From July 7 to July 20, 2025, the School of Environmental Science and Engineering at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) successfully hosted the 2025 HIT Global Summer School (2025 HITGSS) titled “Arctic Environment and Ecosystem: Carbon Emissions and Carbon Cycling in High-Latitude Regions under Climate Change.” A total of 39 students participated in the program—24 domestic students from institutions including HIT, Fudan University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University of Science and Technology of China, and Shandong University, as well as 15 international students from Russia, Mexico, Uzbekistan, South Korea, and South Africa.
The summer school featured distinguished faculty and experts in Arctic ecology and environmental science, including Professor Li Yifan, Academician of the Norwegian Academy of Polar Research; Dr. Danilova Sakhayana Nikolaevna from Northeastern Federal University (Russia); and scholars from HIT, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Heilongjiang Meteorological Bureau. Through a comprehensive mix of lectures, specialized seminars, hands-on experiments, group discussions, and field practices, participants deepened their understanding of Arctic ecosystems, cultivated research interests, and enhanced their teamwork and academic communication skills.
Opening Ceremony
On the morning of July 7, the opening ceremony of the 2025 HITGSS was held in Room B212 of the Main Building at HIT’s Second Campus. Professor Wang Wei, Vice Dean of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting HIT’s achievements in discipline development, academic training, and scientific research—with particular emphasis on the School’s groundbreaking work in Arctic environmental pollution studies.
Lectures and Courses
The program offered a core course―Pollution in Arctic Ecological Environments―alongside a series of specialized lectures presenting the latest advances and frontier issues in Arctic environmental science. Designed to accommodate students from non-environmental backgrounds, the curriculum adopted a progressive, case-driven pedagogical approach, ensuring accessibility while maintaining academic rigor. Through inquiry-based teaching methods, students were encouraged to think critically and develop a deeper grasp of cutting-edge scientific questions.
Practical Projects
A robust practical component complemented the theoretical instruction, comprising 8 hours of on-campus laboratory sessions, 8 hours of off-campus fieldwork, and multiple group discussions, all jointly supervised by HIT faculty and senior industry engineers.
The on-campus lab sessions focused on “Pollutant Detection Methods in Multi-Media Environments of the Arctic and Cold Regions.” Students learned standardized protocols for sampling, pretreatment, and instrumental analysis of atmospheric, soil, dust, and personal care product samples. The lab was divided into three rotating groups to ensure hands-on experience for all participants.
Fieldwork took participants to the Longfengshan Regional Atmospheric Background Monitoring Station in Wuchang, Heilongjiang Province—one of only three such stations operated by the China Meteorological Administration. During the one-day visit, students observed operational monitoring systems, learned about equipment maintenance, and practiced sampling techniques for background atmospheric pollutants.
Throughout the program, students participated in structured group discussions. Divided into eight teams—each with a designated team leader—they selected research topics, conducted literature reviews, prepared course reports, and developed presentation materials in preparation for final group presentations.
Graduation Ceremony
On the afternoon of July 18, all eight groups delivered presentations in Room B413 of the Main Building on the Second Campus of HIT, showcasing their learning outcomes and project findings. Following the presentations, a graduation ceremony was held. A student representative shared reflections on the transformative two-week experience, and all participants received official certificates of completion.
Closing Remarks
Beyond academics, the 2025 HITGSS enriched participants’ cultural and institutional understanding through visits to HIT’s University History Museum, Aerospace Museum, and the State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment. These activities provided insights into HIT’s legacy, scientific stature, and leadership in environmental research in China. Weekend excursions—including ecological field trips and city tours—allowed students to explore Harbin’s natural landscapes and urban culture at their leisure.
By integrating rigorous academics, experiential learning, and cross-cultural exchange, the 2025 HIT Global Summer School (2025 HITGSS) on Arctic Environment and Ecosystem offered a profoundly rewarding experience. Participants not only gained up-to-date knowledge of Arctic environmental systems and research frontiers but also built lasting friendships and mentorship connections—concluding their summer with intellectual growth, global perspectives, and unforgettable memories.
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审核：吴婉琼