[GCD4FE 2024] The Finals of the Higher Education Track Successfully Held
date：2024-08-06 15:11author：adminsource：Smart Learning Instituteviews：
From July 26 to 28, 2024 (UTC+8), the Finals of the Higher Education Track in the 7th Global Competition on Design for Future Education were successfully held at the Changping Campus of Beijing Normal University (BNU). This event was co-organized by BNU and the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE), in collaboration with various domestic and international organizations, universities, and notable enterprises. The event gathered teachers, students, and industry professionals from around the world to explore future-oriented educational solutions for a better educational opportunity for mankind. Over three days, the Finals featured 25 teams from more than 30 colleges and universities, with over 110 contestants competing intensely over a demanding 48-hour period through both online and offline formats. Nearly 80 participants, including award-winning teams from Maldives and Central and Eastern Europe (Croatia) of the Regional Selection Contest, as well as teams from India, South Korea and other countries, experienced the competition atmosphere on-site.
Group photo at the opening ceremony
Mr. Zhou Zuoyu expressed in his opening remarks that the Global Competition on Design for Future Education, as an international cultural exchange event at BNU, has become an annual event of the World Digital Education Alliance. The Competition aims to ignite innovation and creativity in education through the synergy of technology and pedagogy, exploring more possibilities for future education. Mr. Zhan Tao observed that the Competition seeks to nurture future collaboration and innovation in education, stimulating new ideas and creative solutions. He stated, “The future is no longer a dream but a reality,” expressing his hope that participants will guide us into this promising future together. Ms. Yu Bo expressed her expectation that participants would fully showcase their intelligence and talents in the competition, using design to revolutionize education. Mr. Liu Yongqiang anticipated that the competition would encourage global universities to reflect on the importance of interdisciplinary studies, industry-education integration, science-education collaboration, and digital empowerment, and actively engage in this era’s transformative wave.
Mr. Zhou Zuoyu delivering an opening remark
Mr. Zhan Tao delivering an opening remark
Ms. Yu Bo delivering an opening remark
Mr. Liu Yongqiang delivering an opening remark
On the afternoon of July 28, the closing ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished guests including Mr. Abdulla Phairoosch, State Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development of Maldives; Mr. Liu Dejian, Co-Dean of SLIBNU and Chairman of NetDragon; Mr. Song Weizu, Founder of Beijing Design Society and Co-Chairman of the Competition Judge Committee; Prof. Hu Xiangen, Director of Institute for Higher Education Research and Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Mr. Zhen Wei, Vice Dean of the School of Arts and Communication at BNU; Mr. Shi Jianguo, Executive Deputy Director of China Educational Equipment Research Institute and Chief Expert of the competition; and Mr. Wu Yujun, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation of BNU.
Group photo at the closing ceremony
Mr. Liu Dejian mentioned that this year’s competition introduced AIGC tools, encouraging participants to delve into educational neuroscience to seek effective solutions for key issues in future education. Mr. Abdulla Phairoosch asserted that the government of the Maldives is committed to cultivating a creative economy and promoting national progress through innovation and creativity, with strategic plans and initiatives in place. He hoped that everyone would work together to build a sustainable and dynamic future for education. Mr. Wu Yujun encouraged global educators and learners to think and practice collectively to forge a more open, innovative, and sustainable educational future.
Mr. Liu Dejian delivering a closing remark
Mr. Abdulla Phairoosch delivering a closing remark
Mr. Wu Yujun delivering a closing remark
Prof. Huang Ronghuai conveying a message for the competition
Posters of the seven competition topics
Prof. Asha Singh Kanwar interpreted the competition topics
The Finals featured 15 mentors from various fields, including Ms. Li Yan, Associate Professor from the School of Arts and Communication at BNU; Mr. Xu Pengfei, Associate Professor from the School of Artificial Intelligence at BNU; Mr. Li Junyi, Special Researcher from the China Education 30 Forum; Mr. Ma Dongming, Lecturer from the Department of Art and Design at Beijing University of Chemical Technology; Mr. Kaushal Kumar Bhagat, Assistant Professor from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur; Mr. Wen Quan, Guest Teacher of Innovative Thinking courses at Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology; Mr. Zhang Ran, Technical Director of SketchUp at Trimble Inc.; Mr. Li Ruobing, Partner at Hifly; Mr. Liu Shuhao, Senior Creative Designer at Alibaba Cloud Design; Mr. Zhang Yi, Director of Educational Neuroscience in the Classroom Program at Department of Education, East China Normal University; Mr. Zhou Wei, Assistant Researcher from BNU; Dr. Saeed Dahdahjani from the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University; Dr. Bai Yuening from the State Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and Communication at Communication University of China; and Postdoc Fei Cheng and Da Ting from BNU.
Mentors receiving appointment letters
Under the guidance of the mentors, the finalists targeted core problems, set project topics, and completed new project designs based on the competition topics within 48 hours. A total of 18 teams stood out with their creative solutions and presentations, advancing to the final roadshow. During this stage, within the allotted time, each team showcased their educational project design proposals to the panel of experts through well-crafted presentations, including PPTs, video presentations, scenario performances, etc.
Discussion and presentation
Mr. Song Weizu, Founder of Beijing Design Society and Co-Chairman of the Competition Judge Committee; Prof. Asha Singh Kanwar, Vice Dean of SLIBNU; Ms. Tatiana Shutova, Program Specialist from UNESCO IITE; Prof. Hu Xiangen from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Mr. Zhen Wei, Vice Dean of the School of Arts and Communication at BNU, offered detailed reviews and evaluations for each team’s project. The panel of expert judges rated the projects in terms of problem awareness, innovation spirit, science and education integration, application prospect, and presentation and expression. Ultimately, they awarded the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards for the Higher Education Track, as well as the Excellent Design Award, Excellent Creativity Award, Excellent Technology Innovation Award and Excellent Practice Award.
Mr. Song Weizu giving feedback
Prof. Asha Singh Kanwar giving feedback
Ms. Tatiana Shutova giving feedback
Prof. Hu Xiangen giving feedback
Prof. Zhen Wei giving feedback
Lecture by Prof. Hu Xiangen
Lecture by Mr. Wang Luping
Lecture by Ms. Wang Huanhuan
Lecture by Mr. Li Ruobing
Lecture by Mr. Liu Shuhao
The competition organizing committee also invited tech enterprises to deploy AIGC interactive experience spaces and related AIGC products for the participants, providing substantial support for efficiently completing their creative solutions.
Personal image design based on AIGC
Leap Motion hand interaction
VR interaction
Digital avatar
Amid the intense competition, participants also engaged in fun activities such as AI Debates, VR Games, Who’s the Spy, Pictionary, Pitch Pot, Just Dance, and Summer Handmade, experiencing cultural exchanges and creating colorful competition memories.
Fun activities
Inspiring Messages from Leaders
On the afternoon of July 26, several distinguished guests attended the opening ceremony of the event, including Mr. Zhou Zuoyu, Vice President of BNU and Co-Chairman of the Competition Organizing Committee; Mr. Zhan Tao, Director of UNESCO IITE and Co-Chairman of the Competition Organizing Committee; Mr. Liu Yongqiang, Director of Institute for Curriculum, Textbook and Laboratory, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, China; Ms. Yu Bo, Secretary-General of Beijing Design Society. Representatives from Beijing Normal University included Ms. Liu Li, Vice Secretary of the Party Committee of the Faculty of Education of BNU; Mr. Li Zhongshan, Vice Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation of BNU; Prof. Huang Ronghuai, Co-Dean of Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University and Vice Chairman of the Competition Organizing Committee; Prof. Asha Singh Kanwar, Chair of the Governing Board of UNESCO IITE and Vice Dean of SLIBNU; Prof. Chen Guangju, Vice Dean of SLIBNU and Chairman of the Competition Steering Committee. Additionally, Mr. Zhou Weidong, the General Managing Director of Rotime Technology and Engineering Company was present.
Group photo at the opening ceremony
Mr. Zhou Zuoyu expressed in his opening remarks that the Global Competition on Design for Future Education, as an international cultural exchange event at BNU, has become an annual event of the World Digital Education Alliance. The Competition aims to ignite innovation and creativity in education through the synergy of technology and pedagogy, exploring more possibilities for future education. Mr. Zhan Tao observed that the Competition seeks to nurture future collaboration and innovation in education, stimulating new ideas and creative solutions. He stated, “The future is no longer a dream but a reality,” expressing his hope that participants will guide us into this promising future together. Ms. Yu Bo expressed her expectation that participants would fully showcase their intelligence and talents in the competition, using design to revolutionize education. Mr. Liu Yongqiang anticipated that the competition would encourage global universities to reflect on the importance of interdisciplinary studies, industry-education integration, science-education collaboration, and digital empowerment, and actively engage in this era’s transformative wave.
Mr. Zhou Zuoyu delivering an opening remark
Mr. Zhan Tao delivering an opening remark
Ms. Yu Bo delivering an opening remark
Mr. Liu Yongqiang delivering an opening remark
On the afternoon of July 28, the closing ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished guests including Mr. Abdulla Phairoosch, State Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development of Maldives; Mr. Liu Dejian, Co-Dean of SLIBNU and Chairman of NetDragon; Mr. Song Weizu, Founder of Beijing Design Society and Co-Chairman of the Competition Judge Committee; Prof. Hu Xiangen, Director of Institute for Higher Education Research and Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Mr. Zhen Wei, Vice Dean of the School of Arts and Communication at BNU; Mr. Shi Jianguo, Executive Deputy Director of China Educational Equipment Research Institute and Chief Expert of the competition; and Mr. Wu Yujun, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation of BNU.
Group photo at the closing ceremony
Mr. Liu Dejian mentioned that this year’s competition introduced AIGC tools, encouraging participants to delve into educational neuroscience to seek effective solutions for key issues in future education. Mr. Abdulla Phairoosch asserted that the government of the Maldives is committed to cultivating a creative economy and promoting national progress through innovation and creativity, with strategic plans and initiatives in place. He hoped that everyone would work together to build a sustainable and dynamic future for education. Mr. Wu Yujun encouraged global educators and learners to think and practice collectively to forge a more open, innovative, and sustainable educational future.
Mr. Liu Dejian delivering a closing remark
Mr. Abdulla Phairoosch delivering a closing remark
Mr. Wu Yujun delivering a closing remark
Prof. Huang Ronghuai, in his address, emphasized that he and Mr. Liu Dejian have been committed to seeking innovative solutions in educational design over the past eight years. He reviewed the development and changes of the “Design and Learning” courses over the years and expressed hope that the Global Competition on Design for Future Education would drive the integration of new technologies into educational reforms in more rational and innovative ways, thus cultivating talents equipped to meet future challenges.
Prof. Huang Ronghuai conveying a message for the competition
Creative Solutions Aplenty
During the Finals, the competition topics were framed around the UNESCO initiative “Reimagining our futures together: a new social contract for education,” including seven themes: Inclusive Learning Space Design, Learning Environment Design Without Time and Space Limitations, Educational Resource Design for Coexistence with the Earth, Teaching Model Design with Multi-stakeholder Participation, Marginalized Cultural Heritage Design Empowered by Digital Technology, Quality Educational Resource Design for Rural Areas, and Intercultural Communication and Understanding Activity Design.
Posters of the seven competition topics
Prof. Asha Singh Kanwar interpreted the competition topics
The Finals featured 15 mentors from various fields, including Ms. Li Yan, Associate Professor from the School of Arts and Communication at BNU; Mr. Xu Pengfei, Associate Professor from the School of Artificial Intelligence at BNU; Mr. Li Junyi, Special Researcher from the China Education 30 Forum; Mr. Ma Dongming, Lecturer from the Department of Art and Design at Beijing University of Chemical Technology; Mr. Kaushal Kumar Bhagat, Assistant Professor from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur; Mr. Wen Quan, Guest Teacher of Innovative Thinking courses at Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology; Mr. Zhang Ran, Technical Director of SketchUp at Trimble Inc.; Mr. Li Ruobing, Partner at Hifly; Mr. Liu Shuhao, Senior Creative Designer at Alibaba Cloud Design; Mr. Zhang Yi, Director of Educational Neuroscience in the Classroom Program at Department of Education, East China Normal University; Mr. Zhou Wei, Assistant Researcher from BNU; Dr. Saeed Dahdahjani from the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University; Dr. Bai Yuening from the State Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and Communication at Communication University of China; and Postdoc Fei Cheng and Da Ting from BNU.
Mentors receiving appointment letters
Under the guidance of the mentors, the finalists targeted core problems, set project topics, and completed new project designs based on the competition topics within 48 hours. A total of 18 teams stood out with their creative solutions and presentations, advancing to the final roadshow. During this stage, within the allotted time, each team showcased their educational project design proposals to the panel of experts through well-crafted presentations, including PPTs, video presentations, scenario performances, etc.
Discussion and presentation
Mr. Song Weizu, Founder of Beijing Design Society and Co-Chairman of the Competition Judge Committee; Prof. Asha Singh Kanwar, Vice Dean of SLIBNU; Ms. Tatiana Shutova, Program Specialist from UNESCO IITE; Prof. Hu Xiangen from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Mr. Zhen Wei, Vice Dean of the School of Arts and Communication at BNU, offered detailed reviews and evaluations for each team’s project. The panel of expert judges rated the projects in terms of problem awareness, innovation spirit, science and education integration, application prospect, and presentation and expression. Ultimately, they awarded the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards for the Higher Education Track, as well as the Excellent Design Award, Excellent Creativity Award, Excellent Technology Innovation Award and Excellent Practice Award.
Mr. Song Weizu giving feedback
Prof. Asha Singh Kanwar giving feedback
Ms. Tatiana Shutova giving feedback
Prof. Hu Xiangen giving feedback
Prof. Zhen Wei giving feedback
Vigorous AIGC Competition Arena
The Competition encouraged participants to leverage AIGC to address educational challenges, thereby enhancing human-machine collaboration capabilities for the future. During the Finals, several AIGC training sessions and lectures were held, featuring Prof. Hu Xiangen from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Director Wang Luping from Alibaba Cloud Design, Assistant Research Professor Wang Huanhuan from BNU, Company Partner Li Ruobing from Hifly, and Senior Creative Designer Liu Shuhao from Alibaba Cloud Design. These sessions received a warm response from participants.
Lecture by Prof. Hu Xiangen
Lecture by Mr. Wang Luping
Lecture by Ms. Wang Huanhuan
Lecture by Mr. Li Ruobing
Lecture by Mr. Liu Shuhao
The competition organizing committee also invited tech enterprises to deploy AIGC interactive experience spaces and related AIGC products for the participants, providing substantial support for efficiently completing their creative solutions.
Personal image design based on AIGC
Leap Motion hand interaction
VR interaction
Digital avatar
Amid the intense competition, participants also engaged in fun activities such as AI Debates, VR Games, Who’s the Spy, Pictionary, Pitch Pot, Just Dance, and Summer Handmade, experiencing cultural exchanges and creating colorful competition memories.
Fun activities
Exciting Award Ceremony
At the award ceremony, Mr. Song Weizu announced the winning results of the Higher Education Track. The Higher Education Track awarded one Gold Award, two Silver Awards, three Bronze Awards, three Excellent Design Awards, three Excellent Creativity Awards, three Excellent Technology Innovation Awards, three Excellent Practice Awards, and seven Finalist Awards. Prof. Huang Ronghuai, Mr. Song Weizu, Prof. Asha Singh Kanwar, Director Wu Yujun, Prof. Hu Xiangen, and Prof. Zhen Wei presented the awards to the winning teams.
The team receiving the Gold Award
Teams receiving the Silver Award
Teams receiving the Bronze Award
Teams receiving the Excellent Design Award
Teams receiving the Excellent Creativity Award
Teams receiving the Excellent Technology Innovation Award
Teams receiving the Excellent Practice Award
The team receiving the Gold Award
Teams receiving the Silver Award
Teams receiving the Bronze Award
Teams receiving the Excellent Design Award
Teams receiving the Excellent Creativity Award
Teams receiving the Excellent Technology Innovation Award
Teams receiving the Excellent Practice Award
Continued Journey of Educational Innovation
This year’s event was specially supported by Beijing Design Society and the Beijing Design Week Organizing Committee. The event is hosted by Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University and the National Engineering Research Center of Cyberlearning and Intelligent Technology. The competition is graced with partners like the Department of Educational Psychology at East China Normal University, Zagreb University of Applied Sciences in Croatia, Maldives Polytechnic, and Fuzhou Software Technology Vocational College, etc., supported by sponsors including NetDragon, Rotime Engineering and Technology, Alibaba Cloud, and Hifly.
The Finals have concluded, while the journey of educational innovation is endless. The power of education lies in continuous exploration and breakthroughs. Looking forward to meeting more educational innovators in next year’s competition, jointly embarking on a new journey of educational innovation, and embracing the limitless possibilities of future education
This page by Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.