On April 17, the closing ceremony of the 2026 NPU Sino–Euro Spring School was held at the International Conference Center on the Youyi Campus. More than 100 faculty members and students from NPU and eight leading universities across four countries attended the ceremony, including INSA France, the University of Barcelona in Spain, the Autonomous University of Madrid in Spain, The Technical University of Madrid, Politecnico di Milano in Italy, and the National Technical University of Athens. Representatives from Undergraduate Student Affairs Department of the NPU Committee of the CPC, Graduate School, Teaching Affairs Department, Physical Education Department, School of Astronautics, School of Mechanical Engineering, and Institute of Flexible Electronics were also attended the event.
At the ceremony, Professor Daniel Jaque, former Vice Rector of the Autonomous University of Madrid, spoke highly of the successful organization of this Spring School. He noted that the program enabled European faculty and students to experience first-hand the appeal of China’s scientific achievements and cultural heritage, and expressed his gratitude to NPU for its thoughtful arrangement. Faculty representative Xiao Fei said that witnessing Chinese and international students learn from one another and grow together in classes and during visits gave him a profound appreciation of the value of international exchange. He encouraged all participants to carry forward the friendships and achievements gained through the program. Subsequently, Chen Jun, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation, presented certificates to the participating faculty members and students.
The 2026 China-European Spring School offered five course tracks. In addition to theoretical instruction, the program placed strong emphasis on experimental research and group collaboration. The course topics included: Exploration of Green Aviation Fuels and Rocket Propellants; Computer-Aided Production of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Resin Matrix Composite Laminate Aircraft Models; Design and Practice of Small Solid-Propellant/Hydrodynamic Sounding Rockets; Marine Energy and Green Development: Toward the Future of the “Dual Carbon” Goals; and Foundations and Applications of Large Language Models.
Beyond academic learning, the Spring School also offered students opportunities to experience Chinese culture. Participants visited cultural landmarks including the Xi’an City Wall, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Shaanxi History Museum, and the Terracotta Warriors, gaining a deeper appreciation of Xi’an’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Students also toured NPU’s You’yi and Chang’an campuses as well as related laboratories. NPU’S distinctive campus culture, strong academic foundations, and robust research capabilities left a lasting impression on them.
The 10-day Spring School enabled NPU students to build strong friendships with their peers from European universities, deepen cultural exchange, broaden their international perspectives, and enhance their understanding of global governance. The European participants also gained insight into China’s rapidly advancing scientific and technological innovation and experienced the depth of traditional Chinese culture. Both Chinese and international students benefited greatly from the program.
Hector, student at the Autonomous University of Madrid:
“Ms. Han Xiaoyanqi, as a European representative, I have been speaking with all the students, so I can confidently say that every one of us had a fantastic time in China, and particularly at your university. On behalf of all of us, I want to thank you and Yang Jie. Personally, I also want to thank you especially for trusting me to deliver the opening speech. I really appreciate it. I will be spending many years in China from now on, so if you ever need European students for any event, just let me know :) I will do my best to be there.”
Li Yixin, student at the School of Aeronautics, NPU:
“The Sino-Euro Spring School was a truly remarkable experience for me. As a volunteer, I joined international students in visiting cultural sites and taking part in courses. This not only strengthened my communication and coordination skills, but also broadened my global outlook. I could sense that these young people from other countries were full of curiosity about this vast and unfamiliar Eastern nation. Behind that curiosity was their respect and appreciation for Chinese culture, as well as their anticipation for deeper cultural exchange and intellectual dialogue between China and Europe.
What I am most grateful for is our university. NPU gave us a valuable opportunity for cultural exchange and personal development, and created a space where different countries and civilizations could meet and learn from one another. I sincerely hope that the university will continue to welcome friends from around the world who are committed to mutual learning among civilizations and cultural integration, with the same confidence and openness as our vibrant and self-assured motherland. I wish the Sino-EuroSpring School and all of the university’s international programs even greater success in the future.”
Yousera, international student at the School of Management, NPU:
“I did not expect this experience to feel so personal, but it truly did. As an international student in China, taking part in the Sino-European Spring School as a volunteer felt different. I ended up joining almost everything—not because I had to, but because I genuinely did not want to miss any part of it.
The ice-breaking activity made everything easy from the very beginning, and after that, things unfolded naturally. What stayed with me most was seeing how the European students responded to everything: the city, the history, and the places we visited. You could see the surprise and admiration in their eyes, especially during the visits. It made me look at China differently too, as if I were rediscovering it together with them.
We shared so many simple moments—talking, laughing, and having meals together—but they meant a great deal. Nothing felt forced; everything felt natural. I am truly grateful for the people I met, the friendships we built, and the memories we created. I am also grateful to the organizers who worked quietly behind the scenes, and to the university for making all of this possible. It is something I will carry with me for a long time.”
The NPU Sino-Euro Spring School is not only a window through which the university presents its strengths in science, technology, and culture, but also a bridge of mutual engagement. Here, young people from China and Europe learned from and inspired one another, jointly composing a vivid chapter of academic innovation and mutual learning among civilizations.
(Source: Office of International Cooperation
Copywriter: Yang Jie
Editor: Han Zhili
Initial Reviewer: Han Xiaoyanqi
Second Reviewer: Chen Siwei
Final Reviewer：Chen Jun
Translators: Yang Runze; Mei Leyun)
