At the opening ceremony, Professor Chen Cailian, Chinese Dean of the Institute, welcomed the campers and encouraged them to “maintain scientific curiosity and strengthen mathematical foundations,” uphold long-termism in a rapidly changing era, and plan their personal growth with an international perspective.

Ms. Zhong Huimei, Director of Domestic Admissions, introduced the 130-year history and disciplinary strengths of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, as well as the Sino-French integrated talent cultivation model of the Paris Elite Institute of Technology. She also provided a systematic explanation of admissions policies and distinctive training features.

Associate Professor Zhang Chaoyang, head of the “Xuesen Challenge Program,” outlined the overall arrangements of the “Everything Connected” Winter Camp and explained its core positioning: focusing on next-generation information and communication technologies, intelligent Internet of Things, and cross-domain collaborative technologies, guiding students to perceive technological connectivity and industrial transformation in the digital era.

Associate Professor Gong Helin, head of the “Dengfeng Program,” introduced the “Intelligent Twin Constellation” Winter Camp under the theme of “Exploring the Application Capabilities of Frontier Large Language Models in Complex Systems Engineering,” helping campers build a holistic understanding of subsequent practical sessions. Rooted in intelligent digital twins, advanced engineering modeling, and future technology exploration, the camp aimed to help students establish a complete cognitive framework from theoretical understanding to engineering application.

During the student sharing session, current student representatives Cui Zhipu and Xu Ziheng shared detailed experiences on university selection, exam preparation, professional study, scientific research practice, overseas exchange, and personal development. Drawing from engineering learning methods and cross-cultural experiences, they presented a rich and promising blueprint for university growth.

The two themed camps advanced in parallel, each with distinctive characteristics. Campers joined according to their interests and were challenged to complete the full process from theoretical learning to application development within four days, achieving a deep transition from “listening” to “doing.”

Under the guidance of Associate Professor Zhang Chaoyang’s team, campers conducted hands-on practice centered on Bluetooth communication prototype development. Starting from requirement decomposition, they completed hardware selection, circuit connection, learning principles of Bluetooth and IoT, and signal information encoding. From understanding communication protocols and building system architectures to testing data transmission and optimizing system stability, participants engaged in stability competitions through feedback regulation to achieve optimal Bluetooth output performance. They successfully developed prototypes with precise data acquisition functions and truly experienced the rigor and enjoyment of embedded development.

Associate Professor Gong Helin’s team systematically introduced the application scenarios and operational procedures of CNNC’s CORCA software and the independently developed large language model AICO. Campers worked in groups to complete precision assembly of the “Hualong One” block model, control code debugging, and digital twin system construction. Through visualization linking the virtual and the real, they formed an intuitive understanding of industrial-grade digital twin applications and enhanced their engineering collaboration and problem-solving abilities.

During the final presentation session on February 6, groups from both programs demonstrated the operation of Bluetooth prototypes and digital twin demos, sharing technical reflections and teamwork insights from project development while strengthening their comprehensive abilities in academic presentation.

Beyond technology, the humanities were equally indispensable. Professor Cao Hui, Chair of the Department of French and Russian at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, delivered a special lecture titled “Cultural Ferrymen.” Starting from cognitive differences in cross-cultural communication, she guided campers to understand the layers and power of cultural expression through vivid approaches such as “conveying values through objects” and “storytelling first.”

Associate Professor Yuan Yijia, Director of the Teaching Development Center, delivered a lecture titled “Entering the Francophone World,” leading campers to experience French pronunciation and basic conversations, and to appreciate the unique charm of the Francophone world through glimpses of French etiquette, cuisine, and festivals.

Technology and the humanities resonated together in the same classroom, making this winter not only about code, but also about warmth.

Four days may not be long, but they are enough for a seed to sprout. From campus tours to laboratory visits, from academic lectures to hands-on practice, from cross-cultural classrooms to closing presentations—the campers were not merely visitors, but participants and creators. Broadening their horizons through academic enlightenment and strengthening their abilities through collaborative challenges, this winter camp was both an initiation into engineering and a rehearsal for the future.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Student Innovation Center, the Li Zhengdao Library, and other supporting units for their strong support. The Paris Elite Institute of Technology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, upholding the philosophy of “solid foundations, diverse development, global vision, and industry excellence,” looks forward to welcoming more aspiring young students to join us and gallop across the vast field of scientific innovation toward excellence together.