The 9th Environmental Protection Industry Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition was a resounding success at Nanjing University, held on May 30, 2024. The event formed a key part of the Nanjing University Graduate Academic Science and Technology Festival and the “Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Environmental Protection Industry” course. The competition was hosted by the School of Environment, co-organized by various industry partners, and guided by the university’s Office of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Achievement Transformation, Graduate School, Undergraduate School, and Youth League Committee.
During the event, Mr. Lu Xiancai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of Nanjing University, delivered an inspiring address. He underlined the university’s dedication to interdisciplinary studies, industry-education integration, and innovation-driven development. Mr. Lu Xiancai particularly emphasised the university’s commitment to leading industrial innovation with scientific and technological breakthroughs, citing the recent accolade won by the industrial wastewater treatment technology and equipment team led by Academician Ren Hongqiang.
The competition drew more than 170 participants and received 27 innovative entries, culminating in a captivating showcase of talent during the final round. The finalists competed in two stages: “Project Roadshow” and “60s Elevator Sales”. Through these stages, the innovative projects exhibited the practical explorations of Nanjing University teachers and students in the pursuit of new quality productivity, showcasing the university’s interdisciplinary study advantages.
The top winners of the competition included projects such as “Jianxin Environmental Protection – Pioneer in the Frontline of New Water Pollutant Detection” and “Huanren Huixin – Intelligent and Accurate Enterprise Environmental Risk Management Expert in the Whole Process”. These projects distinguished themselves by their excellence and innovative nature.
Furthermore, the competition formed part of the practical teaching for the “Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Environmental Protection Industry” course. This course, jointly organized by the School of Environment and the Environmental Alumni Association, has been successfully held for nine sessions, attracting over 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 10 colleges and departments across the university.
The course features theoretical teaching sessions, including insightful lectures by prominent academic and industry figures. It has also incorporated practical teaching elements, providing students with the opportunity to visit and experience cutting-edge environmental organizations and projects. This comprehensive approach has allowed students to develop a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the environmental protection industry.
The success of the 9th Environmental Protection Industry Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition at Nanjing University underscores the institution’s commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship. The competition has not only provided a platform for students to showcase their talents, but has also reinforced the university’s dedication to cultivating high-level environmental protection talents and promoting the construction of national ecological civilization.
In conclusion, the event reflects Nanjing University’s unwavering pursuit of excellence in environmental innovation and entrepreneurship, bringing forth a new generation of students devoted to making significant contributions to the environmental protection industry. Through such initiatives, Nanjing University continues to establish new benchmarks for environmental education and innovation, empowering students to emerge as future leaders in the field.