In a bid to enhance the practical application of theoretical knowledge, foster students' practical, innovative, analytical, and problem-solving skills, boost their overall qualities, cultivate a spirit of hard work and labor, the College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, following the educational philosophy of "integrating knowledge with action, emphasizing practice, and focusing on innovation," meticulously organized a diverse array of activities for the 2023 Summer School from July 5 to August 13. These activities included field internships (corporate internships), academic symposiums, collaborative internships, and summer camps. These experiences have holistically elevated students' qualities, innovation capabilities, and practical skills, aiding in their growth and development.
Read thousands of books, travel thousands of miles.
Strengthening practical teaching, broadening students' horizons, integrating theory with practice, and enhancing students' professional practical abilities constitute the key foundation for cultivating top-notch innovative talents. The aim is to observe landforms during extensive travels, experience cultural landscapes, and delve deeper into the essence of "reading thousands of books," thus solidifying the groundwork for students' future professional learning.
From July 6 to 17, under the guidance of Dean Li Yu and Professor Zhang Dezong, students majoring in Natural Geography and Resource Environment from the Class of 2020 embarked on professional internships in regions including Wuwei, Jinchang, Zhangye, Minle, Qilian, and Haibei. The internship routes covered three major natural zones: the Eastern Monsoon Zone, the Northwestern Arid Zone, and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Students majoring in Natural Geography and Resource Environment from the Class of 2021, led by Professors Zeng Biao, Ding Suting, Zhang Fen, and Zhang Junzhou, conducted soil and plant geography internships at the Liancheng Forest Ecosystem Field Observation and Research Station in Gansu. These internships encompassed identifying typical soil and vegetation types, analyzing characteristics of standard sampling points, on-site measurement of common indicators and their developmental conditions, and exploring the evolution mechanisms and trends. Students majoring in the same field from the Class of 2022, accompanied by Professors Geng Haopeng, Cheng Hongyi, and Hu Xiaofei, visited regions such as Lanzhou, Dingxi, Gannan, Linxia, and Haidong, deepening their application and understanding of Earth Science Introduction, Geomorphology, and Physical Geography through field observations.
From July 8 to 17, students majoring in Geographic Information Science from the Class of 2020, under the guidance of Professors Nian Yanyun, Wang Xiaoyan, Cui Xia, Cao Bo, Huang Guanghui, and Peng Xiaoqing, visited Yongdeng County in Lanzhou, Ganzhou District and Minle County in Zhangye, Wuwei, Jinchang, and other areas. They conducted comprehensive field internships in connection with research stations such as the Liancheng Forest Ecosystem Field Observation and Research Station, the Shiyang River Basin Field Observation and Research Station, the Chinese Academy of Sciences Heihe Remote Sensing Experimental Research Station, the Qilian Mountain Permafrost Research Station, the Gansu Basic Geographic Information Center, and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Students majoring in Geographic Information Science from the Class of 2021, led by Professor Jiang Zhiyong, carried out surveying internships at the Yuzhong Campus. Those from the Class of 2022, guided by Professor Wang Xiaoyun, engaged in land use surveying and mapping internships in the Yuzhong Basin.
From July 5 to 17, students majoring in Human Geography and Urban-Rural Planning from the Class of 2020, under the guidance of Professor Ye Weifeng, visited areas in Gansu (Dingxi and Tianshui), Shaanxi (Baoji, Xianyang, Xi'an, and Yan'an), and Ningxia (Yinchuan and Zhongwei). The internship routes spanned the Loess Plateau in central Gansu, the Guanzhong Plain in Shaanxi, the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi, and the Yellow River Basin in Ningxia. Students from the Class of 2021, led by Professors Ma Guoqiang, Huang Yinzhou, and Lu Rongfang, visited typical planning cases in Tianshui, Pingliang, Lanzhou New District, and Lanzhou City. Students from the Class of 2022, under the guidance of Professors Li Ding, Wang Meimei, and Peng Tingjiang, conducted internships in Lanzhou, Lintao, and Gannan, focusing on cultural areas of agriculture (Central Plains Culture Subregion), Islamic culture (Chinese Muslim Ethnic Culture Subregion), and nomadic culture (Tibetan Culture Subregion).
From July 5 to 17, students majoring in Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering from the Class of 2020, guided by Professors Tian Wei, Gao Tanguang, and Zhou Zhengkun, visited Yichang City in Hubei to see the Three Gorges Dam, Jingjiang Embankment, and Danjiangkou Reservoir. Students from the Class of 2021, under Professors Qian Ju and Qing Wenwu, conducted internships in Yuzhong County Hydrological Station, Xinglong Mountain River, Kongtong Reservoir, Zhifanggou Reservoir, and Pingliang Hydrological Station. Students from the Class of 2022, guided by Professor Ma Haiyan, conducted geological internships in Yuzhong County, Lanzhou City, Lintao City, Dingxi City, and surrounding areas.
From July 6 to 28, students majoring in Environmental Science and Environmental Engineering from the Class of 2020, accompanied by Professors Wang Bo, Wei Yi, Wang Shengli, Cheng Xiuwen, and Li Xiaoli, undertook atmospheric module internships at the Gansu Institute of Ecological Environment Science and Design, the Gansu Carbon Emission Trading Center Co., Ltd., and Gansu Super Carbon Consulting Services Co., Ltd. They also visited Xi'an Entrepreneurship Water Affairs Co., Ltd. for practical experience in wastewater treatment plant design, process equipment, water quality testing, and daily operations for water pollution control. Furthermore, they visited locations such as Baiyin City's deep copper mine, tailings ponds, Dongdagou, and Xidagou, conducting soil module internships. Students from the Class of 2021, guided by Professors Li Zhongguo, Jiang Yunchao, Liu Lichen, and Xu Min, visited the surrounding areas of Jinchang City (including Shandan County and Sunan County in Zhangye, Minqin County in Wuwei, and Alxa Right Banner in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region) for internships related to artificial landscapes (water environment), urban industrial landscapes (human collective resource utilization activities), suburban landscapes (agricultural industrialization process), and natural landscapes (natural environment evolution).
Academic Feast Expands Horizons
Hosting high-level academic lectures to broaden students' academic horizons is a significant component of the summer school. During the 2023 summer session, the College of Earth and Environmental Sciences invited four professors - Liu Yongqin, Liu Junzhi, Ji Mukang, and Liu Pengfei - to deliver academic lectures titled "Contemporary Third Pole Environment and Climate," "Simulation of Basin Processes and Watershed Science Management," "Distribution Patterns and Functions of Microorganisms in the Third Pole," and "Methane, Microorganisms, and Climate Change." These distinguished experts and young scholars in their respective fields presented a series of high-quality academic lectures tailored to the learning demands of different grades and majors.
Collaborative Internships Foster Learning Exchange
Cross-regional geographic collaborative internships represent a reformative and innovative model for nurturing top-tier geographical talents and practical field teaching. Since 2009, the National Geographic Collaborative Internship for Geography Universities has been held continuously for 13 sessions. This initiative extensively explores and integrates the high-quality practical teaching resources cultivated by universities, with participation from more than 40 universities across China, including institutions from Hong Kong and Taiwan. From July 28 to August 13, under the guidance of Professor Li Zhuolun, six undergraduate students from our college participated in the 14th National Geographic Collaborative Internship in the northeastern region.
Immersive Academic Atmosphere in the Geographical Summer Camp
In order to uphold the core socialist values, showcase China's magnificent landscapes, and cultivate students' lofty aspirations, the College of Earth and Environmental Sciences hosted the "8th (2023) Outstanding Geographical Undergraduates Summer Camp" from July 11 to 16. A total of 35 undergraduates from 25 universities across the country took part in this event. During the camp's opening ceremony, Professor Pan Baotian, Vice President of Lanzhou University, along with Professor Wang Na'ang, a national-level teaching master, and Professor Dong Guanghui, a recipient of the Outstanding Youth Fund, delivered fascinating academic presentations. Subsequently, led by Professors Gao Hongshan, Li Zhuolun, Jin Ming, and Zhang Junzhou, field internships were conducted around the intersection of the three natural zones. These internships delved into the Yellow Earth formation and environmental changes, river terraces and watershed evolution, deserts and vegetation types, formation mechanisms of the Badain Jaran Desert lakes and tall sand dunes, red bed landforms and plateau uplift, as well as vegetation vertical zoning spectrums and soil distribution at the Liancheng Forest Ecosystem Field Observation and Research Station. Throughout the practical period, students and teachers focused on exploration, deepening their understanding of classroom theoretical knowledge. This approach inspired students to actively identify problems, construct hypotheses, collect data, and interpret viewpoints, thus nurturing academic freedom, self-awareness, and adherence to scholarly norms through intellectual exchanges.
With this, the summer school at the College of Earth and Environmental Sciences has concluded successfully. Throughout this vibrant and diverse summer internship and practical activity, students participated with enthusiasm. Through observation, contemplation, discussion, and summarization, they elevated their comprehensive understanding of the region and honed their analytical thinking. This experience fostered the development of students' scientific literacy, enabling them to pose scientific questions, apply professional knowledge and technical skills to propose problem-solving solutions. In the future, the college will continue to advance standardized management and educational reform and innovation, enhance the construction level of nationally top-tier undergraduate programs, strive to create an excellent talent cultivation model and system with distinctive Lanzhou University characteristics, and fully utilize the effectiveness of collaborative practice-based education, contributing to the construction of the university's "Double First-Class" initiative.
