The closing ceremony of the 17th Challenge Cup,the national university student extracurricular academic science and technology work competition, was held in the university recently. Leaders attending the event included Fu Zhenbang, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Communist Youth League central committee, Yang Xingping, vice governor of Sichuan Province, Yuan Yaxiang, director of the Challenge Cup national evaluation committee and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chairman Wang Jianguo of the SCU university council, President Li Yanrong, vice presidents Liang Bin, Yao Leye, and Chu Liangyin, Guo Yong, deputy secretary of the Party committee of SCU, and so on. Due to the pandemic, the ceremony took the form of internet network, with two venues in Chengdu and Beijing.

In his speech, Wang Jianguo thanked all sectors of society for their support and help on behalf of SCU. He said that the 17th Challenge Cup competition was hosted by Sichuan University, which represented the full trust and high recognition of Sichuan University by the central committee of the Communist Youth League and the provincial government. During the finals, SCU’s team of teachers and students went to Beijing to serve the contestants’ defense evaluation, ensured the efficient work of the finals, and presented a wonderful, characteristic and unforgettable Challenge Cup event for college teachers and students all over the country.

Yang Xingping said in his speech that being a province with great economic output, ample resources and developed science and education, Sichuan places this event high on its priority list. During the competition, the college students actively participated in various competition events, challenged each other intellectually, exchanged achievements and competed for talents, and collectively turned in wonderful performances at this youth event.

Yuan Yaxiang introduced the evaluation work. He said that the judges are professional and authoritative, the evaluation is fair and impartial, and the results are objective and authoritative.

On behalf of the student contestants, Liu Yihui, a grand prize winner and student from Tsinghua University, thanked the organizing committee of the competition. He hoped that more students would embark on the road of serving the country through science and technology after the challenge cup and contribute their youth to the construction of a scientific and technological power.

In his speech, Fu Zhenbang congratulated all participating teachers and students, award-winning universities and teams, and thanked all judges and instructors, as well as Sichuan University, which hosted the competition. He said that this Challenge Cup is a fair competition that has involved wide participation and coordinated development. A total of over 22,000 works from 2,500 colleges and universities participated, and the number of participating colleges and universities and students involved reached a record high.

Zhong Nanshan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, sent a video message to young students. In the journey of building a world power in science and technology, young college students not only have great prospects, but also should achieve great success.

Ouyang Ziyuan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences sent a video message to young college students. A strong youth makes a strong country. In the journey of scientific research, youth is one of the most beautiful colors. College students are in their prime. I believe you young people will do better than our generation.

Liu Qingfeng, a prize winner of the fifth Challenge Cup competition and chairman of iFLYTEK, sent a video message to young students. Strong science and technology makes the country influential in the world, and strong youth entrepreneurship makes China’s industry strong.

In his speech, President Li Yanrong said that in the two-year process of organizing the competition, everyone overcame difficulties, fought the pandemic, and went all out to run the competition well, so that the "Challenge Cup", resumed 30 years later glowed with new brilliance. He said that the original plan was to invite more than 5,000 teachers and students from all over the country to the campus of Sichuan University. Due to the pandemic, we had to get together online. On behalf of the university, he sincerely welcomed and invited young students to visit Chengdu and the campus of Sichuan University after the pandemic so as to enhance friendship through exchanges and interaction.

In the competition, SCU students won two grand prizes, three first prizes,one grand prize in the "Unveiling and Commanding" special competition; four grand prizes in the "Red Special Activity"; one “Galaxy Level" title in the "Black Technology" special competition, the highest award of “Black Technology”. What’s more, SCU ranked third in terms of overall score nationwide, and won the "Excellent Cup" and the excellent organization award.

CCTV News reported on the grand occasion of this Challenge Cup.