The closing ceremony of the Zhejiang Division of the 11th National Undergraduate Life Sciences Competition (Scientific Inquiry Category) and the 18th Zhejiang Provincial Competition was held at the grand auditorium at the Jiaojiang campus. The event was hosted by the Zhejiang Provincial University Student Science and Technology Competition Committee and co-organized by Taizhou University (TU) and Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (ZCMU). Key academic dignitaries and experts attended the closing ceremony and were seated on the rostrum, including Professor Huang Jianbo, Director of the Zhejiang Provincial Life Sciences Competition Committee (ZPLSCC) and Vice President of ZCMU; Professor Li Jianjun, Vice President of Taizhou University; Professor Min Hang of Zhejiang University, Director of the Provincial Life Sciences Competition Executive Committee; and Professor Dou Xiaobing of ZCMU and Professor Zhou Naiming of Zhejiang University, both Vice Directors of the ZPLSCC. The ceremony, chaired by Zhao Kai, Dean of the School of Life Sciences of TU, marked the culmination of months of rigorous online evaluations and competitive on-site presentations. The competition fully demonstrated the innovation, research capabilities, and team spirit of Zhejiang college students.

In his closing address, Professor Li Jianjun extended his congratulations to the winning teams and thanked the leaders, judges and staff for their dedication. He stressed that TU continues to view academic competitions as a cornerstone of student development, and strives to provide high-level practical platforms to hone research capabilities and technical competence.

Professor Huang Jianbo praised the event’s organisation on behalf of the ZPLSCC. He noted that after years’ development, the annual tournament has evolved into a benchmark for assessing teaching quality and innovation in life sciences across Zhejiang’s higher education institutions. With record participant turnout and higher-calibre projects this year, the competition reflects the province’s progress in scientific talent cultivation. He stated that the ZPLSCC will continue to refine the competition framework so as to create a broader platform for college students across the province to engage in academic exchange and showcase their achievements.

Closing ceremony

The competition drew 1,924 entries from 51 universities across disciplines including biological sciences, biotechnology, clinical medicine, food quality and safety, pharmacy, and bioengineering. Following remote evaluations by independent experts outside the province, 214 finalists advanced to the live rounds. Top honors were ultimately awarded to 117 teams in the standard category, three in the English-language track, seven in the vocational category, and one in the field research category, alongside 11 organization awards. TU delivered a standout performance, securing 10 first prizes and an Outstanding Organization Award.

Presentation of Outstanding Organization Awards

The competition serves as a critical sounding board for higher education in life sciences throughout the province. The successful finals not only offered students a prestigious platform to present their research, but also reinforced teaching through competitive practice, injecting fresh momentum into ongoing curriculum reforms.

TU delegation group photograph