11 Jun 2026
Figure 1: The XJTLU team proudly holding their Second-Prize certificate and the Best AI Poster trophy
The national finale of the FedEx "University Student Environmental Entrepreneurship Challenge" (USEEC), co-hosted by Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) and the All-China Environment Federation (ACEF), drew to a triumphant close in Beijing on May 7, 2026. Standing out among 147 competitive entries from over a hundred universities nationwide, a student delegation from the Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) School of Science captured two prestigious accolades. Their visionary project, "Paddy Field 007: An Ecological Flower Strip Solution as a Pesticide Alternative," earned them First Runner-Up in the Ecological Protection track and the top prize for the Most Popular AI Poster. This dual victory serves as a powerful testament to the ingenuity and dynamism of XJTLU students in championing ecological conservation and sustainable development.
Operating under the theme "Co-Create the Future," the competition was engineered to inspire university students to leverage entrepreneurial thinking to solve pressing environmental dilemmas, ultimately accelerating the transition toward a low-carbon, sustainable future. The event featured a primary track focused on "Innovation in the Sustainable Express Packaging Supply Chain," complemented by four specialized sub-tracks encompassing Ecological Protection, Climate and Energy, Pollution Prevention, and Comprehensive Issues. The challenge generated immense nationwide interest, drawing 147 submissions from over 100 higher education institutions. Following a grueling seven-month vetting process, an elite cohort of just 15 projects advanced to the grand finale, converging in Beijing on May 7 to vie for the championship titles.
Figure 2: Snapshots from the competition finale
Under the expert guidance of Dr. Xueqing He, the XJTLU team—Yuxuan Bao, Aobo Zhang, and Lianqi Zhou from School of Science and Xuanshang Dong from School of Mathematics and Physics—tackled the critical intersections of agricultural non-point source pollution and biodiversity loss. Their groundbreaking "ecological flower strip" initiative offers a viable substitute for conventional chemical pesticides. By deploying this method, the team successfully demonstrated how to fortify the self-regulating mechanisms of agrarian ecosystems without compromising food security. Praised for its seamless integration of forward-looking technology and pragmatic field application, the proposal won high acclaim from a distinguished judging panel of government, industry, and academic leaders, culminating in their second-place finish in the Ecological Protection division.
Figure 3: XJTLU team group photo (left to right): Dr. Xueqing He (Advisor), Yuxuan Bao, Xuanshang Dong, Lianqi Zhou, and Aobo Zhang
In tandem with the main pitch, the team also dominated an online AI poster contest open to all finalist groups. By brilliantly synthesizing rigorous scientific concepts with compelling visual artistry, their submission resonated strongly with the public, amassing a sweeping 2,051 votes to secure the highly coveted "Most Popular AI Poster" award.
Figure 4: The award presentation moment on site
This year's challenge successfully galvanized a new generation of environmental trailblazers from across the country. Through the robust synergy of government bodies, corporate sponsors, and academic institutions, participants were afforded a premier platform for hands-on practice, augmented by comprehensive mentorship. For the XJTLU School of Science students, achieving such monumental success in their inaugural appearance is not merely a reflection of their robust academic foundations and interdisciplinary agility; it is a vivid endorsement of the School's enduring commitment to research-led teaching and experiential learning.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winning team! We remain confident that the scholars of the School of Science will continue to pioneer breakthroughs in environmental innovation and sustainability, translating their youthful vision into tangible forces that reshape our world for the better.
Content：Dr Xueqing He、Xuanshang Dong
11 Jun 2026