From August 8 to August 21, 2024, a global scientific excursion on ecological protection and water security was organized by NJU School of Earth Sciences and Engineering. The 14-day event brought together participants from NJU and other four universities in China—Hohai University, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Ningxia University, and North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power. They visited and conducted research in the Taihu Lake Basin in China, the Adelaide Plains, the Lower Murray-Darling Basin, and the Limestone Coast in Australia.

Led by Professor Yueqing Xie from NJU School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, the faculty and students from all five universities collaborating on cutting-edge research. The team conducted field investigations at various sites, including Murray Bridge, Mount Gambier, Naracoorte Caves, St Kilda Mangrove Trail, Oaklands Park Wetlands, and the South Australia Botanic Garden. They also engaged in seminars and experiments at the University of South Australia, Flinders University, and the University of Adelaide. The comprehensive activities covered a range of topics, including surface and groundwater studies, water resource management, the ecological significance of water resources, plant water utilization, and ecological protection.

The excursion provided students with invaluable opportunities to apply their water science knowledge in real-world contexts and to broaden their international perspectives. It is expected that this project will lead to more collaborative efforts in the future, significantly contributing to global water resource security and environmental protection.