2026 PIFI Summer School Equips Young Researchers to Address Global Challenges through Earth Observation and AI
01 Aug 2026
The 2026 PIFI Summer School, themed "Earth Guardians: Earth Observation, AI and Data Science for Global Challenges," concluded in Beijing on July 29, equipping early-career researchers from around the world with advanced knowledge, practical experience and new opportunities for international collaboration in climate action, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
The program was jointly hosted by the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS), the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of CAS (IGSNRR), and the Computer Network Information Center of CAS (CNIC). It was supported by the National Earth Observation Data Center (NODA), the Committee on Data (CODATA), the Digital Belt and Road Program (DBAR), and the Global Cooperation for Open Disaster Data & AI Resilience (Globe-AIR).
Participants included master's and doctoral students as well as postdoctoral researchers from multiple countries. The summer school was supported by the CAS President's International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI), which has enabled more than 6,600 scholars from over 110 countries to undertake academic activities in China since its launch in 2009. The program highlighted the importance of international scientific cooperation and capacity building in addressing shared global challenges.
Eleven lectures delivered by scientists from CAS and partner institutions covered the full value chain of Earth observation—from satellite data acquisition and management to intelligent interpretation and applications in agriculture, sustainable development and disaster risk reduction.
In the field of agricultural remote sensing, Prof. HUANG Wenjiang of AIRCAS presented advances in vegetation parameter inversion and their applications in crop production and pest monitoring. Prof. LIU Chuang of IGSNRR demonstrated how AI-enabled geographic information technologies can support the Food and Agriculture Organization's One Country One Product initiative and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Prof. SUN Ying of AIRCAS introduced global SDG data products developed through Big Earth Data.
Scientific data infrastructure and open data practices were another focus of the program. Prof. DUAN Junlei and Prof. JIANG Lulu introduced FairStack, a scientific data center platform designed to facilitate data management, sharing and reuse, and discussed good practices for making research data more accessible and interoperable.
Several lectures addressed the role of satellite systems, data platforms and international networks in strengthening disaster preparedness and response. Prof. ZHAO Jing of the National Satellite Meteorological Center presented China's FengYun meteorological satellite constellation and the MAZU early warning system. Prof. WANG Juanle of IGSNRR shared China's experience in building Big Data-based knowledge service platforms for disaster risk reduction, while Prof. ZHANG Lianchong of NODA discussed collaborative mechanisms for rapid disaster data response.
Prof. LI Suju highlighted the importance of international cooperation in satellite-based disaster monitoring and early warning. Prof. QIU Yubao of AIRCAS presented high-quality data services developed for the Group on Earth Observations Cold Regions Initiative, together with Big Earth Data applications in Southeast Asia. Prof. XU Yue of AIRCAS discussed recent progress in the intelligent interpretation of remote sensing Big Data and its applications in disaster monitoring and mitigation.
Technical visits to the National Satellite Meteorological Center and the Miyun Remote Sensing Satellite Ground Station connected the lectures with operational Earth observation systems. Participants gained firsthand insights into FengYun satellite operations, data processing and global service capabilities. At the Miyun station, which is China's first remote sensing satellite ground station, they learned how ground infrastructure supports satellite data reception, archiving and near-real-time applications. Operational since 1986, the station has received and archived data from more than 77 satellites, with coverage extending across about 70 percent of Asia’s land area.
Cultural activities offered participants opportunities to learn more about China beyond the laboratory. Visits to the Temple of Heaven and Jingshan Park along Beijing's UNESCO-listed Central Axis provided insights into the history and planning traditions of the Chinese capital, while trips to the Great Wall deepened their appreciation of China’s cultural heritage.
Throughout the program, participants exchanged research ideas, shared experience in applying Earth observation and AI technologies, and explored opportunities for joint research, data sharing and future academic exchanges through the Globe-AIR network and PIFI alumni channels.
"The friendships and scientific connections forged here will outlast the time we spent together," said a program coordinator. "We look forward to seeing these young researchers return as collaborators, co-authors and advocates for open science and global resilience."
The organizing institutions reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Globe-AIR platform and expanding PIFI-supported training activities. Through continued cooperation, they aim to carry forward the "Earth Guardians" vision of shared responsibility, open data and AI-enabled resilience across countries and disciplines.
Lecturers and participants pose for a group photo at the 2026 PIFI Summer School in Beijing. (Image by AIRCAS)
Participants from different countries display their passports at the 2026 PIFI Summer School in Beijing. (Image by AIRCAS)
News Updates
2026 PIFI Summer School Equips Young Researchers to Address Global Challenges through Earth Observation and AI
The 2026 PIFI Summer School, themed "Earth Guardians: Earth Observation, AI and Data Science for Global Challenges," concluded in Beijing on July 29, equipping early-career researchers from around the world with advanced knowledge, practical experience and new opportunities for international collaboration in climate action, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
The program was jointly hosted by the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS), the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of CAS (IGSNRR), and the Computer Network Information Center of CAS (CNIC). It was supported by the National Earth Observation Data Center (NODA), the Committee on Data (CODATA), the Digital Belt and Road Program (DBAR), and the Global Cooperation for Open Disaster Data & AI Resilience (Globe-AIR).
Participants included master's and doctoral students as well as postdoctoral researchers from multiple countries. The summer school was supported by the CAS President's International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI), which has enabled more than 6,600 scholars from over 110 countries to undertake academic activities in China since its launch in 2009. The program highlighted the importance of international scientific cooperation and capacity building in addressing shared global challenges.
Eleven lectures delivered by scientists from CAS and partner institutions covered the full value chain of Earth observation—from satellite data acquisition and management to intelligent interpretation and applications in agriculture, sustainable development and disaster risk reduction.
In the field of agricultural remote sensing, Prof. HUANG Wenjiang of AIRCAS presented advances in vegetation parameter inversion and their applications in crop production and pest monitoring. Prof. LIU Chuang of IGSNRR demonstrated how AI-enabled geographic information technologies can support the Food and Agriculture Organization's One Country One Product initiative and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Prof. SUN Ying of AIRCAS introduced global SDG data products developed through Big Earth Data.
Scientific data infrastructure and open data practices were another focus of the program. Prof. DUAN Junlei and Prof. JIANG Lulu introduced FairStack, a scientific data center platform designed to facilitate data management, sharing and reuse, and discussed good practices for making research data more accessible and interoperable.
Several lectures addressed the role of satellite systems, data platforms and international networks in strengthening disaster preparedness and response. Prof. ZHAO Jing of the National Satellite Meteorological Center presented China's FengYun meteorological satellite constellation and the MAZU early warning system. Prof. WANG Juanle of IGSNRR shared China's experience in building Big Data-based knowledge service platforms for disaster risk reduction, while Prof. ZHANG Lianchong of NODA discussed collaborative mechanisms for rapid disaster data response.
Prof. LI Suju highlighted the importance of international cooperation in satellite-based disaster monitoring and early warning. Prof. QIU Yubao of AIRCAS presented high-quality data services developed for the Group on Earth Observations Cold Regions Initiative, together with Big Earth Data applications in Southeast Asia. Prof. XU Yue of AIRCAS discussed recent progress in the intelligent interpretation of remote sensing Big Data and its applications in disaster monitoring and mitigation.
Technical visits to the National Satellite Meteorological Center and the Miyun Remote Sensing Satellite Ground Station connected the lectures with operational Earth observation systems. Participants gained firsthand insights into FengYun satellite operations, data processing and global service capabilities. At the Miyun station, which is China's first remote sensing satellite ground station, they learned how ground infrastructure supports satellite data reception, archiving and near-real-time applications. Operational since 1986, the station has received and archived data from more than 77 satellites, with coverage extending across about 70 percent of Asia’s land area.
Cultural activities offered participants opportunities to learn more about China beyond the laboratory. Visits to the Temple of Heaven and Jingshan Park along Beijing's UNESCO-listed Central Axis provided insights into the history and planning traditions of the Chinese capital, while trips to the Great Wall deepened their appreciation of China’s cultural heritage.
Throughout the program, participants exchanged research ideas, shared experience in applying Earth observation and AI technologies, and explored opportunities for joint research, data sharing and future academic exchanges through the Globe-AIR network and PIFI alumni channels.
"The friendships and scientific connections forged here will outlast the time we spent together," said a program coordinator. "We look forward to seeing these young researchers return as collaborators, co-authors and advocates for open science and global resilience."
The organizing institutions reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Globe-AIR platform and expanding PIFI-supported training activities. Through continued cooperation, they aim to carry forward the "Earth Guardians" vision of shared responsibility, open data and AI-enabled resilience across countries and disciplines.
Lecturers and participants pose for a group photo at the 2026 PIFI Summer School in Beijing. (Image by AIRCAS)
Participants from different countries display their passports at the 2026 PIFI Summer School in Beijing. (Image by AIRCAS)