Recently, the 2026 Chinese Government Scholarship International Summer School on Earth System Sciences with the University of Granada, sponsored by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and hosted by China University of Geosciences, was successfully held. Doctoral and master's students and a professor from the Mineralogy and Petrology program with the University of Granada gathered in Wuhan for a two-week program of coursework, field training and cultural exchanges focused on Earth system sciences.
The opening ceremony was held on October 9. Prof. WU Yuanbao, Dean of the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, attended and delivered a welcome address. He noted that the Spanish students' visit reflected the deep friendship and cooperation between the two universities in Earth sciences, and hoped that the students would gain new knowledge, build friendships and experience the vibrant academic life at CUG. He also expressed the hope that this program would further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two universities, jointly cultivate young geoscience talents with an international vision and innovative capacity, and contribute to the development of global Earth sciences. In her speech, Prof. CAO Shuyun, Deputy Dean of the International Education College, reviewed CUG's more than 70 years of international education and expressed the hope that this exchange would mark a new starting point for deeper geoscience cooperation between the two universities, welcoming more joint research projects and faculty–student exchanges. Prof. Aitor Cambeses Torres, leader of the University of Granada delegation, extended his thanks to CSC and CUG for the well-organized program. He said that the Spanish students were eager to learn about geological research in China and the geological records of the Three Gorges region, hoped to engage in in-depth exchanges with their Chinese counterparts in lectures and field training, and looked forward to this visit becoming a starting point for long-term cooperation between the two universities in geosciences.
During the program, Chinese and foreign professors delivered frontier courses on different themes: Prof. Aitor Cambeses Torres gave lectures on “Zircon and Its Applications” and “In-situ Zircon Analysis and Microanalytical Systems,” while CUG faculty offered courses including “The History and Geological Discoveries of Mars Exploration,” “Quaternary Global Change” and “Introduction to Mineral Physics.” The two sides held in-depth discussions on frontier theories, latest advances, advanced techniques and innovative teaching models in geosciences. The students were introduced to different academic traditions and research approaches, gaining a systematic understanding of the current state of international research.
The delegation also visited State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources on the Future City Campus, gaining direct insight into advanced research platforms.
From October 16 to 20, Chinese and international faculty and students carried out joint geological field training at the Zigui Field Training Base in the Three Gorges reservoir area, conducting field investigations on Neoproterozoic glacial deposits across multiple branches of geology, including sedimentology and petrology. During the excursion, students from both universities cross-validated their classroom learning against field geological evidence and discussed core topics such as the field characteristics of geological processes, their formation mechanisms, and their relations to resources, energy, the environment and human society, deepening their understanding of the evolution of Earth's habitability. Their practical skills and professional competence were significantly enhanced.
In addition to the academic courses and field practice, the program organized cultural experience activities including paper cutting, tai chi, Chinese painting, calligraphy, seal carving and a visit to the Yellow Crane Tower, allowing the visiting delegation to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture and deepen mutual understanding.
This program will deepen cooperation between the two universities in Earth sciences, broaden the international horizons of faculty and students, and enhance the international influence of the geoscience discipline. By combining field investigation with academic discussions, it will stimulate academic innovation, consolidate the foundation of cultivating internationally minded talent, and provide strong support for the development of geology as a national first-class discipline.
