Peking University, August 10, 2023: The opening ceremony of the PKU Summer School International 2023 on Fundamental Physics (PKUSSI) unfolded on August 7 at the School of Physics' lecture hall. A stellar assembly of over 50 students from universities around the world were attracted to partake in the summer school. 

The event was graced by Gong Qihuang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and president of Peking University, Zhang Jie, academician of the CAS and the chairman of the Chinese Physical Society, Wang Yifang, academician of the CAS and director of the Institute of High Energy Physics, CAS, and Gao Yuaning, academician of the CAS and dean of PKU’s School of Physics.

Inaugurating the event, Gong Qihuang, on behalf of Peking University (PKU), conveyed a warm welcome to all attendees. He underscored the paramount importance of fostering an inclusive and cooperative framework in higher education. President Gong emphasized PKU's pioneering role in both domestic and international academic pursuits, an embodiment of its commitment to global learning and collaborative endeavors. This year, designated as PKU's "Global Engagement Year," witnesses the luminous confluence of knowledge and culture with the monumental PKUSSI 2023 on Fundamental Physics.
 

Gong Qihuang

Gong eloquently expressed the allure of physics and extolled the virtue of acquiring profound insights into the cosmos through the prism of physics, enriching our perception of the universe we inhabit. Gong ardently hoped that the budding scholars would nourish their scientific acumen through the enriching lectures and further engender a cross-cultural exchange, nurturing friendships that transcend borders.

Zhang Jie

Prof. Zhang Jie, in his address via video links, illuminated the significance of the ongoing International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD), endorsed by the United Nations and supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP). This period, spanning 2022 to 2023, highlights the pivotal role of basic sciences, notably physics, in confronting global challenges. The insights garnered from these sciences empower us to decipher the intricate interplay between human activities and our fragile planet, Zhang noted, who envisioned the participants of this Summer School as torchbearers of sustainable development, poised to sculpt a better world through collective action and shared knowledge.
 

Luca Greczmiel

Luca Greczmiel, a student representative from Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, shared his aspirations during the event. He articulated how the meticulous curriculum of the summer school would lay a bedrock for his academic pursuits. The program's allure extended beyond the classroom, offering a profound immersion in Chinese culture and the breathtaking landscapes of Beijing, fostering enduring friendships and treasured memories.

Wang Yifang

Over the ensuing three weeks, PKUSSI promises a riveting academic experience, with a constellation of over ten revered experts in the realm of physics, both domestic and international, gracing the lectern. A curated spectrum of on- and off-campus activities will further enrich the participants' experience. The ceremonious proceedings segued into an enlightening presentation by Academician Wang Yifang, delving into the frontiers of high-energy physics and illuminating China's burgeoning opportunities in this realm, heralding the official commencement of this transformative endeavor.

Group photo

Written by: Fu Jiaqi
Edited by: Dennis Meng
Source: PKU News (Chinese)