XJTLU Students Win Second Prize in the DWA Global University Challenge

On April 20th, at the DWA Global University Challenge held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, the student team from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University won the second prize with their outstanding professional knowledge and innovative ability. The event was co-organized by the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA), aiming to promote academic exchange and enhance practical skills in the field of environmental science.

The challenge attracted teams from 14 universities including Tongji University, Wuhan University, Tianjin University, etc., with a total of one first prize, three second prizes, and four third prizes awarded. The student team from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University stood out in the fierce competition, demonstrating the university's teaching achievements and students' practical abilities in the field of environmental science.

The award-winning team consisted of three students majoring in Environmental Science from the School of Science at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University: Hao LIU, Jingyi PANG, and Bowen TAN. Under the careful guidance of Dr. Sujie QIN, they successfully responded to each part of the competition through in-depth research and meticulous preparation. The challenge was divided into two stages. The first stage required participating teams to collect information within the German exhibition area of the Environmental Expo and complete a report. The team members conducted in-depth research on the highlights of solid waste recycling and utilization exhibitors, and a detailed analysis of products of interest. The second stage was to design a planning scheme for water supply and drainage, solid waste, and energy engineering based on the provided topographic maps and background information within one hour, and to elaborate on the plan from different roles.

Students’ Learnings

Jingyi Pang: It was a great opportunity for us to engage in learning and competition with various universities across the country. During the event, we had friendly exchanges with students from different schools and encountered diverse educational methods and knowledge systems. The competition also prompted us to consider pollution control from an urban planning perspective, connecting our academic learning with real-world situations. It was a valuable practical experience.

Bowen Tan: The competition was a valuable learning experience for me, which not only tested my ability to adapt and apply my knowledge of environmental science in an engineering context, but also emphasized the importance of effective teamwork and communication under pressure. Facing the challenge of entering an unfamiliar field, we prepared diligently and thought strategically to win the second prize. It also highlights the unique educational approach of the Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, which is to develop students' distinctive ways of thinking so that they can stand out from the fierce competition. The judges' comments also proved that through this interdisciplinary and international educational experience, students develop innovative and unique problem-solving skills.

The School of Science from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University places a high emphasis on fostering a scientific research atmosphere, providing ample preparation and support for students participating in competitions. The School offers undergraduate majors in Environmental Science, Applied Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Bioinformatics.

For more details, please contact: Science@xjtlu.edu.cn