From October 17 to 18, the 3rd International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring for Railway System, jointly hosted by the China Railway Society and CRRC Corporation Limited, was successfully held in Qingdao. International master’s students enrolled in the 2022 cohort of the MOFCOM-sponsored program at the School of Traffic & Transportation Engineering, Central South University, were invited to attend the workshop, accompanied by Yang Jinsong from the school.
With the theme of Intelligent Transportation and Proactive Maintenance, the workshop brought together academicians, industry experts, and scholars, who delivered academic presentations on a range of frontier topics, including structural health monitoring, systems engineering, intelligent train operation and maintenance technologies, and 600 km/h high-speed maglev technology. The international students listened attentively to the presentations and, based on the research topics in their respective fields, engaged in exchanges and discussions with the participating experts and scholars.
On the afternoon of October 18, a visit was organized by CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd. During the visit, all international students toured CRRC Qingdao Sifang and the National Key Laboratory of High-speed Maglev Transportation Technology.
Representatives from CRRC Qingdao Sifang introduced the students to the development history of CRRC and the evolution of China’s high-speed rail industry from follower, to peer, to global leader. They also guided the students through several key laboratories and production workshops of CRRC Qingdao Sifang, showcasing advanced technologies in integrated design, intelligent manufacturing, and intelligent operation and maintenance. The students listened carefully to the presentations and held in-depth discussions with the company representatives.
At the end of the visit, the students collectively experienced a 600 km/h high-speed maglev train developed by CRRC Qingdao Sifang. As a new symbol of China’s railway development, the train drew enthusiastic praise from the students. International student Angolo said,“This should be China’s most advanced high-speed railway technology. The experience was truly amazing.”International student Keli said,“I feel a profound sense of responsibility on my shoulders. Railway construction in my home country of Liberia needs the knowledge and skills I am acquiring.”International student Zheng Keli said,“I am very grateful to the school for organizing this opportunity for us to attend the workshop. We now have a deeper understanding of frontier developments in the field of rail transit.”
In recent years, the School of Traffic & Transportation Engineering, Central South University has achieved remarkable results in international exchange and cooperation, training and delivering outstanding railway professionals to countries along the Belt and Road. This workshop was of great significance for promoting international academic exchange and strengthening cooperative partnerships.
