Gaining practical experience at the United Nations (UN) may seem out of reach, but at Wuhan University (WHU), the opportunity has become a reality. This is particularly true through the involvement of the State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing.
Ties between WHU and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
On August 20, 2018, a delegation from WHU visited UNITAR. Both parties expressed an initial interest in cooperation.
On August 20, 2018, the cooperation between Wuhan University and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) commenced with a visit that sparked mutual interest in cooperation. WHU's remarkable academic capabilities played a crucial role in advancing this collaboration. Specifically, a research paper titled “Can night-time light images play a role in evaluating the Syrian Crisis”, authored by academician Li Xi and Li Deren from WHU, made a significant contribution. This paper was published in the prestigious International Journal of Remote Sensing and garnered substantial recognition from the academic community, as well as the UN and several international organizations. In addition, Academician Li Xi’s close association with the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) eventually paved the way for the signing of the first memorandum of understanding (MOU).
On July 3, 2023, WHU and UNITAR signed their second MOU. This momentous event coincided with UNITAR’s 60th anniversary and WHU’s 130th anniversary. During this cooperative milestone, four students from the National Key Laboratory of Surveying, Mapping, and Remote Sensing Information Engineering — Yu Xiaoyu (Ph.D. student, 2021), Gong Yu (Master student, 2022), Zhang Ruiyi (Master student, 2021), and Liu Taoyuan (Master student, 2021), completed their internships at UNOSAT, making valuable contributions to UNITAR and WHU.
When asked about their internships at the UN, all four students mentioned WHU’s pursuit of excellence and the high-level scientific research training in the laboratory as their sources of confidence. “WHU not only cultivated our solid specialized skills but also taught us problem-solving abilities. When faced with challenges, we are able to innovate and rely on our professional expertise to find solutions.”
UN Internship Stories
At the UN, the four students shone in their fields. Liu Taoyuan primarily focused on post-disaster damage assessment of buildings, developing AI for detecting damaged buildings and footprint detection. Zhang Ruiyi dedicated himself to the application of artificial intelligence in flood response, aiming to improve the algorithm for more precise automated flood segmentation. Yu Xiaoyu’s research involved remote sensing image processing, classifying different land cover types and generating land cover maps to support analysis. Gong Yu was responsible for disaster analysis based on nighttime light remote sensing, contributing to emergency response efforts.
Liu Taoyuan and his supervisor
As they moved from the laboratory to the UN, their initial challenge was to adapt to a new work mode. “The main difference lies in transitioning from a self-driven to a task-driven approach,” Yu Xiaoyu said. During the internship, professors acted as “plug-ins” providing guidance and research directions, but ultimately, the students had to explore and search for information on their own.
In their daily work, they were entrusted with completing tasks assigned by different collaborating organizations or governments. These tasks spanned a wide spectrum, from macro-level strategies to micro-level execution, and from theoretical methods to practical implementation. Effective communication and mutual understanding were crucial for achieving the team’s goals. To deliver results smoothly, they needed to understand each others’ work, methods, and progress.
Unlike the simulated data used in school, Zhang Ruiyi primarily dealt with real datasets provided by UNOSAT, which exposed her to data she had rarely encountered previously. “I needed to be flexible and transfer literature and knowledge to solve problems I encountered for the first time.”
When she found herself struggling with unfamiliar remote sensing image processing software, Yu Xiaoyu received invaluable help from her supervisor who was nine months pregnant but still patiently explained and discussed the software with her for several hours, taking breaks only when necessary. This experience deeply moved Yu Xiaoyu.
Throughout the adaptation process, the four WHUers also experienced personal growth. “The most noticeable change is in our identity. We have shifted from solving technical problems to addressing the real needs of affected people as ‘global citizens’”, said Liu Taoyuan. He increasingly felt his work was meaningful and gained a sense of accomplishment and social responsibility.
Outside of their UN work, these versatile WHU students explored various aspects of life. Liu Taoyuan developed a passion for skiing, visiting 17 resorts in six months. Yu Xiaoyu enjoyed holidays with Chinese classmates, organizing activities and receiving gift packages from the Chinese embassy. Celebrating New Year's Eve and making dumplings together created cherished memories during their UN internship, fostering a sense of unity among WHUers abroad.
Making dumplings together
Despite various difficulties in their work and personal lives, the incomparable sense of achievement after completing tasks is something they will never forget.
UNOSAT interns attended ESRI
During the internship, Gong Yu took part in data processing work of the earthquake that occurred in Turkey and Syria in February this year, despite a 7-hour jet lag. She transferred high-resolution data from China to Switzerland, attended early morning academic meetings, and made numerous revisions before publishing a 2-page report. Her report, which was cited by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), will be conserved on the UN website for people in need to download and utilize. Knowing her report has aided the rescue process in several countries, Gong Yu felt her work was valuable.
Gong Yu and her supervisor
During their UN internship, these students realized the real-world impact of their work as they applied remote sensing and computer technology to address natural disasters. Academic tasks transformed into real-life work through the demands from countries to activate UN mapping systems. Their expertise breathed life into seemingly insignificant images, extracting valuable information. They bridged the gap between data and disaster-affected people, giving them a stronger belief in their work's significance and boosting their problem-solving skills.
Through their experience, these four students offer encouragement and hope to those who aspire to embark on an internship journey at the UN. Their stories encourage future interns to take the first step towards influencing the world, and cherish the opportunity to utilize their strengths.
Rewritten by Zheng Ningqi
Edited by Zhang Jing, Qin Shihan, Cao Hangqian, Sylvia, Xi Bingqing
