SHENZHEN, China, July 17 – The 2025 Rural Innovation Challenge commenced Thursday at Tencent Headquarters, gathering students from seven universities to develop sustainable solutions for rural towns in Guangdong's Qingxin District.

The week-long program, hosted by Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen (HITSZ), partners with district government, industry mentors, and foundations to address local development needs.

Fostering Collaboration Between Campuses and Communities

The challenge connects academic learning with real-world application. Students work directly with local communities to design projects that can have immediate impact.

"This program is about applying talent where it's needed most," said a program organizer. "We're creating a pipeline for innovation to reach rural areas."

Immersive Learning Through Fieldwork

Sixteen interdisciplinary teams will conduct field research in Qingxin District, collaborating with local residents and businesses to co-create development plans. The hands-on approach includes workshops and pilot projects aimed at fostering sustainable growth.

At the launch event, teams met with mentors and alumni to begin strategy development for their projects.