Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) has started the new academic year with a series of achievements by its students and scholars in international and national competitions and research.
BNBU students Yao Dan and Zhou Siyi won a bronze award at the YOUNG STARS global university student creative competition, part of the MAD STARS, one of the world’s major advertising events.
Yao Dan (second from right) and Zhou Siyi (first from right) on stage receiving the award
Competing against top student teams from 10 countries and regions, their proposal, “RAISE AN OCEAN”, tackled microplastic pollution from household laundry. They designed a washing-machine drain filter shaped like a marine creature. As the filter collects fibres and microplastics over repeated use, the creature gradually “grows”, turning an otherwise invisible environmental problem into something tangible and engaging. The students also used AI to create a video to visualise their concept during the competition.
A research team involving BNBU Prof Zeng Tieyong has published a paper in Nature Communications on the use of deep learning to assess liver fibrosis caused by schistosomiasis.
The study introduced SFibAI, a deep-learning system designed to provide more precise and automated grading of liver fibrosis in ultrasound images. Trained and validated on 167,702 ultrasound images from multiple centres, the system refines the conventional four-level clinical grading system and provides greater quantitative resolution for assessing disease progression and supporting long-term monitoring.
Prof Zeng, a co-corresponding author, contributed to the overall research design and the integration of mathematical methods and AI with clinical needs.
Prof Zeng Tieyong at BNBU
BNBU students also achieved strong results in national competitions this summer.
At the 2026 National College Student Mathematical Modelling Competition, a team comprising Guan Yongxin, Pang Yawen and Zhu Zihan from the Data Science programme won a national third prize, following their first prize at the provincial level. BNBU students also won three provincial first prizes, two second prizes and six third prizes, with award-winning teams representing programmes including Statistics, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Finance, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management.
Zhu Zihan, Pang Yawen, Guan Yongxin (from left)
At the 2026 National English Competition for College Students (NECCS) National Final, from 2 to 7 August, Huang Ziyan from the Faculty of Business and Management won first prize in the English Speech Competition, second prize in the English Debate Competition and third prize in the English Talent Competition. Her mentor, Wang Lu from the Centre for Foreign Languages of the School of General Education, was recognised as an Outstanding Instructor.
Huang Ziyan delivers her speech during the competition
These achievements reflect BNBU students’ strong academic foundations, creativity and ability to apply what they learn to real-world challenges.
From MPRO, IAS, FST, SGE
Editor: Cecilia Yu
