Invisible but Predictable” dissected core physical propositions in the world of elementary particles, from the mass origin in the Standard Model to dark matter candidates.
Scholars including Anna Tokareva from Russia, Roman Pasechnik from Switzerland, and Chinese researchers LUO Ziren, ZHOU Yeling, and TANG Yong also shared insights on quantum vacuum, the Taiji Program, particle unification theory, and dark matter evolution.
Beyond scientific exploration, the spring school emphasized humanistic education, designing cultural courses and artistic experiences to help students understand “future narratives in the Chinese context.” Professor AN Rongquan, advisor to the Hangzhou People’s Municipal Government, delivered a speech on “The Charm of Hangzhou City”, highlighting the city’s historical heritage and innovative ecosystem.
Students also visited the “Black Myth: Wukong” Digital Art Exhibition at the China Academy of Art, where ancient mythology was recreated through digital technology, blending 3D modeling, dynamic projections, and interactive installations. The exhibition’s integration of Dunhuang murals and Dazu rock carvings with modern game design demonstrated how technology revitalizes cultural heritage, impressing upon students the amazing fusion of innovation and tradition.
During the Spring School, students also actively contributed to cultural exchange alongside academic learning.
The Spring School prepared multiple student-led activities, including theme salons where Chinese and foreign students enthusiastically shared research experiences in subjects like physics and photonics, intelligent technology, life sciences and ecology and environmental science. These salons and cross-cultural interactions presented an opportunity for students with different cultural backgrounds to speak aloud their own thoughts and sparked heated discussion on different subjects, fostering their mutual understanding.
In addition, group presentations allowed students to interpret the youth’s understanding on science and global issues from angles of innovation, culture, and philosophy in a unique way. At the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere created by “2050 Flavors of Hundred Cities” and the “2050 Night”, students shared their thoughts freely and established a deep and sincere friendship with Chinese scientific and technological youth despite linguistic and national boundaries.
The success of the Spring School relied on the excellent educational resources and cultural heritage of HIAS-UCAS, embodying the philosophy of “integration of education, science, technology, and talent cultivation” in international education. In the future, IC-UCAS will continue to leverage education programs like the Series Schools to further integrate science with culture, strive to build a globally influential hub gathering young talents and encouraging exchanges, and cultivate more young talent with global horizons, innovative spirits, and cross-cultural communication capabilities.
Source: IC-UCAS
Editor: GAO Yuan
