From July 6 to 10, 2026, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School (PKUSZ) successfully hosted the2026 International Summer Exploration Camp: Exploring the Future, Innovating in the Greater Bay Area. Supported by the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Hetao Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SHINES) at PKUSZ, the five-day program brought together nearly 80 outstanding young participants from 27 countries and regions, including Hong Kong and Taiwan of China. Through four signature components—distinguished lectures, academic exchange, corporate visits, and cultural immersion—the camp offered participants an immersive experience of PKUSZ’s academic excellence and the innovative spirit of Shenzhen.
Distinguished Lectures: Rooted in China, Connected to the World, Cultivating Cross-Cultural Leadership
The International Summer Exploration Camp officially opened on the morning of July 7. Wang Tianbing, Vice Chancellor of PKUSZ, delivered the welcome address, extending a warm welcome toparticipants from diverse countries and regions. He introduced the School’s 25-year journey of development, highlighting how PKUSZ has leveraged the strengths of Peking University while taking root in Shenzhen to build a future-oriented innovation ecosystem. He encouraged participants to immerse themselves in the open and inclusive academic environment of PKUSZ and experience Shenzhen’s dynamic innovation landscape firsthand. He also expressed his sincere hope that more outstanding young talents would choose PKUSZ for their future studies and wished the camp every success.
Academic Exchange: Seven Discipline-Based Sub-Camps Exploring the Frontiers of Knowledge
Academic exchange formed the core of this year’s program. The camp featured sevendiscipline-based sub-camps, including six in science and engineering and one in the humanities and social sciences. Participants selected their preferredsub-camps based on their academic background and interests, engaging in in-depth seminars, laboratory visits, and face-to-face discussions with distinguished faculty members as well as current master's and doctoral students.
Corporate Visits: Experiencing Innovation at the Forefront of the Greater Bay Area
Participants visited the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, XtalPi Inc., Shenzhen Hetao University, Tencent Binhai Headquarters, and Insta360. These visits provided firsthand insights into institutional innovations supporting cross-border scientific collaboration, the latest advances in AI-driven drug discovery,adiversified ecosystem spanning instant messaging and industrial internet services, and integrated smart imaging technologies covering both hardware and software. Through these experiences, participants gained a deeper appreciation of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a global hub for scientific and technological innovation.
Cultural Immersion: Experiencing China Through Diverse Cultural Activities
Throughout the camp, participants took part in a rich variety of Chinese cultural experiences. They explored the artistry of Chinese calligraphy and paper-cutting, discovering the enduring charm of traditional Chinese culture through brush and paper. Sightseeing tours across Futian and Nanshan districts offered a glimpse into Shenzhen’s vibrant modern cityscape, while sports activities—including badminton, table tennis, and billiards—provided opportunities to build friendships through friendly competition. In the evenings, students spontaneously gathered for guitar performances, filling the campus of Nanyanyuan with the warmth of English folk songs and creating unforgettable memories together.
Closing Ceremony: Planting the Seeds of Exploration
The 2026 International Summer Exploration Campcame to a successful close on July 10. The closing ceremony consisted of two sessions. Staff members from the University Town Library of Shenzhen first introduced the library’s collections and digital resources, offering practical guidance on academic research and information retrieval. A highlight video then revisited the memorable moments of the previous five days. Lin Honghai, Director of the Office of Academic Affairs at PKUSZ, delivered the closing remarks. Drawing on his own experiences in study and professional life, he encouraged participants to continue exploring the world, building meaningful connections with others, and deepening their understanding of themselves while maintaining an enduring passion for learning.
Seven participants from different countries and regions shared their reflections on the camp, and their heartfelt remarks resonated strongly with the audience. Participants also wrote messages of gratitude and best wishes to PKUSZ on commemorative Peking University postcards. The ceremony concluded with a group sing-along ofBoundless Oceans, Vast Skies andSee You Again, followed by Lin Honghai's performance of the Mongolian folk songHongyan (The Wild Geese), bringing this remarkable journey of exploration to a warm and memorable close.
The successful hosting of the 2026 International Summer Exploration Camp further demonstrated PKUSZ’s growing appeal and influence as Peking University’s international campus rooted in Shenzhen. Bringing together outstanding young people from around the world, the camp created a platform for exploring innovation opportunities in the Greater Bay Area, inspiring intellectual exchange through academic dialogue and fostering mutual understanding through cultural interaction.More importantly, it planted the seeds of exploration, collaboration, and friendship, inspiring these talented young people to engage with a broader world and become bridges connecting China and the global community through cross-cultural exchange.
