June 22-28, 2025, Peking University (PKU) undergraduates gained firsthand experience at China’s sustainability frontier during the Environmental Comprehensive Practicum I (Shenzhen Track). Organized by PKU’s College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (CESE) in collaboration with the School of Environment and Energy(SEE), Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, this intensive field program immersed Beijing-campus undergraduates in Shenzhen’s cutting-edge integration of technology and ecological governance. The initiative powerfully embodied PKU’s "North-South Collaboration and Disciplinary Co-construction" framework, connecting students with real-world applications of "new quality productive forces."
Leveraging SEE’s deep local expertise, students accessed pioneering environmental sites through meticulously coordinated visits. Researcher Ruili Li from SEE guided undergraduates through Futian Mangrove National Nature Reserve, revealing how aerial roots and salt-secreting leaves enable these "coastal guardians" to protect biodiversity while sequestering carbon within the urban landscape. Subsequent visits to the Fengtang River Estuary Ecological Restoration Project and Guangming District Sponge City Development demonstrated Shenzhen’s approach to reconciling urban development with natural resilience.
The transformative power of technology came alive at Gushu Phase II Wastewater Treatment Plant, where advanced processes achieved water purification excellence under the principle "Excellence in Every Drop." At Nanshan Energy Eco-Park, students witnessed how stringent emissions control converted waste-to-energy facilities into community assets, while Bexcom IoT Technology Co., Ltd. showcased AI-driven sensor networks enabling proactive environmental management.
Energy and mobility innovations further illustrated Shenzhen’s green transition. Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station’s multi-layered safety systems and transparent waste management dialogue reshaped student perspectives on sustainable energy. At BYD Headquarters ("Hexagon"), hands-on experience with torque-control EV systems and autonomous Cloud Rail transit revealed engineering pathways to low-carbon transportation.
During the concluding session, students highlighted key insights: the disruptive potential of AI in environmental governance, and the unique advantage of learning across PKU’s dual-campus ecosystem. Professor Huapeng Qin, Dean of SEE, emphasized the strategic vision: "Our ‘Environment Plus’ interdisciplinary mission thrives through North-South collaboration. Integrating Beijing’s academic rigor with Shenzhen’s innovation ecosystem cultivates the versatile talent needed for China’s environmental challenges."
This practicum proved experiential learning’s power to shape future environmental leaders. As undergraduates returned with sharpened professional commitment to "innovation-driven, tech-for-good" principles, CESE and SEE pledged to deepen collaboration – ensuring future cohorts continue gaining vital field insights at sustainability’s global forefront.
