Against the backdrop of globalization, international academic exchanges and cooperation have become increasingly frequent. As key institutions for knowledge dissemination and innovation, universities bear the crucial responsibility of cultivating talents with a global perspective.
To further promote Sino-foreign collaboration, enhance talent development, and broaden academic horizons, the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at Peking University organized an undergraduate student exchange program with the University of Manchester.
This visit to the United Kingdom was led by Professor Guo Song, Director of the Department of Environmental Science, and Mrs. Zhan Ziyu, Director of the College’s General Office. The program aimed to provide students with a high-quality platform for cross-cultural exchange and academic exploration.
Academic Exploration: The Allure of Scientific Knowledge and Research
Course Studies and Cutting-Edge Lectures
The itinerary for this exchange program was meticulously designed and arranged by Associate Professor Zheng Zhonghua from the University of Manchester. During their time at the university, students were immersed in advanced academic courses and lectures covering multiple specialized fields, including environmental science, environmental health, and environmental big data.
A total of seven professors delivered lectures as part of this program. Professor Hugh Coe provided an overview of the University of Manchester, including its history, faculty structure, and research achievements. He also introduced the research directions and accomplishments of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Centre for Atmospheric Science, explaining the principles of aerosol-cloud interactions. Professor Paul Connolly taught the concepts of the box model and air parcel model in atmospheric science. Through experiments, he vividly illustrated the Kelvin effect and the principles of cloud droplet formation. Professor David Schultz lectured on the FOAM climate model and shared insights into scientific writing in English. Professor Martin Gallagher introduced the definition and composition of bioaerosols, emphasizing their significance in public health, climate change, and biodiversity. He also demonstrated the instruments used for measuring bioaerosols and explained their working principles. Additionally, he shared his research findings on the diurnal concentration patterns of bioaerosol particle size distribution in the tropical rainforest canopy. Professor Matthew Thomas discussed the application and limitations of linear models and generalized linear models (GLMs) through the relationship between wind speed and temperature, as well as the “fishing net experiment” case study. He emphasized the fundamental research principle that “models should serve the essence of data”. Professor James Allan approached air quality improvement from a policy-making perspective, discussing various intervention measures. Professor David Topping shared research advancements and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in environmental science, offering students new perspectives on interdisciplinary studies between AI and environmental science.
Spanning diverse fields such as environmental science, atmospheric science, policy-making, and artificial intelligence, these lectures provided students with an enriching and in-depth academic experience, effectively broadening their academic horizons.
Laboratory Tour
Professor Hu Dawei led students on a tour of advanced research facilities at the University of Manchester, including the Aerosol Smog Chamber and Ice Cloud Chamber.
The Aerosol Smog Chamber is designed to simulate the chemical transformation of pollutants emitted from sources such as diesel fuel combustion, cooking, and wood burning, leading to the formation of secondary particulate matter. The chamber features a collapsible design, allowing for size adjustments to maintain constant pressure and prevent dilution of reactant concentrations. Additionally, it is equipped with two types of lamps emitting different wavelengths of light. By adjusting the proportion of these light sources, the chamber can more accurately replicate real atmospheric illumination conditions, enabling a more realistic simulation of atmospheric chemical and physical processes.
The Manchester Ice Cloud Chamber is equipped with a 1-meter-diameter vertical fall tube spanning three floors, capable of reaching temperatures as low as -55°C. The chamber can also be sealed and evacuated to simulate upper tropospheric conditions. By inducing adiabatic decompression, the chamber creates supersaturated water vapor, leading to the formation of clouds under controlled conditions. It can generate liquid water clouds, mixed-phase clouds, or fully frozen clouds. The fundamental principle of the cloud chamber is to utilize the condensation of supersaturated vapor to visualize the trajectories of charged particles. When charged particles pass through the chamber, they collide with gas molecules, generating ions that serve as condensation centers for the vapor, forming tiny droplets that trace the motion of the particles.
In the field of environmental science, cloud chambers are valuable for studying cloud and fog physics, including the formation mechanisms, microphysical structures, and evolution of weather modification targets such as clouds, fog, and precipitation. They also facilitate research on the principles and technical methods of weather modification.
This on-site visit allowed students to gain an intuitive understanding of atmospheric chemical and physical processes, such as aerosol-cloud interactions and ice cloud formation. The detailed explanations provided by the professors further deepened their understanding of cutting-edge research in environmental science.
Cultural Exploration: British Charm and Diverse Experiences
First Encounter with British Style
Strolling through the streets of Manchester, students experienced the city’s unique architectural style and profound cultural heritage. From the foggy London depicted in Dickens’ works to the quaint countryside towns described by Austen, scenes from British literature seemed to come to life in every corner of the city. The Manchester Central Library left a deep impression on the students with its majestic and elegant exterior, its peaceful and harmonious reading atmosphere, and the extensive collection of music books.
In-Depth Cultural Tours
The exchange team visited several cultural landmarks, including the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, the Whitworth Art Gallery, the John Rylands Library, and the Manchester Art Gallery. At the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, students paused in front of each exhibit, marveling at the city’s remarkable industrial and scientific development achievements. The exhibits transported them back to a time of groundbreaking innovation, immersing them in Manchester’s rich history of progress. Stepping into the Whitworth Art Gallery, students were immediately enveloped in an atmosphere of modern art. They wandered through halls adorned with diverse artistic styles, fully immersed in the gallery’s multifaceted creative ambiance, where inspiration and artistic expression intertwined. At the John Rylands Library, students were captivated by its vast literary collection, running their fingers over ancient book pages and experiencing the endless charm of knowledge. In the Manchester Art Gallery, every painting narrated a unique story. From classical to contemporary, from realism to abstraction, the artworks showcased Manchester’s profound cultural heritage and distinct artistic allure.
Significance and Gains from the Program
Academic Achievements and Cultural Exchange
This exchange program provided students with a valuable opportunity to systematically explore cutting-edge scientific research in the field of environmental sciences. Through academic courses, students learned about the advanced theories and research models, offering new perspectives for their future research endeavors. On-site visits to research facilities transformed complex scientific principles into intuitive understanding, deepening their professional knowledge. Meanwhile, the cultural exchange allowed students to immerse themselves in British culture, effectively broadening their international horizons and fostering a mindset of cultural inclusivity.
Students’ description about this exchange program
Closing Ceremony
At the closing ceremony of the exchange program, Zheng Zhonghua presented certificates of completion to all students, marking the successful conclusion of this exchange activity. As an important project of educational collaboration between the two universities, this exchange program has built a bridge for academic dialogue among teachers and students of both universities, further deepening practical cooperation between the two sides in academic exchanges and student development.
Future Prospects
The Peking University - University of Manchester Student Exchange Program has been successfully concluded, laying a solid foundation for further cooperation and exchanges between the two universities in the future. In the future, we hope that both institutions will continue to promote and implement more high-quality international education programs, working together to cultivate high-caliber talents with a global perspective.
