Beijing, 25th August 2026 (BISTU)--- The summer of 2026 saw booming global strategic initiatives of BISTU in nurturing “sci-tech plus humanities” globalized talents and expanding new spaces for international cooperation. The mutual, reciprocal learning programs of 2026 accommodated over 190 international students and 200 BISTU students. A network of learning has been built to connect young people of the world.

Global minds and shared insights: Overseas students come to experience the real China

From July to August 2026, BISTU greeted over 190 international students from various countries joining various exchange programs. Based on strengths and features of BISTU, the University innovated learning models and built a characteristic system of programs featuring “language as the bridge, sci-tech as the medium, and culture as the bond”. These programs would become replicable practices for “Studying in Beijing” initiative.

Training program for Lao students

The three-week training program from 12th July to 1st August 2026 accommodated 18 students from Laos. Language learning brought them into a new world of linguistics. Practical learning offered the opportunities of making Chinese dumplings, moon-shaped fans, and scent bags, a display of craftsmanship and eastern aesthetics. And they also experienced the spirit and essence of Chinese Kongfu in the training.

The Program brought the strengths and characteristics of BISTU into full play. Courses on frontier AI were designed where Laos students were able to get direct access to intelligent sci-tech equipment and practice programming and control, modeling design, and 3D printing. They have also experienced application scenarios of intelligent manufacturing, urban rail transit, and intelligent robots.

Exchange program for 100-odd international students

Between July 16 and August 5, approximately 140 international students and team leaders from Russia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Austria, and other countries came together at BISTU to take part in a two-to-three-week summer short-term exchange program. This notable group of young international participants has been fondly nicknamed the "Bai Ren Tuan" (100‑Person Cohort) by our teachers and students. It is also a flagship inbound study program that BISTU has established as part of its commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative, with a focus on Eurasian nations.

The program featured Chinese language courses at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, ensuring that every student, regardless of prior knowledge, would make meaningful progress. Based on strengths of the University in information technology, we offered hands-on tech modules such as intelligent modeling and 3D printing, humanoid robot programming and control, smart cultivation, and urban tech exploration. Outside the classroom, Beijing as a city became a living textbook. From the Badaling Great Wall and Beihai Park to Nanluoguxiang, the Ming Tombs, the Capital Museum, and the Olympic Center, students immersed themselves in the rich historical legacy of the ancient capital while witnessing its vibrant modern evolution. Crossing linguistic and national borders, these young participants discovered China, experienced Beijing, and built lifelong friendships that would transcend cultures.

Learning program for Russian students

The two weeks from 19th July to 1st August 2026 greeted 17 Russian students and teachers joining the program focused on language learning, cultural experience, and cultural visits.

Extracurricular activities included visits to Beijing scenic spots. The trip to the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, and Nanluoguxiang offered a taste of Beijing as the ancient capital. The visits to the Summer Palace and the Capital Museum added cultural experiences to the learning. They also visited the Great Wall, Wangfujing street, and the Universal Studio. And they have experienced both profound historical legacy of China and its flourishing modern evolution.

AI and engineering practice program for international students

Over 20 students from IDRAC Business School and Ecole Privée des Sciences Informatiques gathered at Shahe Campus to join the “AI and engineering practice program for international students”, a two-week program commencing on 10th August 2026. The attendees were students from France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Morocco, and Tunisia.

This program centered on core AI theories, hands-on engineering practices in intelligent manufacturing, and cutting-edge industrial applications. It established an integrated learning pathway that connected classroom teaching, lab training, industry site visits, and seminars. By guiding students to build connections among algorithms, equipment, and real-world application scenarios, the program brought them the vibrant dynamism of China's technological innovation and engineering education.

Chasing dreams and integrating knowledge and action: BISTU students go global to forge growth

BISTU dispatched around 200 students to 16 exchange programs held in 12 countries and regions. BISTU students learned new knowledge, forged their skills, and tell BISTU stories on top sci-tech competitions, leading world universities, and multi-cultural classrooms.

BISTU program for Engineers of Preeminence practice in France

The overseas practice program for engineers of preeminence was again organized in 2026. Themed on “AI applications in industries”, the program was hosted by Ecole Privée des Sciences Informatiques. It covered a wide spectrum of areas including no-code development tools, business applications of artificial intelligence, chatbot design, minimum viable product (MVP) development, and commercial promotion, in addition to company visits and hands-on project practice. Altogether 26 BISTU students joined the program.

Summer learning program in Ireland on AI empowering sustainable economic innovation

The Program was hosted by University College Cork of Ireland. In the principle of “hands-on inquiry-based learning”, the program incorporated seminars, field trips, simulated experiments, etc. to understand the role of UN’s sustainable development initiative in Ireland business and economic scenarios and AI application in sustainable development of Ireland businesses. Altogether 25 BISTU students joined the program.

Knowledge without borders in global classrooms: Learning and research program at Illinois Institute of Technology

The “Knowledge without borders in global classrooms” held at Illinois Institute of Technology saw 14 BISTU students. Supervised by Illinois Tech faculty members, the program deconstructed the business logic within the technology sector, integrated case-based teaching, built a framework for business thinking, and cultivated a dual perspective combining technology and management. Students explored history and culture of Chicago in cross-cultural learning and forged their skills in innovative thinking and team collaboration in innovation and entrepreneurship courses and mini-practices.

Beijing-Macao university exchange program

Working together with Macau University of Science and Technology, BISTU College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and College of Instrument Science and Opto-electronics Engineering organized two programs accommodating 38 students. The programs consisted of tailored courses, lab visits, field training, and seminars, aiming to broaden academic horizon of students and provide access to frontier technologies.

The Program of design thinking and innovation at Politecnico di Milano

BISTU students joined the Program of design thinking and innovation hosted by POLI.design of Politecnico di Milano. Courses offered covered five major modules, i.e., design thinking, service design, user research, interactive design, and from user experience to user design. Case analysis was applied to help students better connect theories and practices.

Inquiry-based learning and research program at the University of Cambridge

The 2026 Inquiry-based learning and research program at the University of Cambridge, delivered by professors of the University of Cambridge and University College London, offered courses in artificial intelligence and intelligent manufacturing. Students were immersed in the academic atmosphere of world leading universities to learn frontier knowledge, engage in research topic selection and research proposal writing, conduct on-site observations in university laboratories, and develop a scientific research mindset.

Global vision, mutual learning, and shared growth: words of students joining the Summer learning programs

Anastasia (Russia) - Learning program for Russian students:

You pick up the brush, dip it in the ink, and learn Chinese calligraphy stroke by stroke. It seems easy. Yet it takes great patience. This learning trip made my fall in love deeply with Chinese calligraphy.

Saisongkham (Laos) - Training program for Lao students:

I finally made it to the Badaling Great Wall – something I had been dreaming about for so long! My Chinese teacher had said, "You're not a true hero until you've been to the Great Wall." As I climbed higher and higher and watched the wall winding like a giant Chinese dragon along the mountain ridges, I was overwhelmed.

Rustam (Azerbaijan) - Exchange program for 100-odd international students

Pedrazzini (France) - AI and engineering practice program for international students

Song Yixiu (Qin Xin Honors College)- BISTU program for Engineers of Preeminence practice in France

This project gave me a whole new perspective on AI and chatbot development. Our courses covered no-code tools, AI agent automation, UX/UI design, and the Business Model Canvas. The no-code part was especially eye-opening – we didn't write a single line of code; the travel guide app was completed generated by AI. It really made me think about the role of programmers: the core value of human beings is not typing out code but understanding problems, judging AI-generated results, and taking final responsibility. We also visited Station F, a famous startup park in Paris, and gave a full English presentation with my team. I'm truly thankful to BISTU and the French professors for this amazing experience – it will definitely keep me motivated to explore more in tech and innovation.

Ding Chengjiaqi (Astra Residential College) - Summer learning program in Ireland on AI empowering sustainable economic innovation

The UCC program offered me a direct access to overseas teaching in business. Our courses focused on business sustainability, AI business applications, and environmental economics. The teachers used Irish cases to explain theories, which challenged what I knew from textbooks. Besides lectures, we also visited local markets for UK products and worked in teams on an international market consulting project. That helped me connect big ideas like the SDGs with real life. The group presentations also improved my observation skills, teamwork, and English speaking. This whole trip broadened my global outlook, taught me to think critically about social and business issues, and inspired me for future studies.

Liu Xinran (BISTU Illinois Tech College of Engineering) - Knowledge without borders in global classrooms: Learning and research program at Illinois Institute of Technology

Visit to Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago brought me a unique experience. The campus buildings are simple and solid, with a very industrial vibe. I can really feel the practical academic spirit. There are lots of open discussion spaces and labs, showing that the school values hands-on work. The atmosphere between teachers and students is relaxed and friendly, and I saw many students deeply focused on their projects. The strong research culture here really impressed me. There are no walls circling the campus. It is integrated completely with the city of Chicago: easy access to campus resources and urban resources. I became more aware of the learning model and the value of engineering research. My horizon has been broadened and I will keep going on my learning path.

Yang Yaziqi (College of Instrument Science and Opto-electronics Engineering) - Beijing-Macao university exchange program

I joined the program at Macau University of Science and Technology. The tailored courses covered frontier knowledge of artificial intelligence and big data. I visited the State Key Laboratory and the MUST LIU’s Innovation and Technology Center, where I saw cutting-edge research equipment up close. What really impressed me was talking with the researchers there. For the first time, I truly understood what it meant to “see the gap and find your direction” – there’s so much more to explore beyond the textbooks. Outside of class, we also walked through Macau’s historic center, experiencing four centuries of East-West cultural blending. And we had discussions with PhD students, where exchanging ideas gave me a lot of new perspectives. I am now aware that the true growth means going forward to see and touch a bigger world and then come back with a more determined direction.

Zhang Jingyi (Qin Xin Honors College) - Inquiry-based learning and research program at the University of Cambridge

I am very satisfied with the learning tour. It gave me a real experience of the academic atmosphere at the University of Cambridge and University College London, in addition to professional knowledge in artificial intelligence. I also had the opportunity to feel the local customs and culture of the UK. It is one of my unforgettable memories.

Chen Xinying (College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering) - The Program of design thinking and innovation at Politecnico di Milano

The trip to Politecnico di Milano is really an inspiring one. This experience really helped me build a solid framework for human-centered design thinking. The course walked us through real-world cases and broke down the whole service design process. It also offered systematic learning of tools like service blueprints, ecosystem maps, and user personas. I realized that design isn't just about making things visually perfect or good – it's a systematic approach that brings together users, businesses, and logistics in one seamless solution. I've learned to use different tools to sort out user needs and map the service flow before I even start designing. It's all about making human-centered innovation that can actually be put into practice.

Liu Qiming (College of Information and Communication Engineering) - Machine learning, data mining and AI program at Harvard University

The unforgettable memories at Boston included machine learning, data mining, and artificial intelligence, in addition to exploration of linear regression and logistic regression. I started to realize that mathematics, algorithms and data are indispensable for artificial intelligence. We have also explored other universities such as MIT to feel the atmosphere there. I will maintain my passion for knowledge and forge my own path.

Huang Jizhou (College of Computer Science) – AI and machine learning program at MIT

“Work hard and have some fun.” A professor of MIT said to us when I was attending the program there. After going through the whole process of searching for papers, planning out the project, writing code, and putting together the paper, I slowly started to get a real taste of what scientific research is all about. I felt the breeze of Boston and I saw arts, humanities, histories, and sincere smiles on people’s faces. May all of us keep moving toward a more beautiful and bright future.

Education would be enriched by exchanges. Young people would be friends once they get to know each other. The two-bound exchange and communication has been rooted in learning course of BISTU students. BISTU will continue to promote its “bringing in” and “going global” strategies in a coordinated manner and further expanded its global university partnership network so as to make BISTU-marked contributions to high-level opening up of education, Sino-foreign friendly exchanges between young people, and building a shared future for mankind.