On November 15, 2025, the 3rd “Belt and Road” Engineering Science and Technology International Student Academic Forum and the 1st Shaanxi International Student Academic Forum—hosted by the International College of Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU)—was successfully convened. International students from Harbin Institute of Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xidian University, and other institutions gathered with NPU students to share research achievements, exchange ideas, and explore cutting-edge scientific and technological topics. The forum featured keynote speeches, six sub-forums, and poster sessions, with more than 100 international students presenting their academic work.
Opening Ceremony and Keynote Speech
On the morning of November 15, the opening ceremony was held at the Nanshan Art Center on the Chang’an Campus.In the address, Kong Jie, Dean of the International College, expressed sincere appreciation to all attending guests. He noted that building on the success of the previous two forums, this year’s forum expanded further in scale and participation, aiming to provide a high-level platform that stimulates innovative thinking and broadens academic horizons for international students. The diversity of participants and the academic excellence demonstrated reflected the forum’s growing influence and cohesion.Dean Kong emphasized that international education should extend beyond classroom boundaries, striving to deepen understanding, encourage innovation, and cultivate global talents capable of contributing to the shared future of humanity. He encouraged all participants to engage in the forum with openness, curiosity, and a spirit of collaboration, exploring the vast potential of interdisciplinary cooperation through active dialogue and intellectual exchange.
Conference Chair Frederick Nii Ofei Bruce extended his gratitude to the experts and scholars who supported the event, noting that the forum provides an important high-level academic platform for international students. He encouraged participants to engage actively, share insights, promote collaboration, and collectively advance the integration of multidisciplinary research.
Student representative Adiyaman Berfi remarked that the forum offers students from different countries and institutions a valuable opportunity to present research, learn from one another, and build cross-cultural connections, embodying the principles of exchange, cooperation, and shared development advocated by the Belt and Road Initiative.
During the keynote speech, Professor Liu Zhaowen from NPU’s School of Computer Science delivered a presentation titled Harnessing Multimodal Data Integration to Advance Precision Psychiatry. Professor Chen Fang from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering presented Ultrasonic Regulation of Micro–Nano Interfaces for Sulfonated Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Based Composite Proton Exchange Membranes. Associate Professor Khandaker Noman from NPU’s School of Civil Aviation presented Prognostic Maintenance of Wind Turbine Rotor-Bearing System. Dr. Shahid Ali Khan, Postdoctoral Fellow at City University of Hong Kong, delivered a talk titled Thermally-Integrated Water Desalination–Electrolysis System for Clean Hydrogen Generation. Covering multiple cutting-edge fields of engineering and technology, the four keynote speeches significantly broadened students’ academic perspectives and provided insights into the latest research developments.
Poster Sessions and Presentations
On the afternoon of November 15, forty-five students presented their research in the poster session, engaging in lively discussions with attending faculty and peers. The posters spanned six disciplinary areas—Aeronautical and Astronautical Science and Technology; Advanced Materials Science and Engineering; Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence; Information, Control, and Electronic Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics; and Business Management and Interdisciplinary Studies—highlighting the vitality of academic innovation and the unique appeal of interdisciplinary integration.
This was followed by six sub-forums, where forty-six presenters delivered oral reports on their respective research topics. The review panel included experts such as Professor Chen Zhongwei (School of Materials Science and Engineering), Professor Liu Zhaowen (School of Computer Science), Associate Professor Shi Aiming (School of Aeronautics), Associate Professor Fan Zhiqiang (School of Mechanics and Transportation Engineering), Associate Professors Tian Dayong and Chen Nan (School of Electronics and Information Technology), Associate Professor Sun Xiaofeng (School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering), Associate Professors Xu Yan and Zhang Xiaodi (School of Management), Associate Professor Zheng Wei (School of Software and Microelectronics), Associate Professor Han Rong (School of Foreign Languages), Associate Professor Khandaker Noman (School of Civil Aviation), and Dr. Shahid Ali Khan (City University of Hong Kong). The reviewers offered professional feedback, and the sessions featured active interaction and in-depth academic exchange.
Closing Ceremony and Awards
Based on evaluations by the expert panel, 46 students received first, second, third, and participation awards for oral presentations, while 45 students received corresponding awards for poster presentations.
In the closing remarks, Li Ziwei, Deputy Dean of the International College, expressed his appreciation to all participants and congratulated them on their academic achievements. He encouraged students to continue exploring, innovating, and contributing their wisdom and strength to the advancement of engineering science and technology.
The successful organization of this forum marks the growing prominence of the “Belt and Road” Engineering Science and Technology International Student Academic Forum as a signature academic exchange event for international students at NPU. The International College will continue to advance the goals of the Belt and Road Initiative by strengthening international students’ scientific research capacity, enhancing academic vision, and promoting academic exchange, contributing to NPU’s development as a key international study destination in engineering science and technology under the Belt and Road framework.
It is reported that the 2025 “Perceiving China” program, sponsored by the China Scholarship Council, introduces overseas students to a comprehensive and dynamic China through social practice, academic exchange, volunteer service, and various other activities.
(Written by: Han Zhen；Translators: Yang Runze; Mei Leyun)
