Dialogue@ZJU: With students from Zhejiang University SDG Global Summer School

[Editor’s Note: The 2022 Zhejiang University SDG Global Summer School, entitled SDG for a Better Future, concluded on August 15. Nearly 1,000 talented students from over 350 universities in more than 80 countries and regions participated in the 14-day program, during which they explored solutions to six of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through challenging academic modules and exciting non-curricular activities. What did they gain from participating in this Summer School? What expectations do they have for next year's program? Students shared their fondest memories and expectations through video and words.]

Stephanie Ann, Singapore

The holistic approach to climate change is what makes the ZJU SDG Summer School very insightful. The lectures, assignments, and group tasks not only allow students to apply the knowledge they have learnt but also propel them to ponder and explore the topics on their own. My favorite portion of the ZJU SDG Summer School is the group tasks, where I got to work with collaborative teammates and make new friends, despite the virtual setting. I am looking forward to participating in the ZJU SDG Summer School next year, hopefully in-person!

Kiryowa Idrisa, India

The summer school program is highly educational, interactive and informative, giving students the chance to interact with many professors from around the world and students as well. I have gained much insight into the UN discussions, policy-making and resolutions. I’ve also obtained more knowledge on how to save our planet by reducing pollutants and increasing carbon sinks and made a lot of friends, which increased my network and circle.

Haleema Iftikhar, Pakistan  

I gained a lot of information from this short course which I never had before. All the teachers were highly cooperative, sincere and competent. I love how responsive they were to every student and this is my favorite part of this course! I hope next time I have chance to attend face to face classes in ZJU campus and have live interaction with professors.

Bruno Cesarec, Croatia

I am thrilled that I had an opportunity to learn so many new things. Intelligent Service Robots for example is not my background, so I am happy that I've used the chance to get into this innovative and disruptive impact on our lives and how we are working with scarce resources, in the end, to improve the standard and quality of living. I am going to remember the Opening ceremony of the summer school which presented to me for the first time how the metaverse platform could be used. Certainly, I am looking forward to working in similar environments.

PU Xuecong, China

I took both the MUN (FAO) and Carbon Neutrality courses for this year's ZJU SDG GSS, with the hope that I can find something new about the relation between food supply chain and carbon emission reduction. After a fortnight study in Carbon Neutrality, I’ve got to say this course meet my every fantasy of an international program. The way I see it, Carbon Neutrality courses are interactive and interesting enough to attract young scholars from every corner of the globe. The most precious lesson I've learned from this program is to take a holistic approach towards carbon neutrality, there has to be a trade-off between different SDGs like Zero Hunger, Climate Action, Responsible Production and Consumption and etc.

Video credit: Graduate School, Zhejiang University