A group of international students takes part in a spring school in Nanjing. [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]

The 2026 Southeast University-University of Manchester Nanjing Hydropolis Spring School opened in Nanjing on March 24, bringing together Chinese and international students to explore the city's water heritage and its role in urban development.

Centered on the theme of "cross-border academic exchange and collaborative innovation", the 11-day program has attracted 15 international students from different parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden and Poland, along with 14 students from Southeast University.

Focusing on Nanjing's distinctive hydrological heritage, the spring school is designed to examine how urban water spaces have evolved and how they can continue to develop in innovative and sustainable ways.

During the program, participants are poised to conduct field studies at three sites — Xuanwu Lake, the Qinhuai River and the Yangtze River — to gain a multidimensional understanding of how water-related infrastructure has been built, used and integrated into city life.

Students visit the Wumiao Floodgate at Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing. [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]

Students are encouraged to present their findings in four formats: drawings, illustrated written reports, videos and physical models. Outstanding works will be exhibited at the University of Manchester in October this year.

On the opening day, the event also featured a series of themed lectures on river and lake systems and the preservation of historic cities, followed by group ice-breaking activities.

"I really value the opportunity to exchange ideas and collaborate with teachers and students at Southeast University," said a student from the University of Manchester.

On his first visit to Nanjing, the student said he was immediately awestruck by the city's lively streets and vibrant atmosphere.

A group of international students takes part in a spring school in Nanjing. [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]

"My area of study is waste treatment and residual materials management, so I'm especially interested in learning about where water comes from, how it is treated, and the industrial processes it goes through," he said. "In a city as large and densely populated as one in China, I'm very curious to see how this kind of infrastructure operates so effectively."