ACP Summer School 2026

CP: Explanation, Verification and Applications
Changchun, China
24 - 28 August 2026

ACP Summer School 2026 Starts In

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About the Summer School

ACP Summer School is committed to creating an inclusive environment.
Please refer to our Duty of Respect and Equal Opportunity Policy.

series overview

The ACP Summer School is a series spearheaded by the Association for Constraint Programming (CP) as a means to augment and complement university teaching of CP, and to disseminate a core body of CP knowledge supporting the recognition of CP as a mature and relevant technology for use in industry. ACP Summer School 2026 will be hosted by Jilin University and held in Changchun, China, from the 24th to 28th August 2026.

2026 program

The Summer School, themed “CP: Explanation, Verification and Applications,” will feature eight international experts providing a general introduction to CP and applications, in addition to specialised topics. Learning activities include lectures and hands-on sessions. A hackathon will also be organised, allowing learners to further practise their skills. Teaching Assistants will be available to guide learners and enhance their learning experience.

target audience

PhD and Master's students, young PhD graduates and industrial practitioners who want to gain a good understanding of CP and its current research directions are all welcome. Prior knowledge of CP is not assumed, but general problem-solving skills, good programming and mathematical know-how are useful.

event schedule

TBD

our speakers

Peter Stuckey

Peter J. Stuckey

Monash University
Australia

Guido Tack

Guido Tack

Monash University
Australia

Alexey Ignatiev

Alexey Ignatiev

Monash University
Australia

Emir Demirovic

Emir Demirović

Delft University of Technology, Netherlands

Tias Guns

Tias Guns

KU Leuven
Belgium

Ciaran McCreesh

Ciaran McCreesh

University of Glasgow
UK

Helmut Simonis

Helmut Simonis

University College Cork
Ireland

Allen Zhong

Allen Z. Zhong

Monash University
Australia

Event Venue

Homm Changchun Beihu Hotel

This year’s Summer School will take place at the Homm Changchun Beihu Hotel, located within the Changchun Beihu National Wetland Park. Set amid water, greenery, and open skies, the venue offers a calm and spacious environment that supports focused learning, in-depth discussion, and sustained intellectual engagement.

The hotel provides comfortable on-site accommodation together with a range of modern lecture halls and meeting rooms equipped with professional audiovisual facilities. Partipants may move between living spaces, classrooms, and informal discussion areas, encouraging both structured learning and spontaneous academic exchange.

Beyond the classrooms, participants may step directly into the surrounding park for a short walk, a conversation, or a moment of reflection between sessions.

Contact Information

Address: No. 2051 Hupan Street, Beihu Science and Technology Development Zone, Changchun New Area, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China
Zip Code: 130102
Phone: +86-431-87899999

Transportation Info

950 meters from Beihu Park Metro Station (14-minute walk)
About 10.53 km from the city center (straight-line distance)
About 8 km from Changchun Railway Station

Accommodation & Surroundings

Registration Details

Pre-Registration Survey

Please complete the survey first before proceeding with registration (required for all applicants)

Registration deadline: 7 July 2026

Participation will require a payment of €500. To register, please complete the expression of interest form (including whether you require a visa to enter China).

Registration is a two-step process:

  • Step 1 - Complete the intention form: Please fill in the expression of interest form and provide relevant information, including whether you require a visa for entry into China. You will receive a confirmation email acknowledging your registration. It'll also include payment instructions.
  • Step 2 - Complete payment: All payments should be made in advance in Euro (EUR, €) within 14 days of your registration. After successful payment, you will receive a second email confirming that we have received your payment.

Official Communication Notice: For any questions about the Summer School, please contact us at acpss2026@gmail.com. This is the sole official email address used for communication with participants.

Participation with Shared Accommodation

€500.00

With shared accommodation (2 persons)

Financial Support

We offer partial financial support to a limited number of applicants to assist Summer School participants with demonstrated financial need, particularly those traveling long distances. Financial support is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.

If you wish to be considered for financial support, you must complete the relevant sections of the registration form fully and accurately, as all decisions are based solely on the information provided during registration. Evaluation criteria may include, but are not limited to, travel distance, research direction and output, background, career stage, and motivation for attending the Summer School.

You will be notified of the financial support decision within 14 days after completing registration.

If financial support is granted, recipients will be given an additional 14-day period to complete the registration payment. Failure to do so will result in the automatic withdrawal of the financial support offer.

Registration Fee Includes

What's included in your registration fee (€500 per participant)

🍽️

Catering

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Banquet
  • Coffee breaks
🏨

Accommodation

  • Shared twin room
    • 23 check in
    • 29 check out
  • Free Wi-Fi
📦

Materials & Souvenirs

  • Name badge
  • Gift
🎉

Social event

  • Venue
  • Activities
🚗

Local transportation

  • 23 Aug: Airport → Hotel
  • 29 Aug: Hotel → Airport

Local Information

Weather

In August, Changchun’s average daily temperature ranges from 19°C to 28°C, with a day–night difference of about 10°C. We recommend participants to bring a light jacket as well as an umbrella in case of wet weather.

Travelling to Changchun, China

International travel to China

Most international participants from Australia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, and other regions will first arrive at a major international gateway city in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, or Chengdu. From there, travelers will take a domestic flight to Changchun Longjia International Airport (CGQ, Changchun’s main international airport).

  • Major international hubs include:
    Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) / Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX).
    Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) / Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
    Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN).
    Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX).
    Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN).
    Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) / Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU).
  • Changchun (CGQ) has frequent domestic flight connections from all major Chinese hubs.

Typical travel routes

Common travel routes include:

  • North America / Europe → Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou → Changchun (CGQ).
  • Australia → Beijing / Shanghai / Guangzhou / Shenzhen → Changchun (CGQ).

Most routes involve one international flight followed by one domestic transfer within China.

Transfer tips (within China)

When transferring from an international flight to a domestic flight within China, travelers should allow sufficient time for arrival and transfer procedures.

  • Recommended transfer time: 2–3 hours.
  • If checked baggage is through-checked to Changchun, a 2-hour transfer is usually sufficient.
  • If baggage must be claimed and re-checked, additional time may be required.
  • Large hub airports may involve long walking distances or terminal changes.

Arrival in Changchun

Changchun Longjia International Airport (CGQ) is the main airport serving Changchun city.

  • Flight time from Beijing: approximately 2 hours.
  • Flight time from Shanghai: approximately 3 hours.
  • Airport to city center: approximately 30–45 minutes by taxi or airport shuttle.

Visa & Entry notice

Participants should check the latest Chinese visa and transit policies applicable to their nationality before departure.

  • Some nationalities may qualify for visa-free transit under specific conditions.
  • Entry requirements may change; please consult the nearest Chinese embassy or official government sources.

Transportation

Airport Shuttle Service

  • Complimentary Shuttle: We provide a shuttle service between Changchun Longjia International Airport. Detailed pick-up times and meeting points will be announced in advance.
  • Public Transportation:
    • Intercity EMU Trains: Direct service from the airport to Longjia Station, with transfers to Changchun Station.
    • Airport Shuttle Buses: Routes 1–3 operate between major city hubs and the airport; fares are CNY 25 per person.
    • Taxis: Taxis are readily available at the airport. The fare to the city center typically ranges from CNY 80 to CNY 120, depending on distance and traffic conditions.

Downtown Transportation

  • Subway/Light Rail: A network of six lines connects major districts and attractions, operating from 05:15 to 22:35, with fares ranging CNY 2–4.
  • Bus: Extensive routes, some directly reaching scenic spots, with fares starting from CNY 1-2, seamlessly connecting with the subway system.

Currency

  • Local Currency: The official currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY).
  • Payment Methods: WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely accepted and are preferred payment methods. Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay are accepted at hotels and most local merchants. For easy payment, we recommend that you link an international credit card (e.g., Visa or Mastercard) to WeChat Pay or Alipay before arrival.
  • Cash Withdrawals and Currency Exchange: You may withdraw cash at Changchun Longjia International Airport. Currency exchange services are available at more than 500 locations across Changchun.
  • ATM Withdrawal: You may use ATMs at the airport or in major business districts to make cash withdrawals with Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay cards. ATMs generally support English interfaces, and withdrawals are processed at real-time exchange rates, with fees set by the issuing bank.

Tourist attractions

  • Changchun North Lake National Wetland Park(Hotel Location): A comprehensive urban ecological park that takes wetland ecology as its core and integrates nature conservation and leisure functions. Come here for a walk during breaks.
  • Recommended to visit post-Summer School
    • Puppet Manchukuo Palace Museum: Once the palace of Puyi, the last emperor of China and the emperor of the puppet Manchukuo regime.
    • Jingyuetan National Forest Park: Known as the "Lung of the City", it boasts abundant vegetation and beautiful scenery.
    • Changchun World Sculpture park: Gathers sculptural works from all around the world.

About the Organizer

Jilin University

Rich history

Founded in 1946, Jilin University (JLU) is one of China's key comprehensive universities under the direct administration of the Ministry of Education. It covers 13 major disciplines including science, engineering, medicine, and humanities.

Academic excellence

JLU brings together distinguished scholars, including academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Engineering, supported by advanced research platforms and a collaborative academic environment.

International cooperation

With partnerships across more than 300 universities worldwide, JLU actively promotes global academic exchange, joint research initiatives, and student mobility programs.

Our Sponsors

Thanks to our partners for supporting ACP Summer School 2026