In order to fully implement the spirit of the 20thNational Congress of the Communist Party of China, stimulate the interest of young students in scientific and technological innovation, promote communication between talented students from outstanding universities, and explore thematerial+innovative talent cultivation model in the context of “new engineering disciplines”. TheBoya Creative TalentNational Excellent University Student Science and Technology Innovation Forum and theRed Avenue CupNational University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition were held at Peking University from May 20thto 21st, 2023. It was jointly organized by the School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE), Peking University (PKU), School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the Peking University Communist Youth League Committee.
This event emphasizesthe combination of competition and training, aiming to provide new ideas and paradigms for thematerials+cultivation plans of innovative talents. 524 students from 91 universities across China, including Peking University and Tsinghua University, have signed upand 127 projects have been submitted, covering multiple fields such as new materials, new energy, advanced manufacturing, biomedicine, etc. The team members are mainly undergraduate students exhibiting interdisciplinary and cross-school teamwork characteristics. Through the preliminary evaluation by experts, 119 undergraduate representatives attended the event for communication. The event included multiple parts, such as guest sharing, round-table dialogues, group communication, and poster exhibition.
On the morning of May 20th, the opening ceremony of the competition was grandly held in the Sunshine Hall of the Yingjie Overseas Exchange Center at Peking University. Professor Zhang Jin, a member of the Standing Committee and a vice president of Peking University, the Dean of PKUSZ, and an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Zhang Ning, the chairman of Red Avenue New Materials CO., Ltd.; Liu Xiaoning, a partner and the chief operating officer of Matrix Patners China; Yu Zhiyun, a partner of Matrix Patners China; Han Hualong, the chairman of Jiuzhi Capital; Zhou Jiahai, the chairman of Transfar Chemicals; Huang Dubin, the chairman of Golden Feather New Energy; Geng Shu, a deputy secretary general of Peking University Education Foundation; Wei Yu, the Director of the New Engineering Construction Office; Guo Lei and Qiu Jianguo, Deputy Ministers of Office of Science and Technology Development, PKU; Huang Yun, an Assistant Director of the Alumni Work Office, PKU; Liu Deying, the Dean of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Zheng Yingzi, the Vice Dean of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship; and Zou Ruqiang, the Secretary of the CPC School of Materials Science and Engineering Committee and the Dean of SMSE attended. It was host by Lei Ting, the Assistant Dean of SMSE.
The Opening Ceremony
Professor Zhang Jin delivered the opening speech. He pointed out that in the face of a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial change, Peking University adheres to thefour orientationsas the guide, put forward the new engineering construction concept of “starting engineering with science, managing engineering with culture, and promoting multi-applications with industry”, actively explores a new model of cooperation between school and enterprise of “market-oriented and joint problem-solving”, and makes efforts to cultivate a team of outstanding engineers for China. He believes that this event will become a significant platform for the integration of industry, teaching and research; cultivatebilingualsof science and engineering,explorersof cutting-edge scientific issues, andpioneersof high-tech industries; promote the transformation and landing of scientific and technological achievements; open up new fields and new competitions for development; create new momentum and new advantages for sustainable development; accelerate the realization of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and high-quality economic and social development; and play an important role as a bridge. It is expected that in this event, young people will show their potential as a new force for the development of science and innovation, show their wisdom and build friendship in Yanyuan.
Zhang Jin is delivering the speech.
Professor Zou Ruqiang made a speech at the ceremony. He first warmly welcomed the excellent participating students and expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Red Avenue Foundation for supporting this event. Furthermore, he introduced the characteristic measures taken by SMSE in terms of talent training, discipline construction, scientific research, and the transformation of industry, university, and research. He said that SMSE would focus on serving the national plans, exploring a new paradigm of integration between school and enterprise, striving to produce more applied scientific and technological achievements that meet the needs of industries and enterprises, and cooperating with universities and enterprises to contribute to the construction of science and technology in China.
Zou Ruqiang is introducing SMSE.
In the part of the specially invited reports, with the theme of “technological innovation leads the development of the times”, Yu Zhiyun shared his thoughts on technology and innovation and his rich experience in entrepreneurship from the perspective of investing in technology entrepreneurs and around the case of Matrix Partners China and put forward valuable suggestions to the founders. From the perspective of entrepreneurs, Huang Dubin shared his six-year journey of transforming knowledge on bookshelves into products on shelves that can be mass-produced and delivered and encouraged every young man who embarked on the road of entrepreneurship to become a spark of fire.
Yu Zhiyun and Huang Dubin are making reports.
In the round-table dialogue, five distinguished guests, Xia Dingguo, Guo Lei, Zhou Jiahai, Han Hualong, and Yu Zhiyun, organized by host Xu Li, engaged in a dialogue and discussed “How universities and industry can work together to build an innovation and entrepreneurship platform for teachers and students”. They believe that the integration of schools and enterprises has become an important engine of economic development. Universities, research and development institutions, and enterprises face the questions posed by the market together and jointly answer questions and grade papers. In addition, universities, research and development institutions, and enterprises should provide solid policy support and a high-quality entrepreneurial environment for students and promote continuous breakthroughs in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Round-table Dialogue
On the afternoon of May 20th, the participating teams were divided into three groups for communications. Each team is prepared to report on the project from aspects such as “market positioning, application scenarios, core technologies, business models, team structure, and funding needs” through presentations, prototype/model demonstrations, and poster exhibitions. A panel of experts from the industry, investment area, and universities listened to their project reports one by one and had in-depth discussions with them.
Group Communication
Poster Exhibition
On the morning of May 21st, the final and closing ceremony of the competition was held in the Science Lecture Hall of Peking University Library. Experts and teachers from the industry, investment area, and universities participated as judges.
Liu Deying, the Dean of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Peking University, delivered a speech. He stated that with the rapid changes in society, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition provides students with a stage to exercise their innovative thinking and practical abilities, which assist them in adapting to future social development. Moreover, he stated that Peking University will continue to provide innovation and entrepreneurship support, build a more comprehensive innovation and entrepreneurship platform, and create more opportunities and conditions for students.
Liu Deying is delivering his speech.
Zhang Ning, the Chairman of Red Avenue New Materials GroupCO., Ltd., expressed her hope to establish a long-term companionship and care mechanism for students through this competition. She will continue to pay attention to the development of innovation and entrepreneurship education for university students and explore more cooperation opportunities with SMSE to provide more resources and support for students. She encourages young entrepreneurs to stick to their original aspirations, bravely pursue their dreams, and believe everyone can create their own splendid future.
Zhang Ning is delivering her speech.
Subsequently, 10 teams were selected by the judging panel presented reports in sequence, providing detailed introductions to their projects.
The Final Presentation.
After a few days of competition, the selection committees selected and awarded 1 special prize, 2 first prizes, 3 second prizes, 4 third prizes, 9 excellent demeanor awards, and 7 excellent poster awards. The guests presented awards to the representatives of the winning teams.
The guests presented awards to the representatives of the winning teams.
This event is organized by the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the Peking University Communist Youth League Committee. It is co-organized by the Chinese Materials Research Society, Peking University Science and Technology Association, Peking University Science and Technology Development Department, Peking University Office of Emerging Engineering and Development, Peking University Alumni Work Office, Peking University Office of New Campus Management Committee, and Peking University Engineering Training Center. In addition, this event is sponsored by Shanghai Red Avenue Public Welfare Foundation and Peking University Education Foundation. Moreover, this event also received strong support from companies such as BTR New Material Group Co., Ltd., Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd., Geely Holding Group, BASF, Graphite Valley Industrial Group, Chambroad Group, BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., DuPont China, Beijing Graphene Research Institute Co., Ltd., Founder H Found, State Grid Yingda Industrial Fund Company, Watson Investment, Granary Hard Technology Incubator, Zenergy, Sunwoda Electronic Co., Ltd., Senior Materials Co., Ltd., etc.
