Recently, the two-week cognitive practice for international students majoring in Civil Engineering in China has successfully concluded. Centering on the theme of integrating theory with practice and promoting exchanges and mutual learning between China and other countries, the instruction team led 24 international students from various countries, including Morocco, to visit more than 10 enterprises and public institutions, where they participated in a colorful and vivid series of activities for professional cognition and practical training.
During the cognitive practice, the students visited more than 10 enterprises and venues related to marine engineering, bridge construction, green building materials, urban planning, construction management, engineering testing, welding technology, and other fields in succession. Through a variety of forms including on-site observation, technical presentations, forum exchanges, special lectures and experience sharing, they built an integrated learning system featuring observing, listening, inquiring, reflecting, and communicating.
On the first day of the practice, the students learned about the objectives and content of the cognitive practice as well as mastered the methods involved in the practice during the kick-off meeting. Then, they visited China National Petroleum Corporation Offshore Engineering (Qingdao) Co., Ltd. to learn about cutting-edge technologies in marine engineering; Shandong Hi-Speed Qingdao Highway Co., Ltd. to study the design and maintenance knowledge of cross-sea bridges; Qingdao Green Sail Recycled Building Materials Co., Ltd. to gain a hands-on understanding of resource utilization technologies for various construction wastes; and the Qingdao Urban Planning Exhibition Hall to systematically comprehend the important role of civil engineering in urban development.
The kick-off meeting for the cognitive practice
Visiting the China National Petroleum Corporation Offshore Engineering (Qingdao) Co., Ltd.
Visiting the Shandong Hi-Speed Qingdao Highway Co., Ltd.
Visiting the Qingdao Green Sail Recycled Building Materials Co., Ltd.
A visit to Qingdao Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
The students also paid a visit to Shandong Branch of the Third Construction Co., Ltd. of China Construction First Group to learn about the management system of large-scale construction enterprises; visited Qingdao Haohe Construction and Building Materials Technology Co., Ltd. to understand material innovation and prefabricated construction technologies; stepped into Qingdao Jianguo Engineering Testing Co., Ltd. to study testing methods and equipments for engineering materials; and experienced the relentless pursuit of excellence in welding processes at the Welding Technology R&D Center of Sinopec Tenth Construction Co., Ltd. In addition, they visited Guzhenkou Campus and the University History Museum (Xiaoshiguan) of China University of Petroleum (East China), further comprehending the supporting role of universities in the cultivation of civil engineering talents.
Visiting the Shandong Branch of the Third Construction Co., Ltd. of China Construction First Group
Visiting the Qingdao Haohe Construction and Building Materials Technology Co., Ltd.
在青岛建国工程检测有限公司实习
Visiting the Qingdao Jianguo Engineering Testing Co., Ltd.
Carefully listening to the details at the Welding Technology R&D Center of Sinopec No. 10 Construction Co., Ltd.
Students carefully listening to the introduction in the history museum of UPC.
During the practice summary and exchange session, an undergraduate international student of who joined our university in 2019 was invited to share insights into his academic experience in China, life adaptation and career development plan via online meeting. This activity facilitated interactions among international students at different academic years in China, helping new students better integrate into the academic environment and navigate their development directions.
与一位2019年来华本科留学生视频连线
Online meeting with an undergraduate international student who came to China in 2019
认识实习总结交流会
Summary and Exchange Meeting for the Cognitive Practice
All the students mentioned that this practical experience gave them a more profound understanding of the major. From the magnificent construction of buildings and bridges to the sophisticated layout of energy facilities, and from the rigorous application of engineering testing technologies to the innovative practice of green and low-carbon building materials, they came to a profound realization that civil engineering is not only a core pillar supporting various types of engineering construction, but also undertakes a crucial mission in advancing the concept of green development and driving a sustainable development of society.
The advisors leading the practice stated that while expanding students’ engineering horizons, this cognitive practice also provided ideas for optimizing practice content in the future, such as incorporating practical modules like smart agricultural engineering and on-site teaching at under-construction projects. The department of Civil Engineering will continue to expand university-enterprise cooperation, to advance the education model that integrates on-site observation, on-the-job experience and practical application, and cultivate interdisciplinary civil engineering talents with both technical competence and an international perspective.
This cognitive practice is not only a solid professional education program, but also features an in-depth Sino-foreign cultural exchange event. The department of civil engineering will keep improving its international talent training system, empower international students to contribute their wisdom to the Belt and Road Initiative and global engineering construction, and jointly lay the engineering foundation for a community with a shared future for mankind.
作者：陈金平 张雪松 张如林 任杰
