InterPore 2020: Qingdao Impression

Qingdao, a city at the forefront of China’s reform, and famous for its culture and long history, has attracted more and more people studying, working and living here. Especially since the successful summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Qingdao in 2018, the cultural and educational exchange and cooperation with other countries have increased remarkably.

Against this backdrop, China University of Petroleum (East China), the host of InterPore2020, is currently organizing its 1st International Education Week. More than twenty experts and scholars from around the world have been invited to give short courses or presentations at the University. Craig Douglas, one of the invited experts, is a professor at the University of Wyoming. During the International Education Week, he will give a one-week course about petroleum and big data as well as a presentation on advanced machine learning. Professor Douglas is a frequent visitor of Qingdao. This is his impression of Qingdao: Qingdao is an unusual city in China. It grew as a result of a group of Germans starting a beer brewery, Tsingtao Beer, here in 1901. The city is divided into very livable small segments separated by parks, beaches, and lakes. My wife and our (now) 3-year-old son come here with me yearly. It is safe to walk about at any time of the day or evening. The food is superb. People are friendly and helpful. The airport is efficient, and the trains are, well, fast. Last year it took 4 hours to get from Beijing. This year it takes 3.5 hours. In 2020, it promises to be about 3 hours. I know very few people who come from outside of China who visit Qingdao only once. They come back. Come once and you will see for yourself why.

With these words, I hope you are even more impressed with Qingdao. Just come and join us. InterPore2020 is waiting for you.