In March this year, 14 outstanding undergraduate and postgraduate students from leading universities in India, Indonesia, and Nepal gathered at the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FoSE) for the China Exchange Programme for Young International Talent, themed "Innovative Sustainable Waste Management". During the intensive month-long programme, they undertook a complete research journey—from theoretical learning to practical innovation—experiencing first-hand FoSE's advanced teaching philosophy and research environment, while collectively envisioning a greener future for smart cities.
"The university overall strikes me as a top-notch research institution, which is very evident," commented M. Harsh Kumar, a postgraduate student from the Indian Institute of Technology Indore, one of India's premier technological institutions.
"The university overall strikes me as a top-notch research institution, which is very evident," commented M. Harsh Kumar, a postgraduate student from the Indian Institute of Technology Indore, one of India's premier technological institutions.
Responding to real-world challenges: the classroom as an innovation laboratory
"Sustainable waste management is a major challenge currently faced by many countries around the world," said Dr Pushpendu Kar, Associate Professor in Computer Science at UNNC and Principal Investigator, explaining the programme's starting point. Moving beyond traditional classroom teaching, FoSE transformed the learning environment into an innovation laboratory. Students from diverse academic backgrounds—including Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Electronic Information and Software Engineering—formed interdisciplinary teams. They applied technologies such as Internet of Things, Digital Twins, Blockchain, and AI to explore the development of safer, more transparent, accurate, and efficient intelligent waste management systems, using technology to address real-world needs.
In the initial phase, under Dr Pushpendu’s guidance, students quickly completed literature reviews and performance simulations comparing existing waste management systems. They then progressed to constructing solution models and analysing system architectures. The curriculum was both intensive and carefully structured: from specialised lectures on IoT, blockchain and machine learning in the first week, to subsequent stages of system architecture design, simulation and result analysis – each step closely aligned with practical application requirements.
Particularly noteworthy was the programmes’s innovative teaching approach. Given the time constraints and ambitious innovation goals, the FoSE teaching team meticulously designed a full simulation-based implementation pathway that replicated real-world environments. This approach not only reduced the costs associated with trial-and-error in hardware experiments but also provided students with a safe space to explore new technologies with confidence.
Beyond technology: broadening horizons at FoSE
For the international students, the benefits of the programme extended far beyond the enhancement of technical skills. "The biggest takeaway for me has been developing a way of thinking to solve real-world problems. Looking back over the past two weeks, I can see that my thinking has changed, which will guide me positively in my academic career," said M. Harsh Kumar.
Angelia, a Master's student from Indonesia, shared similar sentiments, "The entire programme has given me many new insights and unique perspectives, allowing me to learn things that are not available at my home university." Drawing on his expertise in IoT and AI, Dr Pushpendu collaborated with several faculty members from related disciplines to provide hands-on system training and cutting-edge lectures, ensuring the programme combined academic depth with practical relevance.
The international supervisory team fostered an open and inclusive academic environment while also offering careful guidance on data ethics, privacy protection and experimental safety. This ensured that, as students explored cutting-edge technologies, they remained committed to academic integrity and social responsibility. "FoSE's infrastructure is also impressive. Whether for study, research or hobbies, students can find excellent support on campus," Angelia added.
After four weeks of intensive collaboration, the 14 international students successfully developed a virtual prototype of an efficient, reliable and safe automated waste management system, offering a scalable blueprint for future urban environmental governance.
FoSE has consistently upheld sustainable development as one of its core values, and is committed to cultivating the next generation of talent equipped with both a sustainability mindset and practical skills. Through its advanced curriculum, cutting-edge research platforms and inclusive academic ecosystem, FoSE is becoming an ideal destination for young people from around the world to explore technological frontiers and address the shared challenges facing humanity.