Global Summer School 2021 Closing Ceremony held online

On July 6, the closing ceremony of the Tsinghua University (also a member of the Global MOOC Alliance) Global Summer School 2021 (GSS2021) was held, bringing to an end the special 9-day online program. Professor Li Jinliang, Dean of International Affairs and Professor of the School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University and Mr. Nikhil Seth, Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) delivered closing remarks. The closing ceremony was hosted by Mr. John Paul Grima from the Office of International Affairs of Tsinghua University.

Professor Li Jinliang, Dean of International Affairs and Professor of the School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University, delivering closing remarks

In his remarks, Professor Li Jinliang pointed out three keywords – social responsibility, innovation and interdisciplinary – to highlight this year’s Tsinghua Global Summer School. The mission of GSS is to bring world-wide talents together to inspire action on critical global issues by engaging in rich course content and interactive activities. Professor Li hoped that the GSS program provided students with an opportunity to enhance their global vision and leadership, to enable them to greater understand the interconnected challenges and opportunities facing our world.

To close, Professor Li Jinliang sincerely welcomed all Summer School participants to come to China, Beijing and Tsinghua University – to explore future study or research opportunities through the University’s diverse English-taught master’s programs, exchange student programs or visiting scholar positions, after the COVID-19 pandemic situation is stabilized.

Mr. Nikhil Seth, Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and chair of the Advisory Committee of the Geneva Tsinghua Initiative delivering remarks at the closing ceremony

Mr. Nikhil Seth, Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), chair of the Advisory Committee of the Geneva Tsinghua Initiative congratulated all participating students for completing the 9-day summer school learning journey and the SDG Hackathon. “At UNITAR we are committed to promoting the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals since their adoption in 2015. Young people are essential in this mission and I am very glad to see a thousand young students around the world contributing their ideas and solutions to support the SDGs”, remarked Mr. Nikhil Seth. On behalf of UNITAR, Mr. Nikhil Seth expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the student innovators, speakers, mentors, organizers, and volunteers.

Mr. Nikhil Seth emphasized that the SDG hackathon is not only an important event of creativity and innovation, but also a platform for dialogue to contribute wisdom and solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals. In a hackathon, hundreds of students, faculty members, and corporate executives can come together to achieve impactful innovation and jointly tackle global sustainability challenges. Mr. Nikhil Seth also stressed UNITAR’s strong support of the promotion of SDG open hacks in more colleges and universities in China and around the world: “I urge everyone to take this opportunity and engage in the process of co-creation for the SDGs, taking their innovations further. We have an ambitious vision to educate more young innovators, willing to make a difference.”

Professor Li Jizhen, Associate Dean of the School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University and Representative Professor of the Global Summer School SDG Hackathon announced the SDG Hack team awards.

This year’s Global Summer School SDG Hackathon featured a total of 14 sub-hacks. After fierce competition, 5 hack teams were announced as the summer school award-winners.

Hack 4: Future Information Technology for Human Healthcare

Team: Tod voice (Hack Leader: SHENG XING)
Project: ML-based infant needs’ prediction using vocal and dynamic parameters

Hack 7: How to build a sustainable lifestyle?

Team: Sea Turtles (Hack Leader: QU WEI)
Project: Less plastic, more life

Hack 10: Future trend and development model of quality education

Team: Average & Savage (Hack Leader: DU XIA)
Project: Future Pillar

Hack 11: How AI can help us build an intelligent and sustainable future?

Team: MKU (Hack Leader: LIANG ZHENG & XIAO QIAN)
Project: A.I. Approach to School Bullying Issues

Hack 12: Synthetic biology in microbial cell factories

Team: Eliminate PET (Hack Leader: MA LAN & LIU XIAO)
Project: The PEBG-PET Plastic Eliminator & Biofuel Generator

A short video of GSS2021 highlights was also shown during the ceremony, sharing reflections and perspectives from student participants and speakers. During the 9-day program, through masterclasses, an SDG Hackathon, forum discussions, virtual visits and cultural events, students engaged in a unique interdisciplinary learning journey covering topics including economics, culture, education, artificial intelligence, and leadership.

Eleven student representatives of the GSS 2021 addressed the closing ceremony, sharing their GSS experience.

Irina Semykina from University College London said she not only benefited a lot from the master class, but also explored a lot of new knowledge in the process of preparing for the hack.
Juan Ramon Cai from the University of California, Berkeley said that he has benefited the most from Tsinghua University’s 2021 Global Summer School by meeting students from all over the world and sharing ideas and experiences with them.
“Different countries, different background, different languages and different thoughts have come together to learn and share the ideas. ” MUHAMMAD AFI ADLI BIN HASNUL from University of Science, Malaysia said.
Nick DHollander from Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium said the 2021 Global Summer School hosted by Tsinghua University is a very meaningful event. During his summer school, he met students from different majors and academic backgrounds such as computer science, engineering, and biochemistry, and got close to different knowledge.
Jorge Enrique Ascencio Damian from Osaka University shared his unforgettable memories in summer school. “Together, we propose a sustainable solution to What’s a problem today.”
“The hackathon makes me realise that we are the new generation this can change this world once and for all” Baranov Nikita from Russia, who is currently studying in Tsinghua University said.
Wong Hei Yu Gladys from the University of Hong Kong firmly believes that when people are passionate about making a positive impact in the world, the sky’s the limit.
Yee Man Lau from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology said that by participating in the global summer school, she not only gained more knowledge, but also established a connection with the world.
Xin Yi Poh from Singapore Management University expressed her appreciation for Tsinghua Global Summer School. She said that the summer school closely connects students from all over the world and uses technology to break offline barriers and boundaries.
Shafqat Ullah, who is currently studying in Tsinghua University, said it was a life changing experience for him.
“Let’s take an action together to make our earth be more sustainable.” Gan Yuping from Taiwan Chiao Tung University said.