Wuhan University (WHU) hosted its first symposium on sediment transport & fluvial processes in large rivers from May 16 to 18, discussing sediment transport mechanisms and river evolution processes in changing environments.

Over 100 experts and scholars from more than 40 universities and research institutions across 10 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, participated in the event.

Qu Wenqian, deputy Party secretary of WHU, highlighted the university's foundation in river dynamics and sediment science, expressing hope that WHU will enhance collaboration with domestic and international peers to integrate scientific understanding with practical governance and contribute to the sustainable management of global river systems.

Xia Junqiang, chair of the symposium, emphasized the complexity of large river systems, which involve water and sediment processes, channel evolution, flood safety, ecological environment, and engineering regulation.

He noted that addressing these issues requires long-term, interdisciplinary, and international cooperation, with the conference aiming to provide a high-level academic exchange platform that promotes collaborative innovation among global experts.

Several prominent experts delivered speeches, including Professor Gary Parker of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Professor Fang Hongwei, vice-president of Southern University of Science and Technology, and Professor Alistair G. L. Borthwick, a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The conference featured four parallel sessions focusing on river dynamics, sediment transport, channel and estuarine geomorphology evolution, flood prevention and mitigation, ecological responses, and sediment control.