In February 2025, the first SJTU-UMN China Bridge Challenge Program, jointly launched by our university and the University of Minnesota, successfully concluded! Centered on the theme "Strategies for an Evolving U.S.-China Relationship: Joint Initiatives in Renewable Energy and Green Technology," the competition brought together outstanding students from both institutions to form cross-cultural teams, exploring collaborative opportunities and challenges in green technology between China and the U.S.
Each team, composed of undergraduates from the University of Minnesota and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, engaged in cross-cultural collaboration through online discussions, proposing innovative solutions to contribute fresh perspectives for Sino-U.S. cooperation in addressing shared challenges. After nearly three months of intense competition, two teams stood out, securing the championship and runner-up titles respectively!
Champion Team:
Team Comprising Ding Xiaohan (Zhiyuan College), Liang Yanjie (School of Mechanical Engineering), and Zhou Tianyu (School of Environmental Science and Engineering) from SJTU, along with Liu Xiaotong, Akshay Rai, and Yichen Yao from the University of Minnesota, presented a groundbreaking solution under the theme Global City Connections for a Greener Future: Collaborative Learning, Shared Efforts, and Scalable Actions, demonstrating outstanding achievements in cross-cultural collaboration.
Runner-up Team
A team consisting of Wang Zixuan (School of Foreign Languages) and Wang Xiwen (School of Design) from SJTU, along with Christian Stuart, Max Wang, and Bradley Vincent from the University of Minnesota, developed an innovative joint initiative titled Embracing the Future: Joint Energy Storage Initiative. Focusing on future energy storage technologies, their proposal demonstrated the strong potential of cross-disciplinary collaboration.
A defining feature of this competition was its unique cross-cultural, interdisciplinary collaboration model, which provided students with a multifaceted exchange platform. Students from diverse majors including engineering, environmental science, foreign languages, and design worked together through hybrid online-offline coordination. They overcame challenges of time zones, language barriers, and cultural differences to engage in profound discussions and cooperation. Participants not only contributed diverse perspectives and innovative thinking grounded in their respective academic backgrounds, but also explored how to integrate knowledge across disciplines through cross-cultural communication. This enabled them to jointly address challenges in renewable energy and green technology faced by both China and the U.S. The intersection of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural thinking not only stimulated team creativity but also demonstrated the wisdom and sense of responsibility of the younger generation in tackling global issues. Through this competition, students enhanced their problem-solving capabilities while gaining a deeper appreciation for the significance of international collaboration. Their unique perspectives and innovative solutions represent valuable contributions to addressing future global challenges.
