In order to cultivate multidisciplinary talent with a global perspective, innovative thinking and digital literacy, the School of Undergraduate Education and the School of Economics and Management at Tongji University organized an overseas summer program in collaboration with the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) at the University of Cambridge, which took place from 10th to 20th August. The program focused on the theme of “Digital Intelligence Innovation and the Future of AI”. Led by Tongji SEM’s Associate Professor SHAO Luning, the program involved 24 undergraduates from various faculties, including the School of Economics and Management (SEM), the School of Computer Science and Technology, the School of Civil Engineering, and the School of Transportation Engineering. By integrating Britain’s premier academic resources with its industrial innovation ecosystem, the initiative provided students with a cross-disciplinary, cross-cultural international exchange platform through diverse academic courses and cultural experiences. This effectively enhanced participants’ academic, innovative, and global competitiveness.

On the morning of 12 August, the opening ceremony for the summer program took place at the Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing. Those in attendance included Professor WU Zhijun, Dean of the Undergraduate College at Tongji University; Professors SHI Yongjiang and Adam Antonik from the University of Cambridge; Associate Professor SHAO Luning from Tongji University’s School of Economics and Management; Teacher WU Xiuzhi from the Undergraduate College; Teacher ZHANG Hengjia from the Student Affairs Office; and all the students taking part in the program.

Professor SHI Yongjiang of the University of Cambridge delivered the course “Evolution of Industrial Ecosystems Driven by Digital and Intelligent Innovation”, providing a systematic analysis of the underlying logic of industrial transformation in the digital age. Adam Antonik’s course, “Frontiers and Development of Artificial Intelligence”, demonstrated how AI technology empowers innovation incubation through case studies from the Cambridge Science Park. In the course Artificial Intelligence and ESG: Intelligent Governance and Sustainable Business Models, Professor Steve Evans and students from Cambridge University engaged in vigorous discussions centered on the green transition. Research Fellow MAO Boyang from Cambridge University delivered a thematic course on “Frontier Technologies in Industry: Graphene as an Example”, vividly illustrating the revolution and future of the materials industry. In his course, “Artificial Intelligence and Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship”, Associate Professor SHAO Luning analyzed the challenges and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in the new era. These courses established a systematic knowledge framework for students and stimulated profound reflection on technological ethics and social responsibility

This summer program adopted an innovative model, combining academic courses with practical visits and cultural immersion. It provided students with in-depth exposure to the latest developments in artificial intelligence and digital innovation, while also cultivating international competence through cross-cultural experiences. The program culminated in an academic forum where participating teams presented their research findings on topics including AI-driven industrial innovation.