Nanjing – This summer, Mr. Marvin Jade Genoguin, a PhD student in the Water Engineering and Management program, traveled to China for the 2026 “Discover Jiangsu” Hohai University International Summer Program, themed “Water Disaster Prevention and Sustainable Development.” Hosted by Hohai University — a water-resources-focused institution founded in 1915 and recognized as one of China’s leading centers for hydraulic engineering research — the program ran from June 28 to July 11 in Nanjing and nearby Changzhou. It brought together international students from across the world, including participants from California Polytechnic State University, USA, Polytech of Lille, France, and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand.

Mr. Marvin Jade Genoguin presenting at the Hohai University

On the first day, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering opened the program with a lecture on climate change and flood-drought disasters, followed by sessions from Hohai faculty covering China’s water resource management. They highlighted one of China’s water resources management policies — the “River and Lake Chief System,” under which named officials are held personally accountable for the water bodies in their jurisdiction, quotas included. Further explaining that if an allocated water usage limit is exceeded, or failure to maintain a local river properly, there are real consequences for whoever has been assigned to look after the local river.

International participants and faculty at the program in Nanjing

The group also toured Hohai’s National Key Laboratory, where participants watched researchers simulate waves, wind, and earthquake loading against scale models of offshore structures and wind-turbine platforms — including a wave pool putting a model bridge through simulated conditions, a rare hands-on look at the kind of infrastructure testing that doesn’t often make it into a classroom.

The group tours Hohai’s hydraulic engineering research facility

The program balanced its technical content with a deep dive into Chinese history and culture. The group visited the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, learning about the Japanese invasion and occupation of the city in 1937 — a visit Marvin described as one of the more sobering parts of the trip. Participants also had Chinese Gongfu lessons, traditional painting, clay sculpture, and tea culture, alongside each participant receiving a Chinese name of their own.

Participants visit the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders

As part of the program, all participants were tasked with making presentations on water related disaster preparedness. Mr. Marvin delivered a master-class presentation on “Assimilating Satellite-Derived Hydrological Observations in a Distributed Hydrological Model for Water Level Forecasting.” and his presentation positioned him as one of five students recognized with a Best Presentation Award, which was awarded to the top presenters during the closing ceremony of the program.

Mr. Marvin Jade Genoguin delivered his presentation on “Assimilating Satellite-Derived Hydrological Observations in a Distributed Hydrological Model for Water Level Forecasting”

Mr. Marvin expressed his gratitude to his advisor, Dr. Natthachet Tangdamrongsub, who is the WEM program chair and assistant professor, for encouraging him to apply for the program. He also credited Ms. Danielle Duan, Head Emerging Market International Cooperation – Office of International and Public Affairs. In addition, he further extends his appreciation to AIT and Hohai University for providing this opportunity and supporting student’s academic development.  “It was such a big gesture from AIT,” Marvin said. “I’m really thankful.”