Beauty from soil – the 2019 Eco-Innovation Competition Camp

On July 12 - 18, a total of 54 students from Chinese University of Hong Kong, Taiwan Central University, Nanjing University, Beijing Normal University and Zhejiang University took an exciting journey together in the 2019 Eco-Innovation Competition Camp. Supported by the Cross-strait Green University Consortium, the Camp is themed with “Beginning with Soil, Ending with Beauty”. 

Based on academic backgrounds and interests， 15 teams were formed to participate in the soil conservation  competition, one of major activities in this camp. Focusing on the promotion of resilience and sustainability of soil resources, each team pitched their green ideas to other students and experts in a road-show.

A variety of seminars and interactive sharing sessions were prepared for students, such as lectures by professors from College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, ice-breaking session, and round table discussion about living a green life and building a green campus.

During their 7-day stay, campers took the field trip to Hemudu Cultural Site Museumand explored the early agriculture history traced back to 7000 years ago. In Changxing Agricultural Science and Technology Park, they learned about the modern technologies used in the agricultural production today. The tremendous changes of Yu Cun village, a small village in Zhejiang, really impressed all the students, which help them understand the famous quote from XI Jinpin, “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”.

Professor CHEN Baoliang, Dean of College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, delivered remarks at the closing ceremony. He encouraged students to stay creative and apply their green ideas to make real changes. He hoped that in-depth collaboration and friendship between universities could be further promoted and strengthened through the Cross-strait Green University Consortium.

The 2020 Eco-Innovation Competition Camp will be held in Taiwan Central University. The camp flag was passed to the student representatives of Taiwan Central University.

The Cross-Strait Green University Consortium was established by Chinese University of Hong Kong, Taiwan Central University, Nanjing University in 2011, with the aim of consolidating resources and driving initiatives that incorporate green concepts into research and education. Beijing Normal University and Zhejiang University became member universities in 2016. The five universities have been taking turns to organize competition camps each year. The event has not only fostered friendship among students and enhanced their awareness of environmental protection, but also enabled them to have a better understanding of green concepts and sustainable development, encouraging them to apply green initiatives into daily lives.