From July 18 to July 27, 2025, 16 students from the School of Agriculture and Biology of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) went to Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands to participate in a summer school. The participating students included undergraduates and postgraduates majoring in five disciplines: Plant Science, Animal Science, Resources and Environment, Food Science and Technology, and Smart Agriculture. With the theme of "Smart Agriculture", this five-day summer school was funded by the "Dream-Aiding and Sailing" Program of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The program provided students with a cutting-edge academic exchange platform and arranged a variety of practical visit activities, enabling students to learn about international frontier agricultural technologies, gain in-depth experience in the practical application of agriculture, and feel the charm of Dutch history and culture.

Cutting-Edge Technology and Interdisciplinary Exchange

During the one-week summer school, students participated in a rich variety of academic activities, and the course content covered multiple key fields of smart agriculture. Through in-depth theoretical learning, students mastered the basic principles, concepts, and technologies of smart agricultural technologies, as well as their applicability and limitations. The courses covered various fields such as sustainable agriculture, food science, greenhouse horticulture and vertical agriculture, and plant breeding. At the same time, through the learning method combining theory and practice, students gained an understanding of the practical application of smart agricultural technologies in modern agriculture in multiple fields. The practical application and case analysis of AI tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT) technology, 3D food printing technology, soft robots, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were introduced.

Practice and Exploration: From Laboratory to Field

In addition to classroom learning, students also participated in field visits and group projects. At the Phenomea Laboratory, students learned about the latest progress in post-harvest processing technology; at the NPEC Greenhouse, they gained in-depth knowledge of innovative practices in greenhouse automation and vertical agriculture. In the group project session, students discussed practical issues in smart agriculture and proposed innovative solutions.

The students also visited WUR's Dairy Campus, the Future Farm, and Bayer Seed Company. At WUR's Dairy Campus, they learned about the full-chain technology of smart dairy industry, from cow health monitoring to the digital management of dairy processing; at the Future Farm, they witnessed the intelligent practice of the entire industrial chain from "seed to table" in the Netherlands; at Bayer Seed Company, they learned about the latest progress in smart breeding, and took tomatoes as an example to understand the application of gene editing technology in improving crop flavor.

Cultural Visits: Experiencing the Humanistic Charm of the Netherlands

Amid the intense academic activities, the school specially arranged a series of rich cultural visit activities for the students. The students visited the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands and appreciated the precious paintings of this post-impressionist master; they strolled along the banks of the Rhine River and experienced the unique water town scenery of the Netherlands. These cultural activities not only enriched the students' extracurricular life but also enabled them to gain a deeper understanding of Dutch history and culture.

Cooperation and Outlook: Building a Bridge for SJTU to Connect with the World

Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands is a world-top university in the field of agriculture and life sciences. Since its establishment in 1918, WUR has been committed to promoting the sustainable development of global agriculture through scientific research, and its core mission is "to explore the way of coordinated development between nature and society and create a healthier and more sustainable life for mankind". WUR has outstanding academic influence in the fields of agricultural science, food science, environmental science, and biotechnology, and has ranked first in the world in the QS Agriculture & Forestry subject ranking for consecutive years.

The School of Agriculture and Biology of Shanghai Jiao Tong University has always been committed to cultivating high-quality talents with an international perspective and innovative capabilities. This summer school not only allowed students to acquire knowledge but also enhanced their communication and cooperation abilities in a cross-cultural environment. Zhao Shurui, the head of the student group, said, "Participating in the summer school of Wageningen University is a highly valuable academic and cultural experience, and an excellent opportunity to expand professional horizons and conduct cross-cultural exchanges."

The successful holding of this summer school has not only opened up a new way for the cooperation between Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Wageningen University but also injected new vitality into international exchanges and cooperation in the field of smart agriculture. In the future, the two universities will continue to deepen cooperation in scientific research collaboration and talent exchange, jointly promote agricultural science and technology innovation, and contribute to the sustainable development of global agriculture.