Sichuan University organizes University Immersion Programme (UIP) every year. The two-week UIP invites renowned professors and lecturers from universities around the world to offer short courses to participating students with the objectives to broaden the international horizon of the students, and to strengthen the exchange between world-wide academics with students. Hundreds of international students take part in the programme each year.

The 2016 UIP invited students of the founding members of the University Social Responsibility Network (USR Network) to join the programme, with a view to enhancing communication among the USR Network members. Through tailored-made programmes and activities, the students’ understanding of the Sichuan earthquake in 2008 and the aftermath re-construction of the province have been deepened and they would become more committed in social service and disaster management.

Students from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Sichuan University and University of Haifa joined together to study the subject “Educating Rural Farmers on Healthier Food Production” from 2 to 16 July 2016. The subject was taught by Dr Gilbert Chan from PolyU’s Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology. Besides acquiring the disciplinary knowledge on basic concept and practice on modern agriculture and food supply chain issues in lectures, students had hands‐on opportunity during the two-week study to practice service learning in Shifang, a traditional mushroom farming town. Tin Qing, a student from Sichuan University said, “I now understand more about the importance of social responsibility. As a college student, we need to care about others, including different kinds of lives and environment.” It was a valuable learning experience to work together with students from various backgrounds and disciplines and to serve the local farmers.