On the morning of September 1, the finals of the Fifth China-ASEAN International Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition took place at the National University Sci & Tech Park of GZU. This event, co-hosted by GZU and Southwest University, was organized by the National University Sci & Tech Park of GZU and the Beibei National University Sci & Tech Park in Chongqing, with guidance from the Southwest Alliance of University Sci & Tech Parks. Important attendees included Linghu Caitao, Deputy Secretary of the CPC GZU Committee; Liu Shuangquan, Deputy Director of the Management Center of the National University Sci & Tech Park of Southwest University and Director of the Management Committee of the Beibei National University Sci & Tech Park in Chongqing; Zhang Bin, Party Secretary and Dean of Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship of Southwest University and member of the National Graduate Employment and Entrepreneurship Guidance Committee under the Ministry of Education. Also present were the heads of the Office of International Relations and the College of International Education of GZU.

The competition, themed “Innovation Without Borders, Entrepreneurship for New Development”, aimed to foster exchanges and cooperation among young university students from China and ASEAN. It provided platform services and logistical support for ASEAN students to start businesses in China, encouraged ASEAN students to settle in China for innovation and entrepreneurship, and showcased the educational achievements of ASEAN students in China.

Linghu Caitao delivered a speech in which she emphasized that GZU, as Guizhou’s only “Double First Class” university and the only university in Guizhou jointly built by the provincial government and the Ministry of Education, is dedicated to fostering friendly and fruitful cooperation with educational institutions in ASEAN. Since GZU began hosting this competition in 2018, it has steadfastly adhered to the fundamental task of nurturing talents with a focus on moral education. GZU has conducted a series of innovation and entrepreneurship activities, utilizing competitions to enhance teaching, learning and innovation. By promoting innovation and entrepreneurship activities and practices, cultivating innovative and entrepreneurial talents, and fostering a strong atmosphere of scientific and academic research, GZU has achieved numerous innovative accomplishments and significantly fueled cultural exchanges between Chinese and ASEAN students.

A total of 121 projects from 43 universities participated in the competition. Following preliminary reviews and online semi-final presentations, 26 projects advanced to the finals. To ensure fair and high-quality evaluations, the finals featured a panel of five judges, including university leaders and entrepreneurs from various fields, as well as two technical experts.

Participants engaged in friendly exchanges and close collaboration, fully embodying the theme of the competition. The projects covered various fields, including agriculture, new medical science, electronic information, and bio-health. After intense competition, 2 projects won first prizes, 4 received second prizes, 8 secured third prizes, and 12 were awarded excellence prizes. Notably, “Putuo Biology - A Disruptor in High-end Model Animal Research and Production” from Southwest University and “Sour Soup as an Intangible Cultural Heritage – Innovative Use of Germplasm Resources to Support Rural Revitalization” clinched the first prizes.

Editor: Pang Aizhong, Li Xuefei

Chief Editor: Li Xufeng

Senior Editor: Yang Nan

Translator: Jia Haibo