The International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE) successfully initiated the ISDE International Young Scholars China Tour, a series of academic and cross-cultural tours for international young scholars. The first destination of the tour was Suzhou, a historical city and renowned tourist destination in China. Hosted on June 1st by the ISDE - Young Scientist Innovation Network (ISDE-YSIN), the event aims to foster international scientific and technological exchange among young international scholars. Approximately 20 ISDE-YSIN young scientists from 10 countries engaged in academic discussions and cultural immersion, charting a new course for international collaboration in the field of Digital Earth.
Dr. Hui Luo, Director General for Department of International Affairs of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) had a meet-and-greet with the international young scholars from ISDE-YSIN. Dr. Luo spoke highly of the young scientists' research in the field of Digital Earth and encouraged them to deepen their exchanges and cooperation with other counterparts, including young Chinese scientists. Representatives of international young scholars expressed their appreciation for China in presenting more favorable, inclusive and diversified research environment. This meet-and-greet event highlighted the importance of continued exchange, recognizing the ISDE-YSIN as an excellent platform for sharing knowledge, promoting innovation and establishing international cooperation.
Group photo with Dr. Luo, ISDE representatives and ISDE-YSIN international young scholars
To mark ISDE’s two-decade milestone since its inauguration in 2004, the ISDE 20th Anniversary Achievement Exhibition was set up and open to the public in Suzhou. The ISDE-YSIN international young scholars visited the exhibition and were immersed in the remarkable progress made by ISDE over the past 20 years and Chinese significant contributions to the field of Digital Earth and its openness to international collaboration.
Group Photo at the ISDE 20th Anniversary Achievement Exhibition
The International Seminar on Digital Earth Youth Innovation, chaired by Prof. Min Chen who is the chair of ISDE-YSIN, took place on June 1st, providing a platform for young scholars to present their research, engage in academic discussions and share insights on the application of Digital Earth technology in various fields such as economic corridors, climate science, urban growth and its environmental impacts. The seminar facilitated a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives, enhancing the participants' international outlook and stimulating innovative thinking.
The International Seminar on Digital Earth Youth Innovation
As part of the tour, the scholars embarked on visits to the Suzhou Museum and the Suzhou Silk Museum, offering a deep dive into Chinese rich intangible cultural heritage. This experience allowed scholars to appreciate the traditional craftsmanship and profound cultural legacy of China, serving as a bridge between different cultures and between the scholars themselves, enriching the global dialogue and inspiring future collaborations that span across disciplines and borders.
Group Photo at the Suzhou Museum
The event facilitated in-depth exchanges among ISDE-YSIN representatives, laying a solid foundation for future international cooperation and showcasing the potential of young scholars in advancing Digital Earth science and technology. In the future, this tour series will be landing in more cities. With the deepening of international exchanges and cooperation, we expect more young scholars to show their talents on this platform and believe that more young scholars can be inspired to devote themselves to scientific and technological innovation and cultural exchanges, contributing to the global sustainable development at large.
The ISDE - Young Scientist Innovation Network (ISDE-YSIN) was launched on May 26, 2023 with the aim of empowering young scientists in the field of Digital Earth. The Network organizes the conference series Youth Innovation Forum on Digital Earth annually, and the ISDE - Lecture on the Digital Earth Youth Innovation quarterly each year with the objective of building a youth-driven academic sharing and collaborative platform with international influence. The 1st Youth Innovation Forum on Digital Earth was held on 21-23 August, 2023 in Beijing, China, attracting more than 160 participants from 13 countries. The 2nd Youth Innovation Forum on Digital Earth, themed "Digital Technology Innovation Driving Sustainable Development", will take place on 4-7 December, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. The Forum is organized by the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), co-hosted by ISDE - YSIN, Institute of Space and Earth Information Science (ISEIS) of CUHK and Hong Kong Young Scientist Association (HKYSA).
