From January 22nd to February 2nd, Khalifa University's Multi-University Youth Winter Camp was officially held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. China University of Petroleum (Beijing) (CUP) organized a group of 26 outstanding students from 7 universities, including Peking University, Shandong University, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, North China Electric Power University, China University of Petroleum (East China), and China University of Mining and Technology, to participate in the camp.
This event marked the first multi-university international student activity hosted by Khalifa University, as well as the first multi-university overseas winter camp organized by China University of Petroleum (Beijing). The camp featured a diverse array of activities. During the two-week period, students visited the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and energy institutions, held a series of energy lectures, laboratory tours, and "Chinese University Open Day" events, allowing students to appreciate the local culture and customs.
At the opening ceremony, Mahmoud Kutairi, the Deputy Provost of Khalifa University, expressed his hope that the winter camp would enhance exchange and cooperation in scientific research and education between the UAE and China, inspire the innovative vitality of young students, and contribute to creating a better future for both countries. The teachers leading the delegation from China University of Petroleum (Beijing) expressed their gratitude to Khalifa University for their warm reception and thoughtful arrangements. They also indicated that CUP was willing to work with Khalifa University to continuously deepen cooperation between the two universities, promote win-win development, and jointly foster mutual understanding between the two countries.
The winter camp focused on nine major themes, including energy, environment, artificial intelligence, aerospace, etc. Khalifa University professors delivered a series of English academic lectures, including "Green Energy Transition at Khalifa University," "Major Application Areas of CCUS Technology," "The Future of Artificial Intelligence," and more. Participants also visited multiple national key laboratories and research centers.
Members of the winter camp visited the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Shafeela Haidros, a senior expert from the Education and Scholarship Department of ADNOC, introduced the company's development history, technological innovation, and future vision to the camp participants. She expressed the company's willingness to provide various scholarships, internships, and job opportunities for outstanding students, and encouraged them to contribute to the energy cooperation between China and the UAE. Through the visit, the members gained a deeper understanding of the history and current status of the oil and gas industry in the UAE.
In addition, the winter camp members toured notable landmarks such as the Presidential Palace and Louvre Abu Dhabi, admiring the cityscape and experiencing the local culture and customs. During the "Chinese University Open Day" event, faculty and students from China University of Petroleum (Beijing) actively showcased and promoted their institution and traditional Chinese culture. They also presented several outstanding cultural programs at the farewell dinner, including an enthusiastic performance of the song "I Dedicate The Oil To My Motherland".
The winter camp was conducted under the framework of the UNESCO Chair on "Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change Driving Green Transition," focusing on themes of "dual carbon" goals and energy green transition. As part of the university's series of activities related to "carbon neutrality, energy green transition, and international competency," it received positive responses from the Youth Working Group of the "Belt and Road" Energy Partnership Cooperation Network and various member universities of the World Energy University Network.
This winter camp holds significant importance and profound influence in deepening the cooperation between the university and Khalifa University, broadening students' international perspective, promoting exchanges between energy-focused youths from China and the UAE, and advancing the green development of the "Belt and Road" initiative between the two countries.
Khalifa University is a leading institution of higher education in the Middle East, fully supported by the UAE government and an important strategic partner of China University of Petroleum (Beijing). Since 2009, CUP has established a solid cooperative relationship with Khalifa University, signing and actively implementing strategic cooperation agreements. This partnership has yielded positive results in joint talent cultivation, deepening scientific research cooperation, and strengthening collaborative innovation. Since 2022, CUP has sent over 40 students to Khalifa University for exchange studies.