Academic Exchange

Attending the AI-Empowered Crop Modelling Forum and Vegetation Dynamics Summer School

From 14 to 17 July 2026, I was invited to attend the Forum on AI-Empowered Crop Modelling and Innovation in Modern Smart Agriculture and the 5th Summer School on Vegetation Dynamics at Inner Mongolia Agricultural University.

Event Dates: 14-17 July 2026
Location: Inner Mongolia Agricultural University
Role: Invited participant
Focus: Crop modelling and smart agriculture

Forum and Summer School

The four-day programme brought together researchers and students working across crop modelling, artificial intelligence, smart agriculture, and vegetation dynamics. The forum connected methodological discussions with the practical challenges of understanding crop growth and supporting modern agricultural decision-making.

Alongside the main forum, the 5th Summer School on Vegetation Dynamics created a focused setting for learning and exchange. Technical presentations and discussions offered a useful view of how process-based crop models, data-driven methods, and environmental observations can complement one another.

Participants at the forum and the 5th Summer School on Vegetation Dynamics.人工智能赋能作物模型与现代智慧农业创新论坛暨第五届“植被动力学”暑期学校参会人员合影。

A technical presentation during the crop modelling forum — A technical presentation during the forum.论坛期间的学术报告。

The lecture hall during the Vegetation Dynamics Summer School — A view of the lecture hall during the summer school.“植被动力学”暑期学校会场。

At Inner Mongolia Agricultural University

Inner Mongolia Agricultural University provided a fitting setting for the event. The visit combined an intensive academic programme with opportunities to meet researchers from different institutions and continue conversations beyond the formal sessions.

Entrance to Inner Mongolia Agricultural University — Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, the host institution.活动主办地内蒙古农业大学。

Kai Ren's participant badge for the forum and summer school — My participant badge for the forum and summer school.我的论坛暨暑期学校参会证。

Meeting Professor Qiang Yu

A particularly meaningful moment was meeting my PhD supervisor, Professor Qiang Yu, in person at the event. Although his guidance has been central to my academic development, this visit gave us our first photograph together.

The gathering also offered an opportunity to reconnect with members of Professor Yu's research group. These shared moments made the visit more than a formal academic event: it was also a warm reunion built around a common interest in crop science, modelling, and agricultural research.

Professor Qiang Yu's research group at the forum and summer school.于强教授课题组成员在论坛暨暑期学校合影。

Kai Ren with his PhD supervisor Professor Qiang Yu at Inner Mongolia Agricultural University — With my PhD supervisor, Professor Qiang Yu, at Inner Mongolia Agricultural University.与博士导师于强教授在内蒙古农业大学合影。

Members of Professor Qiang Yu's research group.于强教授课题组成员合影。

The forum and summer school were a valuable opportunity to learn from current work in crop modelling and smart agriculture, renew academic connections, and mark a memorable meeting with my PhD supervisor and his research group.