On August 1st, the first "Tongji University German Summer Camp," hosted by the Tongji SEM German-Sino Center (TJGSC), wrapped up successfully in Berlin. Held in three sessions over three weeks, it brought together 310 undergraduates from 17 schools of Tongji University. Through academic lectures, university and company visits, and cultural experiences, participants gained deep insights into Germany's innovation landscape and cultural diversity, boosting the university's international talent cultivation and Sino-German cooperation.

The opening ceremony on July 9th at TJGSC saw ZHOU Zhiqiang, Counselor for Education at the Chinese Embassy in Germany, deliver a speech. He praised Tongji's role as a key bridge for Sino-German exchanges in education, technology, and culture, urging students to cherish the experience, engage in local culture, think critically, and become future ambassadors of Sino-German friendship.

Under the theme "Exploring Berlin: Innovation, Culture, and the Future," the camp offered a multi-dimensional learning platform. Academic sessions featured lectures by professors from Germany, France, Spain, etc., on global supply chain management, AI applications, and sustainable development, broadening students' global views. Visits to the Technical University of Berlin and Humboldt University showcased German higher education's academic traditions and innovation. A trip to the BMW Motorrad Berlin Plant and other renowned firms revealed German manufacturing's technological prowess and management practices.

The closing ceremony on August 1st at TJGSC included a speech by XIE En, Dean of Tongji's School of Economics and Management, who summarized the camp's achievements, highlighted its positive impact on students and inter-university exchanges, and presented completion certificates. ZHANG Lei, Deputy Dean of the School of Dentistry, shared his experiences as a faculty representative, encouraging students to turn their learnings into motivation.

YANG Pinyue from the School of Dentistry valued the academic courses and university visits. ZHANG Tingrui from the School of Electronic and Information Engineering was impressed by the BMW factory, seeing Germany's Industry 4.0 and quality focus. SONG Zhengyu from the College of Automotive Studies noted that German-language lectures and professional exchanges deepened his understanding of new energy vehicles. All agreed the experience expanded their international horizons and offered new perspectives on academic research and cross-cultural communication.

As TJGSC's first transnational program, the camp provided immersive international learning, aiding Tongji's talent development, and fostered interactions with German universities and companies, building resources for deeper cooperation. It strengthened ties between Tongji and German partners via TJGSC's platform, fueling the university's Germany cooperation strategy and Sino-German educational and technological exchanges.

Established in November 2024, TJGSC is Tongji's first overseas physical platform in Berlin, aiming to bridge Sino-German academic, industrial, and cultural exchanges, integrating teaching, research, and recruitment. It strives to be a key hub for Tongji's German partnerships and a platform for bilateral education, economy, and culture cooperation.