From June 30 to July 14, 2025, Central China Normal University (CCNU), in collaboration with the University of Wollongong, successfully hosted the 2025 International Summer School on "Artificial Intelligence in Education." The two-week program brought together 38 international students from partner universities, including the University of Wollongong and the University of Newcastle (Australia), Herzen State Pedagogical University and Moscow City University (Russia), as well as Newcastle University and the University of Glasgow (UK), for an immersive experience combining academic exchange and cultural exploration.

CCNU President Peng Shuangjie attended the opening ceremony and delivered welcoming remarks. Representatives from the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, the Faculty of AI in Education, and faculty leaders from partner universities also took part in the event.

President Peng emphasized that this year marks the seventh edition of the summer school, with participation reaching a new record high. He noted that the program has become a key platform for advancing CCNU’s internationalization strategy. Highlighting the theme of “AI + Education,” he underlined the university’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, and cross-border dialogue, and inspiring young scholars to explore new paradigms in AI-powered education.

The program featured a series of expert lectures delivered by Professor Dirk Ifenthaler from the University of Mannheim (Germany), Professor Wang Hao from Wuhan University, and Professor Du Xu from CCNU, among others. Based on their academic backgrounds, participants were grouped into eight project teams, where they delved into cutting-edge topics in intelligent education under the guidance of young faculty members from CCNU.

As part of the cultural program, participants visited “The Eternal Love of the Three Gorges” to experience the rich heritage of the Yangtze River civilization. They also toured the world’s largest hydropower project—the Three Gorges Dam—where they visited the exhibition center, the 185-meter observation deck, and other key facilities, gaining firsthand insight into China’s engineering achievements and technological innovations. In addition, students engaged in an immersive experience of traditional folk customs along the Yangtze and watched a local shadow puppetry performance.

While on campus, students not only studied Chinese language and culture but also practiced Tai Chi, learned to craft Wuhan-style dough figurines, and explored traditional Chinese arts in a hands-on environment. They also visited the university’s History Museum, the National Engineering Research Center for Educational Big Data, and the Baidu PaddlePaddle AI Empowerment Center in Wuhan, including a site tour of its subsidiary, Bowaa Technology Co., Ltd.

Sebastian Nicolas Velasco, an undergraduate student majoring in Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Wollongong, remarked: “Through this program, I’ve truly experienced the charm of China and the transformative potential of AI in education.” Anna Mukhanova, a data analytics and management undergraduate from Moscow City University, added: “This experience far exceeded my expectations—we’ve gained both knowledge and lifelong friendships here in Wuhan.”

On July 13, students presented their final group projects and received certificates of completion, marking the successful conclusion of the summer school.

Since 2018, CCNU has leveraged its global academic network to invite undergraduate and graduate students from partner institutions to participate in the summer school on AI in Education. The program has significantly deepened international students' understanding of Chinese culture and AI-driven education, while also enhancing CCNU’s global visibility in the field of intelligent education.