Amid accelerating transformation in the global energy and power sector and the rise of new productive forces as a core driver of development, the 2025 Shanghai Summer School for Outstanding Energy & Power Engineers amid New Productive Forces—hosted by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and organized by Shanghai Dianji University—was successfully held from June 25 to July 22. Thirty faculty members and students from 14 countries engaged in a four-week immersive program, bridging cutting-edge technology and cultural exchange at the intersection of theory and practice. This initiative has set a compelling precedent for cultivating global engineering talent in the era of new productive forces.

Shanghai Summer School (3S), sponsored by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, has become one of Shanghai's key platforms for international educational cooperation and exchange since its launch in 2008. With the core mission of promoting Sino-foreign educational integration and cross-cultural communication among young scholars, the program leverages Shanghai's high-quality higher education resources to create a global platform integrating academic study, cultural immersion, and hands-on exploration for students worldwide. This year's "Outstanding Energy & Power Engineers" program represents 3S's innovative practice in focusing on cutting-edge fields and deepening industry-education collaboration.

This year's Shanghai Summer School (3S) program, meticulously designed around the demands of new quality productive forces, delivered a comprehensive educational experience at the forefront of energy and power development. Through a blend of academic rigor and hands-on industry exposure, the initiative brought together global talents to explore sustainable energy solutions while witnessing China's manufacturing advancements firsthand. The curriculum featured specialized courses and high-level lectures covering critical areas including new energy systems management, renewable energy motor technologies, and advanced engineering software applications, with direct learning from field-leading experts. Participants further enriched their perspectives at the 14th International Clean Energy Conference, contributing to vital discussions on energy transition strategies for achieving carbon neutrality goals. Beyond the classroom, the program organized immersive visits to Shanghai Electric-KSB Nuclear Power Equipment, Lenze Shanghai Drive Systems, and LAPP Cable Manufacturing facilities. These site engagements allowed attendees to observe nuclear component production lines and smart manufacturing systems in operation, translating theoretical knowledge into practical understanding while experiencing China's dynamic innovation ecosystem in advanced equipment manufacturing. By integrating academic excellence, industry collaboration, and cross-cultural exchange, the 2025 session has further solidified 3S's role in cultivating globally competent engineers ready to tackle energy challenges through the lens of new quality productivity.

Cultural exchange stood out as a defining highlight of this summer school, presenting vibrant scenes of multicultural integration. Students immersed themselves in hands-on experiences with intangible cultural heritage crafts—painting lacquer fans, crafting mugwort massage hammers, and sewing aromatic sachets—each touch and stroke allowing them to feel the warmth of Chinese traditional craftsmanship. Through learning paper-cutting and calligraphy, and participating in folk activities like dumpling-making, they discovered the poetic charm of everyday Chinese life, where the elegance of ink brushes met the lively atmosphere of communal cooking. The intercultural choir performances at the music gala and the collaborative competitions during the fun sports day became cherished moments, as laughter and camaraderie blossomed into lasting international friendships among participants.

Moreover, the summer school meticulously curated a series of educational excursions to immerse participants in Shanghai's urban charm. At the China Maritime Museum, they traced the origins of oceanic civilization; in the Earthen Cloth Research Center, their fingertips connected with living intangible cultural heritage; while at Xisha Pearl Lake Wetland Park, they witnessed first-hand the achievements of ecological conservation. The Shanghai Museum unveiled millennia of cultural continuity through its priceless collections, and a leisurely citywalk around People's Square immersed them in the vibrant pulse of modern metropolitan life. From historical heritage to modern vitality, from natural wonders to cultural elegance, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the "Chinese approach" embedded within Shanghai's urban development narrative.

The successful hosting of the "2025 Shanghai Summer School for Outstanding Energy & Power Engineers amid New Productive Forces" not only marks a significant implementation of Shanghai Dianji University's "Openness for Prosperity" philosophy, but also represents an innovative exploration in cultivating international engineering talent during this new era of productivity development. Looking ahead, the university will use this program as a platform to further expand global partnerships, pioneer new industry-education collaboration models, and support Shanghai's transformation into a world-class hub for technological innovation and international education exchange.