RISE (Rural International Student Exchange) is a student-run organization formed in 2011 at Tsinghua University. The goal of the organization is to promote sustainable development in rural areas and around China. At the same time, it provides a forum for local and international students to interact, and acquire hands-on experience working towards the same goal of rising up rural China. RISE consists of two departments: Water Safety Department and Climate Change Department. In the past years, Water Safety Department has successfully spread its biosand filter technology in underdeveloped rural areas in Ningxia, Shanxi Province. The research achievement has been published on SCI, and has won many awards in Tsinghua. In addition, RISE has also investigated the water quality of grasslands, woodlands and lakes in Inner Mongolia, Yunnan and other regions. Currently, the Water Safety Department has been researching into a new filter based on electro-flocculation, as well as decentralized wastewater treatment in rural areas. The Climate Change Department has successfully held six Model Climate Change Conference of Parties, and has conducted a series of surveys and social practices on photovoltaic industries, cleaner energy, alternative energy vehicles during vacations and carbon market. RISE has been one of the ten best students’ associations in Tsinghua since 2016 and won many awards and honors since its establishment.
