The inaugural Shanghai Jiao Tong University-University of Minnesota China Bridge Challenge Program (SJTU-UMN China Bridge Challenge Program) co-hosted by our university and the University of Minnesota (UMN) successfully concluded! With 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 universities to form cross-cultural teams, exploring collaborative opportunities and challenges in green technology between China and the U.S.
Each team consisted of undergraduate students from UMN and SJTU, who engaged in cross-cultural cooperation through online discussions to propose innovative solutions and contribute fresh ideas to Sino-U.S. collaboration on shared global challenges. After nearly three months of intense competition, two teams emerged as winners, claiming the championship and runner-up titles!
Champion Team
Comprising Ding Xiaohan (Zhiyuan College), Liang Yanjie (School of Mechanical Engineering), Zhou Tianyu (School of Environmental Science and Engineering) from SJTU, and Liu Xiaotong, Akshay Rai, and Yichen Yao from UMN, the champion team proposed a forward-looking solution titled "Global City Connections for a Greener Future: Collaborative Learning, Shared Efforts, and Scalable Actions", showcasing exceptional results of cross-cultural collaboration.
Runner-Up Team
Formed by Wang Zixuan (School of Foreign Languages), Wang Xiwen (School of Design) from SJTU, and Christian Stuart, Max Wang, Bradley Vincent from UMN, the runner-up team focused on "Embracing the Future: Joint Energy Storage Initiative", presenting an innovative proposal on future energy storage technology and demonstrating the powerful potential of interdisciplinary cooperation.
The competition stood out for its unique model of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary collaboration, providing students with a diverse exchange platform. Students from engineering, environmental science, foreign languages, design, and other fields formed teams, overcoming time zone differences, language barriers, and cultural disparities through a combination of online and offline interactions. Leveraging their diverse professional backgrounds, they contributed multi-faceted perspectives and innovative thinking, exploring how to integrate knowledge across disciplines to address challenges in renewable energy and green technology for both nations. This collision of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural ideas not only ignited team creativity but also highlighted the wisdom and responsibility of the younger generation in tackling global issues. Through the competition, students enhanced their problem-solving skills and gained a profound understanding of the importance of international cooperation, contributing youthful perspectives and innovative solutions to global challenges.
Words from Awarded Students
Ding Xiaohan:
"I am honored to participate in the China Bridge Challenge. During the preparation, I deeply felt the team’s cohesion—everyone contributed their thoughts and wisdom to our proposal. Friendship and respect allowed ideas to collide and spark brilliance through communication!"
"I am honored to participate in the China Bridge Challenge. During the preparation, I deeply felt the team’s cohesion—everyone contributed their thoughts and wisdom to our proposal. Friendship and respect allowed ideas to collide and spark brilliance through communication!"
Liang Yanjie:
"Participating in the China Bridge Challenge was an unforgettable experience. Our project focused on 'Sino-U.S. cooperation in renewable energy and green technology within evolving bilateral relations,' using StoryMap as a medium to promote energy data exchange between students from both universities. In our cross-cultural collaboration, we overcame time zones and language barriers, working closely with our U.S. teammates. This not only improved our communication skills but also deepened our understanding of their collaborative models and broadened our international vision. I realized that despite cultural differences, open and inclusive communication and cooperation driven by shared goals can efficiently achieve collaborative innovation, inspiring new ideas through cultural integration. I look forward to more such events building broader platforms for in-depth Sino-U.S. youth cooperation across all fields. May the China Bridge program continue to thrive!"
"Participating in the China Bridge Challenge was an unforgettable experience. Our project focused on 'Sino-U.S. cooperation in renewable energy and green technology within evolving bilateral relations,' using StoryMap as a medium to promote energy data exchange between students from both universities. In our cross-cultural collaboration, we overcame time zones and language barriers, working closely with our U.S. teammates. This not only improved our communication skills but also deepened our understanding of their collaborative models and broadened our international vision. I realized that despite cultural differences, open and inclusive communication and cooperation driven by shared goals can efficiently achieve collaborative innovation, inspiring new ideas through cultural integration. I look forward to more such events building broader platforms for in-depth Sino-U.S. youth cooperation across all fields. May the China Bridge program continue to thrive!"
Zhou Tianyu:
"The competition centered on Sino-U.S. relations and green technology. I drew from everyday creativity (regenerative braking ideas from my metro commute) and laboratory research (metal-doped oxygen electrode coatings) to propose solutions. We collaborated online with three UMN undergraduates, dividing tasks 默契地 (tacitly) and holding weekly meetings to report progress and exchange ideas. It was everyone’s wisdom and dedication that led to our success. I hope to maintain a proactive attitude in life and research—every inconvenience in daily life, combined with professional knowledge, could spark innovation!"
"The competition centered on Sino-U.S. relations and green technology. I drew from everyday creativity (regenerative braking ideas from my metro commute) and laboratory research (metal-doped oxygen electrode coatings) to propose solutions. We collaborated online with three UMN undergraduates, dividing tasks 默契地 (tacitly) and holding weekly meetings to report progress and exchange ideas. It was everyone’s wisdom and dedication that led to our success. I hope to maintain a proactive attitude in life and research—every inconvenience in daily life, combined with professional knowledge, could spark innovation!"
Wang Zixuan:
"From February 20 to 28, nine days and nights were split by the Pacific Ocean. Despite the tight schedule and time zone constraints for the final preparation, we persevered with full participation. The five of us spanned two continents, contributing Sino-U.S. youth wisdom to the China Bridge through sharing and communication. Thorough preparation replaced my initial nervousness with confidence with which I faced the final. When the competition ended, the sun shone brightly in Minnesota while stars twinkled in Shanghai’s Minhang campus—celebrating this encounter across time and space."
"From February 20 to 28, nine days and nights were split by the Pacific Ocean. Despite the tight schedule and time zone constraints for the final preparation, we persevered with full participation. The five of us spanned two continents, contributing Sino-U.S. youth wisdom to the China Bridge through sharing and communication. Thorough preparation replaced my initial nervousness with confidence with which I faced the final. When the competition ended, the sun shone brightly in Minnesota while stars twinkled in Shanghai’s Minhang campus—celebrating this encounter across time and space."
Wang Xiwen:
"As a freshman new to SJTU, participating in this event was a novel and unforgettable experience. I was lucky to have extremely responsible teammates. Our team focused on 'promoting collaborative research in battery technology between SJTU and UMN,' dividing tasks to sort out the two universities’ achievements and cooperation potential. A Chinese international student in our team took the lead in cultural exchange, and I evolved from feeling nervous during our first WeChat call to feeling at ease after getting to know each other, and finally striving for our best in the presentation. Seeing my teammates speak confidently on UMN’s stage, I was truly amazed by their excellent public speaking skills!"
"As a freshman new to SJTU, participating in this event was a novel and unforgettable experience. I was lucky to have extremely responsible teammates. Our team focused on 'promoting collaborative research in battery technology between SJTU and UMN,' dividing tasks to sort out the two universities’ achievements and cooperation potential. A Chinese international student in our team took the lead in cultural exchange, and I evolved from feeling nervous during our first WeChat call to feeling at ease after getting to know each other, and finally striving for our best in the presentation. Seeing my teammates speak confidently on UMN’s stage, I was truly amazed by their excellent public speaking skills!"
This November, the SJTU-UMN China Bridge Challenge Program will set sail again! We look forward to more students joining us to collaborate with outstanding peers from SJTU and the University of Minnesota, exploring new models of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary cooperation, and contributing youthful wisdom and innovative strength to addressing global challenges.