From 9 to 13 December 2025, the 27th Campus Asia Plus Symposium on Energy and Environmental Science and Technology was successfully held in Lin-gang Shanghai. The symposium was hosted by the Graduate School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), co-organized by Kyushu University (KU), Pusan National University (PNU) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), jointly organized by China-UK Low Carbon College (LCC) and SJTU Student Innovation Center. 

Over a hundred experts, scholars and graduate students from four leading Asian universities gathered to engage in in-depth exchanges on three core areas — energy, environment and materials, fostering intellectual exchange through academic dialogue and advancing practical exploration to drive the transformation of research outcomes. Together, they explored pathways for green technology development and discussed the future of international cooperation, injecting robust academic momentum into the sustainable development across Asia.

Opening Ceremony:

Reaching New Heights for International Academic Exchange

On the morning of December 10, the grand opening ceremony was held at the Lin-gang Center, chaired by Guo Liang, Chief of China-UK Low Carbon College, SJTU.

Distinguished guests in attendance and delivering speeches include:

• Prof. DENG Tao, Dean of Graduate School, On behalf of Shanghai Jiao Tong University

• Ms. WANG Yang, Deputy Director of Division of Development and Reform, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Lin-gang Special Area Administration

• Prof. ZHAO Yixin, Division Chief of New Energy Technology Division, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology

• Prof. LEE Donggeun, Vice President of Research Affairs, Pusan National University

• Prof. WANG Dong, Director of Global Engagement Office, IGSES, Kyushu University

• Prof. SAAT Aminuddin, Head of Department Thermofluids, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

• Mr. SONG Xuming, Director of Student Innovation Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

• Mr. HAN Guohua, Chairman of Shanghai Lin-gang Industry-Education Integration Promotion Center

• Prof. CHANG Hui, Vice Dean of Graduate School, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

• Ms. ZHAO Feng, Director of International Affairs Office, Graduate School, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

• Prof. LIU Ping, Vice Dean of School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

• Prof. HE Yiliang, Vice Dean of China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

and the representatives from partner universities were also in attendance and jointly witnessed the launch of this major academic event in the green technology sector of Asia.

Deng Tao extended a warm welcome to all participants on behalf of the host in his welcoming remarks. He emphasized that the symposium establishes a high-level academic platform for Asian universities to deepen multinational research collaboration and foster collaborative innovation, support the growth and development of young scholars and empower them to collectively address common challenges in global energy and environmental fields, thereby contributing enduring momentum for sustainable development. 

Wang Yang introduced the strategic layout of Lin-gang Special Area regarding sci-tech innovation and the integration of industry and education. She expressed the administration's strong commitment to further collaborate with universities and research institutions, hoping the symposium would attract more top talents and innovative projects to take root locally in Lin-gang, thereby establishing a full-chain innovation ecosystem of “research and development—transformation—industrialization”, and forging a new hub for green and low-carbon development.  

Zhao Yixin stated that Shanghai is accelerating breakthroughs in carbon neutrality key technologies and industrial applications. The city stands ready to strengthen cooperation with scientific research institutions across Asia to jointly advance green technology and contribute Chinese solutions and Asian wisdom to global climate governance. 

LEE Donggeun reflected on the history of Campus Asia symposium, and noted that the events have grown into a vital bridge connecting young scholars across Asia. He encouraged young scholars to take the lead, speak up boldly, actively share their research findings, spark innovative inspiration through intellectual exchange and build consensus for collaboration through mutual learning and exchange.

Wang Dong highlighted the Campus Asia initiative as a valuable platform for young scholars to expand international horizons and enhance research capabilities. He hoped the symposium would serve as an opportunity to further deepen joint research in low-carbon development and lead toward a higher level of technological innovation.

SAAT Aminuddin emphasized the importance of cross-cultural understanding and academic friendship as pillars of sci-tech innovation. He urged young scholars to strengthen practical cooperation, foster mutual trust and unite friendships while tackling energy and environmental challenges, thereby growing into the backbone of regional sustainable development.

Song Xuming outlined a series of initiatives in student innovation and entrepreneurship of SJTU. He particularly noted that this year marked the debut of "Best Application Potential Award", underscoring the clear orientation of “academic exploration serving industrial needs”, driving research outcomes from laboratories into practical application scenarios.

Keynote Speeches:

Merging Cutting-Edge Ideas, Exploring Technological Frontiers

The keynote session was chaired by He Yiliang.

Distinguished Prof. Zhao Yixin from SJTU, Assoc. Prof. ALBRECHT Ken from KU, Prof. KIM Changhyuk from PNU, Ts. Dr. CHIN VUI SHENG Desmond Daniel from UTM, delivered outstanding presentations on topics including perovskite solar cells, dendritic luminescent materials, the application of nanoparticles in pollutant detection and removal, and the sound absorption performance of micro-perforated panels in improving indoor acoustic environment.

The representatives from four universities delivered systematic presentations covering technical principles, research advancements and application prospects, comprehensively showcasing the latest achievements and development potential within the energy and environmental technology sector. This has provided the attendees with a high-calibre academic feast.

Parallel Sessions:

Multi-dimensional Exchanges, Sparking Innovative Vitality  

The symposium featured three parallel sessions on energy, environment and materials. Graduate students from relevant disciplines across the four universities delivered in-depth presentations on their research areas, covering core technological breakthroughs and trend analyses. 

Moreover, the symposium featured a dedicated poster session, where captivating displays spanning cutting-edge research across multiple disciplines drew the participants to engage in discussions and in-depth exchanges.

The comprehensive, multi-layered exchange platform fostered continuous exchange of ideas, laying a solid foundation for deepening regional academic collaboration. 

Company Visits:

Uniting Knowledge and Action, Bridging Industry Practice

To foster deep integration between academic research and industrial practice, the symposium has particularly organized two distinctive company visit routes. Route One focused on water resource management, the delegates travelling to the Shanghai Jiading Nanxiang Water Environment Purification Co., Ltd. to conduct an on-site investigation of the Nanxiang waterworks ecological park and the sunken reclaimed water treatment plant. This provides an in-depth understanding of advanced technologies and ecological models for urban sewage treatment and water resource recycling. 

Route Two focused on solid waste management, the delegates visited Shanghai Domestic Waste Science Exhibition Centre. Through interactive experience and case studies, the participants gained a systematic understanding of the latest practices in harmless treatment and resource utilization of household waste. The visit broadened the participants' practical perspectives, accumulating valuable experience for deepening industry-academia-research collaborative innovation and cross-cultural exchange in subsequent phases.

Closing Ceremony:

Fruitful Outcomes and Passing the Flame

On the afternoon of December 12, the CSS-EEST symposium concluded successfully. The closing ceremony was chaired by Ren Tao, the Assistant Dean of China-UK Low Carbon College, SJTU.

During the awards ceremony, following judging and voting, 9 students won the "Best Oral Presentation Award", 3 students were honoured with the "Best Poster Award", 6 students received the "Best Application Potential Award". As a distinctive award newly established for this year, the "Best Application Potential Award" aims to encourage presenters to integrate innovative and entrepreneurial thinking into academic sharing, thereby promoting the deep integration of cutting-edge academic achievements with industrial practice. The award was presented by Jia Yanning, the Deputy Director of SJTU Student Innovation Centre.

The closing remarks were delivered by He Yiliang (SJTU), KYAW Thu (KU), KIM Changhyuk (PNU) and RANI Muhammad Faiz Hilmi (UTM).

Representatives from each university extended their heartfelt gratitude to all participating scholars and staff in their remarks. They unanimously affirmed that this symposium has effectively deepened the cooperative foundation among the four universities in the fields of green energy, materials science and environmental engineering, establishing a long-term, high-quality international exchange mechanism for young scholars across Asia. All parties look forward to extending the common aspiration and joint efforts in the future, forwarding together to transform the consensus reached at the symposium into pragmatic actions, and jointly advancing regional sci-tech innovation and green development to new heights.

Following deliberation, the assembly unanimously decided that the 28th CSS-EEST International Academic Conference will be held at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in December 2026. A flag-handover ceremony was held concurrently, Organizing Committee Chairman He Yiliang passed the flag — symbolizing cooperation and heritage — to SAAT Aminuddin, the representative of the next host institution. This signifies the enduring legacy of academic collaboration and Campus Asia program will pass the flame, the four universities will continue to join hands, contributing Asian wisdom and power to global green sustainable development.