Students spend their summer breaks productively by exploring cutting-edge technologies and new opportunities in artificial intelligence at an international summer school.
As part of the cooperation agreement between Moscow City University (MCU) and the Central China Normal University (CCNU, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China), students are developing academic and scientific collaboration with international educational institutions.
From June 30 to July 14, 2025, the international summer school dedicated to the study of artificial intelligence (AI) in education was held at the Central China Normal University. The event, organized by CCNU, was conducted by the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence in Education, the CCNU-UOW Joint Institute, and the National Engineering Research Center for Educational Big Data.
MCU was represented at the international summer school by students from the Institute of Digital Education and the Institute of Psychology and Comprehensive Rehabilitation.
As part of the summer school programme, students explored Chinese culture and:
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Learned about advanced AI technologies and their applications in education through lectures and discussions with world-renowned scientists and members of the IT elite;
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Developed projects in collaboration with students from top universities in other countries;
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Visited historical sites and landmarks in China;
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Got acquainted with Chinese cuisine;
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Toured leading IT companies and laboratories in Wuhan.
The summer school programme was rich and informative. The first part included educational activities aimed at preparing students to present mini-projects on “AI in Education.” The second part focused on cultural and educational events, during which students, guided by instructors experienced in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, received a basic introduction to the Chinese language and culture.
As part of the summer school, students worked on team projects and gained valuable experience collaborating with academics from universities in China, the UK, and Australia.
Alisa Kuznetsova, a student of the Psychology programme at the Institute of Psychology and Comprehensive Rehabilitation, stood out for her professionalism in MCU’s team – demonstrating strong intellectual, communication, and creative skills. As a future psychologist, she found it especially meaningful to explore how students from different cultural backgrounds perceive the ethical aspects of integrating AI into education. This understanding will help her find responsible and effective ways to introduce AI into educational systems and explain its impact on personal development through the lens of psychological theory.
Alisa Kuznetsova shared her experience:
Taking part in the international summer school in Wuhan left a lasting impression on me. I felt a great sense of responsibility, representing not only my university but also Russia. During our stay, we learned about Chinese customs, attended lectures by leading international scholars (including some from Germany) on AI development, and created a project on Ethical Use of AI in Education.
We also traveled from Wuhan to Yichang, a place with stunning natural landscapes, and, of course, met students from all over the world. My teammates were from top universities such as the University of Glasgow, Newcastle University, and the University of Wollongong. Even though the programme was entirely in English, and most participants were native speakers, we quickly found common ground and the learning process was both fun and enriching!
At the closing ceremony, we Russian students gave a presentation on Russian traditions and gifted souvenirs from Moscow to the organisers, as part of a cultural exchange. I’m truly grateful to MCU for giving us such incredible opportunities to participate in international projects – this is an invaluable experience.
At the conclusion of the summer school, all participants received certificates confirming completion of the programme and projects at CCNU.
Photo: Alisa Kuznetsova