International summer schools represent a prevailing international academic education model adopted by the world’s leading universities. They integrate summer educational resources and break the limitations of conventional semester-based teaching, building an affordable, high-caliber platform for international academic studies. These programs help students broaden their global vision, consolidate professional foundations and enhance overall academic competitiveness, while enabling them to fully immerse themselves in a diverse international academic community.

The International Summer School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Lifelong Education College (SJTU LEC ISS) is a flagship international program developed as a key initiative of the university. Drawing on SJTU’s century-long educational heritage, time-honored disciplinary strengths and well-established international resources, the program invites distinguished scholars from prestigious global universities and senior industry professionals to deliver lectures, and welcomes domestic and international students. Centered on integrating Chinese and global academia and cultivating international talents, it promotes mutual learning of ideas and cultures between China and other countries through diversified courses and extensive academic exchanges. The program also drives forward the university’s international development and serves as a core platform for SJTU to conduct international educational exchanges and showcase its achievements in global education.

Officially organized and professionally operated by Lifelong Education College (LEC), a directly affiliated unit of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the program has been running since 2017. It has established standardized and systematic operational regulations as well as a robust teaching quality assurance system. Winter and summer sessions are held at SJTU Changning Campus. Adopting a dual-track teaching model with separate on-campus in-person sessions and independent online courses, the program accommodates immersive offline study for on-site attendees and flexible remote study for online participants, making premium international educational resources widely accessible to all participants.

The program has developed a comprehensive disciplinary system aligned with international higher education standards, covering six core fields: economics, business, social sciences, humanities, fundamental mathematics and natural sciences. Our courses combine in-depth theories with cutting-edge academic research to accommodate participants at different academic stages and with varied academic backgrounds. Students may select 1 to 3 courses according to their needs. Those who complete all coursework and pass relevant assessments will receive an official academic transcript with verified academic credits. The credits are widely recognized and applicable for credit transfer, further study application and academic portfolio enhancement.

We have established a three-dimensional education system featuring academic training, practical empowerment and cultural immersion. Field visits to renowned enterprises and keynote sharing by industry experts help students keep abreast of industrial frontiers and clarify their career development paths. Immersive cultural tours around Shanghai allow international participants to gain an in-depth understanding of Chinese culture and regional development. A rich array of activities including academic salons and cross-cultural forums break geographical and disciplinary boundaries, striving to foster students’ cross-cultural communication and academic collaboration capabilities.

After years of standardized operation, the program has run dozens of sessions and served tens of thousands of students from across the globe. With authoritative qualifications, high-quality curricula, comprehensive supporting services and a mature education model, it has grown into a prestigious and influential international summer education brand widely recognized in Shanghai. We continue to provide solid academic support for the global development of young talents and the cultivation of interdisciplinary professionals.