Nanjing University's project wins the championship. [Photo provided to jsjyt.edu.cn]

The Jiangsu College Student Innovation Competition 2026 concluded at Nanjing University on Sept 20.

The event saw participation from 149 universities across the province, with over 70,000 teams and 270,000 participants, marking a historic high. In the finals, 501 project teams and nearly 2,000 individuals competed. Ultimately, 300 projects won first prizes, 299 received second prizes, and 400 secured third prizes.

Tan Zhemin, president of Nanjing University and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized embracing change with openness and fostering innovation in the AI era. He highlighted the importance of integrating education, technology, and talent development to promote deep integration of technological and industrial innovation.

The champion project from Nanjing University focuses on the strategic frontier of the brain-computer interface. Team member Feng Yingjie said that the team aims to use optical and acoustic technology to "see the brain", trying to be rule-makers in the field of brain-computer interface. The team has collaborated with hospitals to research brain health mechanisms in serious conditions such as thrombosis and stroke.

The competition also hosted an event to facilitate matchmaking of resources, attracting over 200 investors and industry professionals. A joint service entity for technology transfer and commercialization was announced, receiving positive responses from nearly 100 universities and resulting in signed agreements for technology transfer on over 200 projects.

Jiang Yong, director of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, encouraged students to be both laboratory explorers and industry practitioners, while urging universities to nurture and protect the innovation ecosystem.