On the afternoon of June 6, a cultural practice event themed "Craftsmanship · Innovation · Intelligent Manufacturing," combining technology and traditional crafts, was successfully held at the National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center for Engineering Training at Dalian University of Technology. Nearly 100 international students from the Chinese Language Training Center participated in the event.
This event is conducted in a combination of "visiting and learning" and "practice and experience," aiming to help international students gain a deep understanding of DUT's engineering practice education system and distinctive educational features, appreciate the unique charm of integrating modern technological innovations with excellent traditional Chinese cultural skills, experience the educational philosophy of "unity of knowledge and action" through practical activities, enhance their comprehensive Chinese language proficiency and intercultural communication competence, and deepen their understanding of China's higher education model, its scientific and technological achievements, and the innovative inheritance of Chinese culture.
Under the guidance of instructors at the Engineering Training Center, international students first familiarized themselves with the Center's primary teaching and practical areas. Through on-site explanations, they gained a systematic understanding of the Center's functional role and the university's achievements in engineering practice education, developed a clear grasp of the fundamental principles and applications of advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing and laser processing, and acquired an intuitive understanding of concepts like "smart manufacturing" and "Industry 4.0." During the visit, students listened attentively to the presentations and frequently paused to observe equipment demonstrations, thereby deepening their appreciation for DUT's distinctive engineering education approach and its accomplishments in building innovative practical platforms.
Subsequently, the students participated in activities in groups, including laser paper-cutting, 3D printing, and ceramic painting. During the laser paper-cutting session, under the guidance of instructors, students operated laser cutting machines to create traditional paper-cut patterns, experiencing firsthand innovative vitality brought by digital technology to traditional paper-cut art. In the 3D printing session, students witnessed the process of transforming digital models into physical objects, understood the principle of "what you think is what you get" in modern manufacturing, and participated in key steps such as modeling, slicing, and printing. In the ceramic painting session, students fully unleashed their creativity by depicting patterns on clay blanks, enjoying the pleasure of creating traditional Chinese handicrafts. These diverse practical activities not only helped international students develop a genuine understanding of China's technological advancements but also inspired them to reflect on how technology can empower cultural heritage preservation, providing vivid materials for telling the story of "China's creativity" in the future.
After the event, students unanimously expressed that this practical activity not only provided them with a deep understanding of DUT's distinctive engineering practice teaching features and scientific innovation achievements, but also allowed them to further appreciate the renewed vitality of China's traditional culture empowered by modern technology, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of China's technological development and cultural heritage.
Cultural practice activities are a key initiative by the Chinese Language Training Center to promote the integrated development of "language teaching + cultural education." In the future, the Center will continue to leverage DUT’s high-quality educational resources to organize diverse and content-rich cultural practice activities, guiding international students to experience distinctive features firsthand, understand China's developmental achievements, further enhance their cross-cultural communication skills, and create a broader platform for fostering mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations.
