A short training program co-organizer for visitors from China

HELSUS and co-organized a one-week training program on sustainability science for 34 visiting students from seven different HEIs of the Jiangsu province, China on 3–7 August 2026. Most of these 2nd and 3rd year university students came from Nanjing (Agricultural University; Forestry University; and University of Information Science and Technology) and the others from Hohai, Jiangnan, Yangzhou, and Jiangsu Universities. The week of sustainability training in Helsinki was the first part of a three-week visiting program Smart Agriculture Frontiers – Modern Agriculture and Sustainable Development organized in collaboration with JAMK University of Applied Science.

Each day focused on a different theme of global sustainability providing the group of students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds with an overview of research and education at the University of Helsinki. The lectures given by HELSUS researchers and other colleagues on Kumpula and Viikki campuses addressed the importance of interdisciplinary research in innovations in bioeconomy, solutions for energy transition, and life cycle assessment, as well as insights on research on global environmental change and climate change. The final day of the first week ended with lectures on the global food systems, including food production and the environment, and circular food systems.

We also organized our Chinese guests a guided tour on the Viikki Research Farm to learn about its role in the production of scientific data and knowledge for solving sustainability challenges in agriculture. They also visited the Nihtisilta Recycling Centre to experience circular economy in practice. In addition, the group travelled to the Lammi Biological Station to get to know about its research, education and societal impact, and of course, to experience the Finnish nature.

Photo by : Visiting students on the Viikki Research Farm.