Empowering the Future Holding Hands with the World, Competent on a Global Scale 

    2023 Summer School of QMES (Queen Mary Engineering School) Successfully Concluded 

In August 2023, a group of over a hundred students and teachers from QMES, China, attended a summer school program organised by their partner institution, QMUL (Queen Mary University of London) in the United Kingdom. The program was designed with the professional interests of QMES in mind and offered tailor-made courses such as Biomedical Materials, Photovoltaic Cells, and Magnetic Materials. Besides expert lectures, the program included a Maker space competition (designing and engineering wooden sails), cultural experiences, and a closing ceremony. Through group discussions and collaborative work, students had the opportunity to combine theory with practical training, broaden their horizons through cross-cultural experiences, acquire professional engineering knowledge, enhance their global competence, and gain new insights for their personal growth and development.

Course Study: Mastery of Eastern and Western Studies, Experiencing the Fascination of "New" Materials 

Over the 14-day summer school program, the Queen Mary University of London teachers delivered informative lectures and practical courses that helped students consolidate and enhance their understanding of materials while broadening their international horizons. A hands-on learning session held at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry allowed students to repair tooth cavities under the expert guidance of Professor Ben Ausley by using haptic trainer machines. This experience sparked the students' interest in biomaterials and dental medical materials.

Professor Li Zhe delivered a session on Energy Materials. The lecture showcased the phenomena of conductive flexible materials by comparing photovoltaic panels and batteries, demonstrating the vibration of a grasshopper experimental instrument and the fan's rotation under light.

Students from QMES participated in a workshop on building wooden sail cars. James Wayland, the head of Maker Space, led the workshop with his assistants and taught the participants about wooden structures. The students formed groups, put into practice the mechanical concepts they had learned in class, and designed the structure of the sail cars using wooden timber. They worked together, utilising their strengths, actively communicating with each other, and physically constructing sail cars using tools. After the workshop, the groups raced their wooden sail cars on a track outside the laboratory, and four winning teams were selected. Cheng Yin, the Vice Dean of the QMES, and James Wayland presented prizes to the winning teams. This workshop enhanced students' innovative thinking and scientific-practical skills and fostered their awareness of teamwork and collaboration.

In addition, Professor Karin introduced the students to the applications and development of Biomaterials. Sir Harry showcased the unique charm of Computational Materials. Professor Liu Chao shared his successful experiences and insights gained from the process of innovation and entrepreneurship in London, drawing on his own practical experiences. 

The summer school visited the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3) in the United Kingdom to help students enhance their competitiveness in the overseas job market. The aim was to help students understand how to obtain the professional title of Chartered Engineer through IOM3 certification. During the visit, representatives from IOM3 provided a detailed presentation on the institute's history of development and current projects, giving students a basic understanding of the organisation. In addition, the representatives exchanged knowledge and information within the field. After the presentation, students actively engaged in discussions with the IOM3 staff regarding how to join the institute and participate in its activities.

One must take advantage of the various free museums in London, offering rich content and diverse themes. Students from the summer school visited the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Natural History Museum, arranged by Li Wang and Luqman. The British Museum houses a wide range of exhibits, presenting the history and evolution of countries and regions worldwide in detail. The Natural History Museum showcases the wonders of the natural world, with over 80 million specimens, including plants, animals, rocks, and mineral fossils. At the Victoria and Albert Museum, students had the opportunity to witness sculptures by Michelangelo and Rodin, paintings by Picasso and Dali, and jewellery and porcelain from ancient Egypt, Rome, and the Ming and Qing dynasties. Xinru Deng (Lecturer at QMES) organised a visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum for students. The museum is known for being the home of the iconic literary detective Sherlock Holmes. It is a small, intimate setting filled with authentic Victorian furniture and curiosities. The museum also houses a treasure trove of items belonging to Sherlock, his friends, and his adversaries.

Students took part in two special activities, the "London Marathon" and "Oxford Exploration".

" For the "London Marathon," 102 students were divided into 21 groups and accompanied by teachers and volunteers from QMES. The groups were assigned to visit 10 designated landmarks and take creative group selfies at each landmark. In this activity, the students planned their routes using maps, walked briskly, took the subway, and used the iconic red double-decker buses of London to explore the city using various modes of transportation. The winners of the competition received souvenirs from the school. The groups that finished the marathon first and had the most creative selfies were awarded souvenirs from the school.

The "Oxford Exploration" allowed the students to experience the rich heritage of one of the world's top academic institutions. They planted seeds of hope in the serene college courtyards and discovered the charm of British culture by walking through Oxford's historic streets and picturesque buildings.

Students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local customs and culture. They also had the chance to interact with more than 60 faculty members and students from QMUL and the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT). Both institutions introduced their educational features and philosophies, which laid the groundwork for future collaboration. The students experienced a "British style" social interaction and made new friends with similar interests. They expressed their willingness to engage in further in-depth exchanges and mutual learning. 

Summary of Achievements | Abundant Results, Guiding New Directions in Life

At the end of the summer school, the students had a great time making unforgettable memories with their teammates. They also created Vlogs to document their cultural experiences and what they had learned. The teachers were very impressed by the excellent recordings and the students’ creativity. After careful evaluation by the teachers and students, Group 7 and Group 12 were declared as the winners of the Best Work Prize. At the closing ceremony, Gabriel Cavalli, Executive Vice Dean of QMES, along with Luqman and Li Wang, the heads of the Summer School, presented awards to the winning groups.

James Busfield, Director of Strategy and Deputy Head of the School of Engineering and Materials Science at QMUL, presented the summer school completion certificates to the campers and warmly congratulated them on the successful completion of the summer school.

The summer school was an excellent opportunity for students to make the most of their summer vacation and experience British-style learning within the cultural context of QMUL. It helped to enhance their knowledge of materials, fostered a sense of teamwork, and improved their overall competence. The program effectively stimulated everyone's enthusiasm for international and diverse development and positively cultivated innovative talents with an international perspective for the college.