On 20 November, the final round of NPU’s ninth “Star Cup” English Speech Contest concluded successfully. The event was organised by the Communist Youth League Committee of NPU and co-hosted by the Youth League Committee and Student Union of QMES. The judging panel comprised Cheng Yin, Deputy Secretary of the QMES Party Committee; Liu Chenyi, Deputy Secretary of the Youth League Committee of NPU; Associate Professor Wu Ruilin from the School of Foreign Studies; Colin Crick, a UK faculty member at QMES; and Yang Fenping, Secretary of the Youth League Committee of QMES. The event was presided over by Zhang Haoyu and Li Yi, both undergraduate students from the QMES Class of 2025.

Since its launch in October, the competition has attracted nearly 100 student participants from QMES, the International College, the School of Foreign Studies, the School of Aeronautics, the School of Electronics and Information, the School of Computer Science, and the School of Power and Energy. A total of 16 students advanced to the final after standing out in the preliminary round.

In the final, the contestants delivered speeches on the theme “One World, Our Voice: Youth’s Role in Global Development”. They demonstrated the mission and courage of a new generation who act as pioneers, participants, and future contributors of the era and take on their responsibilities with determination and ambition. Throughout their speeches, the students displayed innovative thinking and offered multidimensional perspectives on the future of global development. They aimed to build bridges for intercultural dialogue with an open and inclusive mindset and translate their aspirations into tangible and achievable actions. Their performances fully showcased their outstanding talent and strong sense of responsibility for the era.

In the end, Han Xinhou from QMES was awarded First Prize. Dong Yue from the School of Foreign Studies and Brandon Joseph Dwayne Lobo from the International College received Second Prize. Third Prize went to Xie Zheyu from QMES, Arshia from the International College, and Sun Meng from the School of Power and Energy. Award of Excellence was presented to Wang Yiru from the School of Aeronautics; Yang Jiashu and Cheng Meixuan from the School of Computer Science; Su Wenbo, Zhuang Qidong, Wang Haochen, and Zhang Lujia from QMES; and Prang thaosuwan, Safia Lagbouri, and Hema Nusra Jahan from the International College.

In the concluding remarks, Colin Crick, a UK faculty member at QMES, highly praised the school for providing students with an open and inclusive platform for English communication and learning. He noted that the “Star Cup” English Speech Contest not only inspires students’ enthusiasm for learning English but also helps them hone their practical language abilities. Moreover, it provides a valuable opportunity and stage for students to broaden their international perspective and understand a diverse world.

In her closing address, Cheng Yin spoke highly of the outstanding performances of contestants from all participating schools and extended her heartfelt congratulations to all award winners. She encouraged students to take this competition as a new starting point, to maintain their enthusiasm for learning English, to continue enhancing their language skills, and to confidently embrace their responsibility of telling China’s story and conveying the voice of the era.

The “Star Cup” English Speech Contest was successfully held. It serves not only as a platform for students to hone and advance their practical language skills but also as a demonstration of their international outlook and global responsibility. Contestants showcased their youthful confidence as NPU students through fluent English, profound insights, and boundless enthusiasm. Looking ahead, QMES will continue to strengthen its extracurricular learning platforms, offer a diverse range of campus cultural activities, and strive to foster an open, inclusive, and positive campus culture.

Text: Han Weichen, Zhang Xinran, and Li Xiuyuan

Photo: Xiao Ruoxi and Liu Yuhan

Editors: Yu Jiawen and Ma Huili

Translator: Fang Jie

Reviewer: Cheng Yin