The 6th Future Physicist International Summer Camp (FPISC) officially opened on July 2, 2018. By July 8, 60 attendees from Harvard University, Yale University, Caltech University, Western Australia University, Heidelberg University, Twente University, National University of Singapore and other dozens of foreign universities and the University of Science and Technology of China have spent a meaningful and enjoyable week, together approaching the frontier physics, appreciating Chinese culture as well as art, colliding with each other in culture and academics.
11 professional lectures were held covering a wide range of physics subjects. There were the use of physical methods for the exploration of life sciences, the frontiers of quantum computers and quantum storage, the simulation of galaxies in astronomy, the industrialization of optical printing, the underground engineering detection of neutrino-free beta decay and many other scientific frontiers. While listening to the report, the campers also raised their own questions and expressed opinions on some issues. The discussion on the spot was heated.
In addition to scientific lectures, the physics camp also arranged visits to laboratories related to the report. The school’s seniors were very enthusiastic and explained the experimental equipment and principles to the campers in detail. When visiting the Tokamak installation, the foreign campers were very curious about this behemoth and were very excited to be able to get close to the device. After the explanation, they were still very curious to ask about the details of the equipment and communicate with the campers from USTC.
Apart from academic exchanges, foreign campers also caught a glimpse of profound Chinese culture – calligraphy, tea culture, Chinese language and Chinese classical music.
In the calligraphy class and the Chinese language class, the teacher talked about the history of the evolution of Chinese characters, and used simple Chinese characters to demonstrate the evolution of Chinese hieroglyphics, so that each camper has a deeper understanding of the long history of Chinese character culture and its heritage. Every camper was eager to try, ask the teacher on the spot and write a calligraphy work that they love.
In the tea culture class, the teacher explained the classification and difference of traditional Chinese tea in detail and demonstrated the traditional tea art of Fujian Kung Fu Tea. Finally, the teacher distributed the brewed tea and tea bags to each group of campers, letting each camper use the knowledge learned in the tea class to identify and gave everyone a chance to enjoy the tea.
At the lecture of Chinese traditional musical instruments organized by the China University of Science and Technology, the presenter used film and audio to show the importance of Chinese classical music in traditional culture, and explained in detail the subtle differences between the sounds of various instruments. After the lecture, in the free trial of various traditional musical instruments, members of the club taught the campers at home and abroad hand by hand, allowing them blow the bamboo flute, play the pipa, the zither and the erhu for the first time.
Campers got to know each other during the week, understanding the cultures and lifestyles of each other’s countries,especially each other’s colleges and teaching models. In the process of exploring the food and beauty of Hefei, the friendship between each other has been enhanced.
The Future Physicist International Summer Camp is a cross-cultural exchange program jointly organized by physics department of USTC,Academic Affairs Office and the International Cooperation and Exchange Department. It aims to build a platform for mutual exchange and learning for world-class students who are interested in becoming future physicists. It is an important measure for our school to promote the internationalization process of student training, broaden the breadth and depth of USTC, and enhance international popularity. It has gradually become one of the important brands of students’ international exchange activities. So far, the future summer camp of physicists has been successfully held for five times.