“Reimagine Our Future” Comes Home At Zhejiang University
Recently, FANG Minghao, XU Zihan, ZHANG Yuchen, WANG Zhonghao, CAO Yixin, and YIN Han, the 2022 undergraduates of ZJUI, won the third prize in the 2nd Annual “Reimagine Our Future” Undergraduate Sustainability Competition with their ingenious proposals.
Their project, “A solution to water shortage issues in Shanghai, China due to water quality”, revolves around four sustainable development goals, namely, “Good Health and Well-being,” “Clean Water and Sanitation,” “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” and “Affordable and Clean Energy”. According to the project, the Yangtze River Delta area has a population of more than 55 million and a GDP output of more than US $2 trillion. Yet the largest water source in Shanghai, Dianshan Lake, has been affected by cyanobacteria bloom, which results in the shortage of clean water and threatens regional economic development and public health. Against such background, the team proposed a series of measures to improve the water quality of Dianshan Lake and provide sufficient high-quality water for Shanghai citizens, including the Environment-Enhancing Energy (E2-Energy), the green corridor-reed bed, and Yangtze-Taihu water diversion, and separation of water with rubber dam.
“The process of selecting the topic was very difficult. At first, we planned to study ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’, but soon we fell into stagnation for lacking a specific and practical focus. We considered several projects like water pollution in Zimbabwe, and sanitation facilities in European refugee camps, but gave them up due to inadequate information or impact. Finally, we suddenly discovered that Shanghai, which is so close to us, was a great choice. There was some population with water resource problems, and this project was finally approved by all members,” Fang and his teammates recalled their topic selection process.
Having been awarded such an international prize within their beginning months in the college, Fang’s team shared their gains. “The original intention to take part in this competition is that we think this competition is very meaningful, and we can have the opportunity to engage in the discussion of global issues, expand our international vision, and at the same time improve our personal vision, cooperative ability and global responsibility.”
Beyond surprise, they have more gratitude to express, especially to Prof. ZHANG Yuanhui, founding professor of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). “Although we were completely unfamiliar before, Prof. Zhang responded quickly and enthusiastically to our email. When he called us ‘young engineers’ in the video chatting, I really got his ardent expectations for us new generation,” said Fang.
“We keep in contact with Prof. Zhang after the competition, which is also a great harvest for us. He encouraged us to think about engineering problems from the source, rather than leaving them there; to relate the project to its environment for better solution; to transfer knowledge and seek experience from past practices.” Looking back, Fang found that those precious guidance enlightening his future path in engineers.
Prof. Zhang also thought highly of the team. “The team has given an excellent presentation with novel and open ideas. I am so happy to see them thinking so big at such a young age.” When asked how ZJUI students can play a greater role in global sustainable development, Prof. Zhang shared his expectations. “First, keep working hard and thinking big. International collaboration can expand one’s vision by magnitude, and ZJUI students are on the right track in that direction; second, keep your mind open. The world future lies on the sustainability, and the sustainable world relies on the young generation like you.”
The global responsibility of ZJUIers is not only reflected in their global competence, but also in the actions for sustainable development. “I think ZJUI students have a broad international perspective and a down-to-earth spirit of seeking truth, so we are in unique conditions to contribute to sustainable development,” Fang said. “I think we ZJUI students should actively engage in global issues and competitions, and practice our skills in the wider and more meaningful world.”
Hosted by UIUC, this 8-week international competition calls for innovative and feasible plans or solutions to promote the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It attracts 180 students from University of Illinois, 25 students from the University of Pretoria and 38 students from Zhejiang University. The topics of entries are remarkable for their inter-disciplinary features, covering a wide range from engineering, chemistry, marine and land ecosystems, health sciences, food sciences, education, economics, earth sciences, to art and design.