From 5 to 18 July, five students from St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU), Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Municipal Services, Faculty of Architecture, and Faculty of Automobile and Road Building, participated in the Summer Camp AI Masters intensive program at Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), located in the ancient city of Xi'an. For the students, the two weeks in China provided a unique blend of cutting-edge knowledge, cultural discoveries, and genuine student friendship.
Every day, participants immersed themselves in the world of artificial intelligence: lectures and workshops from top experts from around the world allowed our students to explore the latest trends in machine learning, computer vision, and data processing. And during a tour of iFlytek—a Chinese tech giant specializing in voice technology—the students saw firsthand how AI developments are being implemented in real industry and everyday life.
But the learning didn't stop in the classroom. The students immersed themselves in Chinese history: they visited the legendary Goose Pagoda, strolled through the ancient streets of Xi'an, and, of course, visited the Terracotta Army—the eighth wonder of the world—which left a lasting impression on everyone. Learning about cultural traditions was especially enjoyable: everyone happily tried on the elegant Chinese traditional costume, the hanfu, and staged an impromptu photo shoot against the backdrop of ancient temples.
The program culminated in the defense of their AI projects, developed by students in mixed international teams. Our students presented their projects in English with distinction, demonstrating a high level of competence. At the closing ceremony, each SPbGASU participant received a certificate of completion and a commemorative gift from NPU—a symbol of the successful completion of this eventful chapter.
The students' greatest asset was invaluable international experience and dozens of new friends from Asia, Europe, and America. Joint projects, evening discussions, and the exchange of ideas erased language and cultural barriers, proving that science knows no borders. "We returned not only with new knowledge, but also with the feeling that the world had become a little closer," the students shared.
New horizons lie ahead, but this trip has already become a significant milestone in the lives of our students and a shining example of how international collaboration enriches professional and personal experiences.
