The 2024 "International Course Week" at SichuanUniversityofficially opened on the evening of June 30, 2024. Scholars and experts from 32 countries and regions brought a rich variety of all-English courses to students at Sichuan University. On the morning of July 1st, Professor Ludwig Cardon from Ghent University in Belgium delivered the first class of the course "Product Development, Polymer Processing, and Additive Manufacturing" to the undergraduate students of the Class of 2022 at Room B201, Building 1, Jiang'an Campus of Sichuan University.

During the first class, Professor Cardon introduced Ghent University and used videos and images to give students an understanding of the local natural landscapes and cultural customs. With his humorous and friendly demeanor, Professor Cardon captivated the students, who listened attentively. He then outlined the four-day course schedule, which focused on additive manufacturing, a field with significant development potential. The course covered the background of its development, the basic principles of different technologies, and their application scope, presented in a way that was both comprehensive and accessible.

Not only did Professor Cardon provide detailed explanations of some specialized knowledge in additive manufacturing, but he also emphasized cultivating students' hands-on skills. On the second day of the course, Professor Cardon introduced the operation methods of TinkerCAD and PrusaSlicer software to the students. Eager to try, the students designed personalized keychain 3D models using the software and performed pre-processing for 3D printing. By integrating theory with practice, the course deepened students' understanding of additive manufacturing technology.

Professor Cardon's preparation for lectures was thorough, and his explanations were meticulous. He often used videos and practical examples to help students understand concepts intuitively. During the course, Professor Cardon paid attention to interacting with students, closely monitoring their learning progress, and helping them adapt to and integrate into the full-English teaching environment. Through this course, students gained a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of additive manufacturing technology, mastered the use of relevant software, enhanced their practical abilities, and laid a solid foundation for their future studies.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy：Professor Toshikazu Miyoshiparticipated in our International Course Week

On June 30, 2024, the "International Course Week" at Sichuan University officially kicked off. Scholars and experts from 32 countries and regions brought a rich array of all-English courses to Sichuan University students. Our college invited Professor Toshikazu Miyoshi from the University of Akron to teach the course "Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy" to our students.

Professor Toshikazu Miyoshi began his lecture by sharing his academic journey from Japan to the United States, recounting his experiences from Hokkaido University to the University of Akron and how he became interested in polymer science. As someone who has walked the path himself, he shared his personal story of academic pursuits and the colorful academic experiences during his teaching career.

In the following classes, Professor Toshi explained the principles and usage methods of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, starting with its mechanism. Additionally, Professor Toshi combined real-world examples to explain how to analyze functional groups of polymers through NMR spectra, thereby further analyzing the composition of polymers, which sparked extensive discussions among the students.

To deepen students' understanding of NMR spectroscopy, Professor Toshi posed several questions related to NMR spectrum analysis during class, encouraging students to engage in group discussions and interact deeply with him. Students actively participated, presenting their group discussion results to the professor.

Through the course, students gained a lot, not only deepening their understanding of NMR spectroscopy but also enhancing their English communication skills.

Optical Materials：Professor Shuzhou Li fparticipated in ourInternational Course Week

he 2024 "International Course Week" at Sichuan University grandly opened on June 30. On the morning of July 8, students from the College of Polymer Science and Engineering welcomed Professor Shuzhou Li from Nanyang Technological University to Room B401, Building 1, Jiang'an Campus of Sichuan University. Professor Li delivered the first class of the course "Optical Materials" with his solid professional knowledge and clear, easy-to-understand teaching style.

At the beginning of the class, Professor Li introduced his basic information and research direction, detailing his many years of research achievements and experience in the field of optics. Before formally starting the course, he particularly emphasized two important principles in research and learning: curiosity-driven (Curiosity oriented) and choosing significant topics for research (Important research). He pointed out that maintaining a strong sense of curiosity can continuously drive us to explore unknown fields and discover new knowledge. At the same time, selecting valuable and meaningful research topics can ensure that our efforts and investments produce tangible impacts and contributions. Professor Li also highlighted the importance of "telling stories with data," meaning that through charts and data for in-depth analysis and interpretation, we can better understand complex phenomena and laws. This skill is crucial not only in scientific research but also in actual work and life.

Subsequently, Professor Li briefly introduced the content of the course, including the color, wavelength, refraction, and scattering of light, as well as the types, properties, and applications of optical materials. Over the four-day lecture series, Professor Li not only delved into the course content but also combined vivid real-life examples with professional knowledge, engaging deeply with the students. The students actively participated, enthusiastically raising questions, making the classroom atmosphere very lively. Besides imparting professional knowledge, Professor Li also introduced the basic information about Nanyang Technological University, common challenges faced in research, and methods to address them. He encouraged students to maintain a positive attitude when facing difficulties, bravely overcome challenges, and balance learning with life, actively participating in various extracurricular activities to enrich their life experiences. Through this course, students not only learned professional knowledge but also broadened their horizons, laying a solid foundation for their future studies and research.

Copywriter：Qianyu DONG

Editor: Yanling YANG

Reviewer: Ran RONG