Recently, at the invitation of the organizing committee of the 2026 International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS), the China Children and Teenagers' Fund (CCTF) organized 17 student beneficiaries of the Spring Bud Project to have a basic-science study tour in Beijing.
Centered on "Listening and Dialogue," the event comprised two parallel stages. In the first stage, the Spring Bud girls attended the ICBS Women Scientists Forum and listened to academic presentations and personal insights from world-renowned women scientists. Meanwhile, they also held face-to-face exchanges with distinguished women scientists, teachers and students from Qiuzhen College under Tsinghua University.
During the study tour, they also visited Tsinghua University and the Yuanmingyuan Park, broadening their horizons through both academic enrichment and cultural immersion.
The Women Scientists Forum, held on the afternoon of August 10 at the Yanqi Lake International Convention & Exhibition Center, brought together Claire Voisin (The ICBS Medal and The Shaw Prize laureate, senior researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research), Andrea J. Liu (The ICBS Medal laureate, academician of the US National Academy of Sciences and professor at the University of Pennsylvania), Juli Feigon (chair professor at University of California, Los Angeles), and Chen Xiaojun (chair professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University). They engaged in dialogues on topics like career pathways of women researchers and the cross-innovation of basic science with artificial intelligence.
The Spring Bud girls attended the entire forum and took careful notes of experts' presentations. They said that it was the first time for them to interact closely with world-class women scientists.
They felt deeply inspired by the outstanding achievements of women in the basic science and became keen to pursue fundamental disciplines and engage in international academic exchanges.
"'Spring Bud' bears hope and resilience. This forum opens up a broad world of science for me. As long as women stay passionate and persist in acquiring knowledge step by step, they can absolutely realize their research dream," said Xiaomeng (pseudonym), a Spring Bud girl.
After the Women Scientists Forum, with the support of Professor Shing-Tung Yau, the first mathematician of Chinese descent to receive a Fields Medal, Qiuzhen College under Tsinghua University hosted a special panel discussion for the Spring Bud girls. Professor Chen, Professor Wang Yilin from ETH Zurich, and two women students from Qiuzhen College spoke with those girls about personal experiences in pursuing basic disciplines such as mathematics, as well as challenges and breakthroughs they encountered along their scientific research journeys. They also answered specific questions raised by the Spring Bud girls.
When asked about what one shall prepare right now if she or he wants to engage in sci-tech research, Chen said that she or he should remain curious and thirsty for knowledge rather than setting overly rigid goals too early. Wang encouraged them not to be stuck by complex mathematical and physical theories, suggesting them to read popular science books, develop diverse interests and proactively seek guidance from teachers in a drive to find what truly excites them.
In response to a question about how to maintain long-term focus in research, student representatives from Qiuzhen College said that anxiety and confusion are normal parts of the learning process, stressing that one shall be relaxed and remain interested in some fields so as to build psychological resilience. They also underscored the importance of transforming from a competitive mindset to that of collaboration, because achieving shared progress via team discussion and mutual support is a practical way to sustain academic enthusiasm over time.
"The professors and senior students spoke candidly about their setbacks and perseverance in research. It made me realize that what sustains a long-term career is not just talent but genuine passion and the determination not to give up when facing difficulties," said another Spring Bud girl.
The two-day study tour allowed participants to attend an international academic forum and specialized academic exchanges, visit a prestigious university and a historical and cultural heritage site. It provided them with a valuable platform to embrace cutting-edge research resources and gain a better understanding of basic science. Looking ahead, the CCTF will continue to widen public access to high-quality science education resources, help more young people gain exposure to and understanding of the science, and assist them in bravely pursuing scientific dream.
Photos from CCTF
(Source: CCTF/Women of China)
Editor: Lei Yang
