Again, the Structural Design Team from TU’s School of Civil Engineering and Architecture won the first prize in the recently concluded final of the 17th National Structure Design Contest for College Students, known as the “Gouli Cup.” The Floating Star Tower team, comprising Wang Mengfan, Zheng Wanting, and Ren Kehang, won the national first prize for their outstanding design innovation and strong practical skills. This marks the third consecutive year that TU has claimed the highest honor in this contest, further solidifying its strength and innovation in the field of structural design.

Winning team from TU

The National Structure Design Contest for College Students is one of the most prominent student competitions in China’s construction field. This year, it attracted participants from 595 universities across 31 provinces, with 120 teams competing. Universities such as Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, and Tongji University also participated. The Floating Star Tower team distinguished itself once again, bringing honor to TU.

Contesting site

The remarkable success was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the university’s advisory team, comprising Professor Wang Yanru, Associate Professor Zhang Maoyu, and Instructor Shen Yijun. The team adhered to the philosophy of “rigorous scholarship, innovative practice, and collaborative progress.” Professor Wang, an expert in structural disaster prevention and mitigation, has led several national research projects. Associate Professor Zhang focused on fostering students’ innovative thinking and teamwork, while Shen Yijun leveraged years of experimental guidance to provide critical support in model design and construction techniques. Their close collaboration and dedicated mentorship served as a strong foundation for the Floating Star Tower team’s success.

Winning team members and their advisor

Throughout the preparation process, the team, guided by their advisors, overcame numerous challenges and continually optimized their design. From winning the provincial first prize to securing the national championship, the Floating Star Tower team demonstrated exceptional innovation, teamwork, and practical abilities, embodying the spirit of TU students.

In recent years, the School of Civil Engineering and Architecture has aimed to enhance its students’ practical and innovative skills by exploring an integrated “competition-teaching” model. This approach promotes the philosophy of “learning through competition, teaching through competition, reforming through competition, and innovating through competition,” leveraging subject teams and faculty studios to support student growth. The Floating Star Tower team’s victory highlights the school’s achievements in cultivating innovative talents and strengthens its commitment to fostering talent cultivation.