The second Tsinghua University High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) Summer School was successfully held in Beijing from June 3 to 16, 2026. Hosted by the Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology (INET) of Tsinghua University, this two-week program enrolled 24 students and young professionals from 13 countries, all of whom fulfilled the course requirements and were awarded certificates of completion.
Designed as a platform for systematic professional learning and in-depth professional exchange, the core academic sessions were carefully designed to include 36 specialized lectures, around themes such as the R&D history, design philosophy, inherent safety features, operational performance, and standardization of Chinese HTGRs. The curriculum comprehensively covered disciplines including nuclear fuel, reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, nuclear materials, structural design, nuclear safety as well as reactor control systems.
The academic agenda was supplemented by thematic roundtable discussions, where the summer school participants, alongside INET faculty and students, engaged in dynamic discussions across four major topics: “Safety and Fuel”, “Reactor Design and Operation”, “Application Scenarios”, and “International Cooperation and Talent Development”. This interactive session further deepened participants’ understanding of HTGR technical features, practical experience gained from China's demonstration plant, and international cooperation prospects.
Apart from academic sessions, the program arranged engaging practical activities covering technical visits, cultural tours and sports events. The technical tours took participants to the INET Changping Experimental Base, the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center, and the State Nuclear Security Technology Center. Through field observations and on-site interactions, participants observed key HTGR experimental facilities firsthand, and developed an in-depth understanding of China's nuclear safety capability building framework, as well as nuclear and radiation regulatory technologies and nuclear security technologies.
The cultural and sports exchanges brought Chinese and international faculty and students together to hike the Mutianyu Great Wall and explore the Palace Museum. Participants also tried their hand at traditional Chinese calligraphy and outdoor frisbee.
The summer school received positive feedback from its participants. Attendees remarked that the rigorous curriculum provided them with profound insights into China's HTGR technology, while rich cultural and sports activities brought memorable cross-cultural experiences. In particular, the one-stop campus arrangement integrating accommodation, catering and academic activities offered an immersive Tsinghua campus experience. Additionally, the event gathered a widely diverse group of participants, serving as an excellent platform for fostering connections with international peers.
