The 2024 IKCEST-ISTIC Joint International Training Workshop, which also served as the 131st IKCEST Training Programme for Silk Road Engineering Science and Technology Development, was held in Xi’an from October 14 to 19, 2024.

It was co-hosted by the International Knowledge Centre for Engineering Sciences and Technology (IKCEST) and the International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC), both under the auspices of UNESCO, and was organised by the IKCEST Silk Road Training Base. The workshop attracted 17 ISTIC participants from Malaysia, Mauritius, South Africa and Sri Lanka, along with over 100 international students from institutions such as Xi’an Jiaotong University and Chang’an University.

At the opening ceremony, Chen Ling, Vice Dean of the School of Continuing Education of Xi’an Jiaotong University, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the IKCEST Silk Road Training Base. Mohd Basyaruddin Abdul Rahman, Chair of the ISTIC Governing Board, and Liu Chang, Secretary-General of IKCEST, introduced the development of their respective centres. They expressed their shared commitment to deepening cooperation in the field of engineering science and technology, aiming to contribute to the promotion of international scientific and technological exchange and innovation.

The six-day training focused on the application of Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI) in the era of Industry 4.0. The curriculum covered deep learning, AI models and brain-computer interfaces, showcasing China’s latest achievements in AI research. The training also included visits to the Western China Science and Technology Innovation Harbour as well as autonomous vehicle and UAV training platforms. These activities allowed participants to experience how Chinese AI solutions are effectively transforming the way people live and work.