"As a responsible leading university, we wish to further incorporate SDGs into our education, research and governance through a series of specific actions. In the meantime, we want to maximize the university's positive impact on youth and the world together with our global partners," said Wu Zhaohui, president of ZJU, at the opening ceremony on Aug 1.

This year's summer school was held online, with the opening ceremony taking place in an innovative Yaotai Metaverse, which was one of the biggest highlights of the program. Supported by cutting-edge digital technology, it provided attendants with an immersive virtual-reality environment, where they can socialize with others and take online campus tours.

"My best memory from this year's summer school was the opening ceremony. It was both interactive and innovative," said Singh Alicja Amrit from Italy. "The welcoming ceremony gave me a really great experience of virtual reality. I really felt like I was in China, like I was physically there," said Musubuga Job Neloson from Uganda.