(Correspondent: Zhai Liangkai, Lin Ziqiang, Liu Bingzong) To broaden students’ international perspectives and cultivate innovative talents with global competence, 20 undergraduate and graduate students from the School of Aerospace Science and Technology participated in an artificial intelligence academic program at the National University of Singapore (NUS) from July 13 to 19.
The program was jointly supported by the School of Aerospace Science and Technology and the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges. Through various activities including courses, teaching sessions, interactive seminars, and cultural experiences, the students immersed themselves in NUS’s academic atmosphere, experienced Singapore’s multicultural society, and appreciated the charm of its highly internationalized urban environment. The program provided a first-hand experience of the research environment at a world-class university, further stimulating their passion for scientific exploration and enhancing their interdisciplinary research capabilities.
Associate Professor Edmund Low from NUS taught the courses. On the first day, he provided an in-depth analysis of the core architecture and working mechanisms of large language models, helping students build a theoretical foundation. The second day focused on model training methodologies, comparing general models with industry-specific customization approaches and guiding students to master the essentials of prompt engineering. As the course progressed, students learned to integrate Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) frameworks and built their own intelligent dialogue robot systems on the third day. On the fourth day, the class explored fine-tuning techniques for structured data processing and code interaction, while also discussing future developments in artificial intelligence. The four full English theory sessions deepened the students’ understanding of cutting-edge knowledge and application prospects of large language models.
At the end of the course, students delivered full English academic presentations in groups, focusing on AI large models. They engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as development trends, fine-tuning strategies, prompt optimization, comparative advantages of different models, and legal and ethical debates related to AI, presenting their own insights. Each group collaborated effectively, demonstrating fluent English expression, rigorous academic logic, and solid literature support, earning high praise from the NUS faculty. After listening to the group reports, Associate Professor Edmund Low provided feedback on each presentation. The third group won the "Best Presentation Award" for their project titled "AI Medical Expert System Based on Prompt Engineering." In recognition of their outstanding performance, NUS presented each student with a certificate of completion and specially gifted them with NUS badges to encourage continued exploration and pursuit of excellence in their future academic endeavors.
In addition to academic courses, the students participated in various practical activities to explore Singapore’s history and national landscape. During their week at NUS, they experienced the multicultural, highly internationalized, and humanistic atmosphere of the campus. They also visited Nanyang Technological University, where they observed the rigorous academic environment of this world-renowned institution. At the National Museum of Singapore, they learned about the country’s history and culture through exhibits, tracing Singapore’s development into a global metropolis.
"This study trip not only enhanced my professional skills and English proficiency but also broadened my understanding of AI applications in healthcare. It strengthened my confidence and motivation to engage in scientific research in the future," shared graduate student Liu Bingzong. "The professors explained complex concepts clearly with vivid examples, which deepened my understanding of large language model technologies," said undergraduate Wu Zhihong, who was deeply impressed by the academic courses.
Zhai Liangkai, the faculty lead, expressed gratitude to Associate Professor Edmund Low on behalf of the delegation and invited him to visit the university to promote interdisciplinary research collaboration. They also discussed issues related to full English course development, academic visits, and student exchanges.
The study trip to NUS effectively contributed to the international training of talents in the School of Aerospace Science and Technology. With an open mindset, the students gained knowledge, broadened their global perspectives, and laid a foundation for future academic research. In the future, they will continue to push their boundaries and write brilliant new chapters in their youth, starting from Xidian University.
