AKIPRESS.COM - A summer school program for university students from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member and observer states opened on Tuesday at East China Normal University in the city, Shine reported.

Since first being launched in 2010, the SCO summer school hosted by the Shanghai Education Commission and East China Normal University has played an active role in deepening multilateral and bilateral exchanges and cooperation, promoting good-neighbourliness and friendships, and facilitating dialogue among civilizations, in particular among young people.

This year, 40 university students from SCO members – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Russia, Uzbekistan – and Belarus, an observer state of the organization, are taking part in the monthlong summer school program.

With the theme of "Adhering to the 'Shanghai Spirit' and Building a Closer SCO Community of Shared Destiny," the program will feature special lectures by Chinese and foreign scholars, Chinese language learning, cultural experiences, creative competitions, and other educational and informative activities.