From Jul.29th to Aug.8th, the 2014 Tongji-Kyushu University Summer School organized by College of Environmental Science and Engineering (CESE) and UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (IESD) was held successfully in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan and Shanghai, China. During which, 15 students from CESE、IESD and College of Architecture and Urban Planning in Tongji University went to Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan for 8 days to participate in this summer school. Meanwhile, 6 students from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Japan in Kyushu University also took part in this program and hold a 3-day study and investigation tour later in Shanghai.

This is the 5th year for the annual Tongji-Kyushu Summer School program, which aims at promoting comprehension and meditation of students on major related environment and sustainability in South-Asia, including water treatment, disaster prevention etc., as well as providing an opportunity for the communication between the two universities in culture and thought.

During the summer school in Japan, students had visited Kyushu University and its camp site (Kyudai yamano ie). Students had then visited Sea Water Desalination Plant, Rinkai Incineration Plant, Sanno Rain Water Regulating Pond, Geothermal Power Plant and Fukuoka Citizen’s Disaster Preventiong center. Furthermore, Kyushu University had also arranged barbecue and other various cultural activities for teachers and students from Tongji University to enhance the communication and culture exchange between countries.

The lecture on “Activities of the Fukuoka Prefectural Government in the area of the environment” given by Mr. Mitsumasa IKEDA (Department of Environmental Affiars, Fukuoka Prefectural Government) in Kyushu University preluded this trip to Japan, the water supply center on campus also deeply impressed the students. In the following parts of this program, students not only got detailed information about the mature Japanese techniques in water and waste treatment, but also witnessed the emphases laid on cleanness and sustainability by Japanese, especially their idea of 3R principles—that is Reduce、Reuse and Recycle.

There is a Chinese saying "learning without thinking is labor lost." Both the two Universities and the faculty hope the students not only acquire knowledge, but also take advantages of this trip to Japan and develop their own perspectives. The students of Tongji University and Kyushu University had group discussions concerning the issues such as sea water desalination, solid waste disposal in major cities, sewage treatment in China and Japan. The students shared opinions, reflected deeply and then presented their achievements, receiving praises from professors of both universities.

After that, 6 Japanese students came to China and visited the Sewage Disposal Plant in Wuxi New District, Laogang Waste Incineration Plant and Waste Landfill Site. Because of that, they were able to have direct knowledge of current environmental manipulation in China.

Professor Xiaoli Chai from College of Environmental Science and Engineering told the students: "Regarding to the current stage of economic development in China, we are facing very serious environmental issues. Finding a proper solution is our goal. I hope students maintain the good habits of waste separating and saving water and food. I hope you keep studying hard, and try to improve your professional knowledge and skills to address the environmental issues.”

The 2014 Tongji-Kyushu Summer School was also a tour of culture, which enhanced the cultural communication and experience between both of the universities, and from which the teachers and students have forged a profound friendship.