From June 23 to July 2, China University of Petroleum-Beijing (CUP) hosted the 2025 JumpStart TU Program “Future Energy Leaders” Summer Camp. The program welcomed13 incoming freshmen and 3 faculty members from the University of Tulsa. With the theme of “Chinese Traditional Culture and Energy Transition,”the camp aimed to fostercross-cultural communication and strengthen ties between students from China and the United Statesthrough a diverse array of academic lectures, cultural excursions, and visits to green enterprises.
At the opening ceremony, CUP Vice President Zhang Guangqing extended a warm welcome to all participants. He emphasized the University of Tulsa as a close partner of CUP, and this program, and noted the significance of this event as the inaugural initiative under the newly established “JumpStart TU” joint training station. He expressed his hopes that the students would gain valuable insights during their time at CUP and that the program would further deepen collaboration between the two universities, advancing energy education cooperation between China and the U.S.
Throughout the summer camp, participants attended a series of lectures, on topics including“Chinese Culture and History”, “Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models”, and “Carbon Neutrality and Energy Transition”. The students demonstrated strong interest in acquiring knowledge related to Chinese culture and energy development, and actively exchanged ideas with CUPB faculty and students across a wide range of topics.
Beyond the classroom, the program featured immersive learning experiences. Participants visited the Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone to explore hydrogen fuel cell technologies and cutting-edge applications of hydrogen energy. They also toured the Xiaomi Automobile factory, observing new energy vehicles production lines and experiencing autonomous driving technologies firsthand. A research visit to the CNPC Research Institute of Economics and Technologyfurther enriched their understanding of China’ s economic strategies and energy sector development. Cultural visits to iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, and Jingshan Park provided a deeper appreciation of China’s rich historical heritage. On-campus cultural workshops introduced participants to Chinese calligraphy, martial arts, and traditional Chinese medicine, enhancing their understanding of China’ s diverse cultural traditions.
The summer camp concluded with a closing ceremony where student groups delivered presentations reflecting on their experiences in China and the insights they gained into Chinese culture, technology, and energy. A faculty member from the University of Tulsa remarked, “As these students transition from high school to university, this program has broadened their global perspectives and helped shape their worldview.”
The University of Tulsa, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, widely regarded as the“World Oil Capital,” is a founding member of the World Energy University Network initiated by CUP. In May 2025, the university launched the first and only China-based site of its JumpStart TU program at CUP, offering credit-bearing courses to students prior to their first semester. This initiative represents a rare and pioneering example of a U.S. university offering coursework to American students on Chinese soil through a joint training platform.