Intl students explore river ecosystem conservation in Yunnan

The 2026 Chinese Government Scholarship International Summer School, themed "Summer Camp on Southwest International River Water Ecological Protection", was successfully held this summer vacation in Southwest China's Yunnan province, with students from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Nepal, and Yunnan University in China participating.

Students pose for group photos during field research in Yunnan. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

They traveled to the Yuanjiang-Red River Basin, Erhai Lake, Yulong Snow Mountain, and Haba Snow Mountain to conduct field research on mountain river conservation and sustainable development.

Supported by the China Scholarship Council and organized by Yunnan University's Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, the program combined classroom learning with fieldwork and featured 12 teaching and field-study modules covering climate change, water environmental risk prevention and control, and ecosystem services.

Participants gained firsthand insights into soil and water conservation, plateau lake management, protected area management, and community-based conservation and development, with a focus on watershed-scale aquatic ecosystem preservation.

During the field studies, participants examined water-related ecological challenges in their respective countries and regions, integrating classroom knowledge with field research to complete and present group research projects.