12 Dec 2025
On 4 December 2025, Dr. Ankit Garg, an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Environmental Science within the School of Science at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), accompanied by teaching assistants Ms. Siqi and Mr. Wenyao, led undergraduate students from the Sustainable Energy course (ENV220) on a field visit to Suzhou Guanghui New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
During the visit, Dr. Yang Lifei, CEO of Guanghui New Energy, delivered a comprehensive two-hour presentation on flexible heterojunction solar panels. He detailed their structural design, advantages, and current limitations, illustrating these points with real-world case studies such as an innovative vertical solar light and an offshore solar lighting platform. Dr. Yang discussed the various challenges encountered in each project, including installation, upfront costs, operational expenses, and long-term durability. He also examined material characteristics and applications from an ESG perspective, underscoring the technology’s role in the sustainable energy landscape.
The Q&A session demonstrated the students’ strong engagement and intellectual curiosity. They posed thoughtful questions, such as, “What is the product's lifespan, and is there a recycling pathway once it reaches end-of-life?”, prompting a deeper discussion on sustainability and lifecycle thinking. When Dr. Yang mentioned challenges in calculating the product’s carbon footprint, some students offered insights into how a complete Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) could be used to evaluate its overall environmental impact. Their contributions highlighted the enthusiasm and analytical mindset that ENV220 students bring to ESG-related topics. Toward the end of the visit, Dr. Yang shared his personal entrepreneurial journey, describing his transition from academic research to industrial innovation and how new opportunities emerge in the renewable energy sector. The lively conversations reflected a productive learning atmosphere and a meaningful exchange between students and industry experts. The visit provided students with valuable firsthand exposure to sustainable energy technologies and encouraged them to explore future career pathways aligned with ESG principles.
In 2025, under the guidance of Prof. Eben Goodale, Head of the Department of Health and Environmental Science, a new dedicated "ESG" pathway was introduced within the BSc Environmental Science undergraduate major. XJTLU and the School of Science (led by Dean, Prof. John Moraros) are among the first universities and leading academic units in China to offer such a specialized pathway in a BSc Environmental Sciences programme. It provides several distinct advantages: 1) an interdisciplinary, integrated educational model; 2) dual mentorship (academic and industry) throughout the programme; and 3) close links between academia and enterprise. This establishes an educational model that integrates theory, case studies, and practical experience within leading industry settings in Suzhou, China, and beyond.
Content by Dr Lili
Review:Professor John Moraros
12 Dec 2025