BELGRADE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Young innovators from China and several European countries gathered in Belgrade on Friday for the Serbian regional competition of the China International College Students' Innovation Competition, showcasing projects aimed at addressing real-world challenges through science and technology.
Seven teams from universities and research institutions in Serbia, China, Britain and Germany took part in the event, presenting innovations in healthcare, energy efficiency, sustainable aviation and autonomous systems.
The competition was hosted by the Belt and Road Institute in Belgrade and co-organized with Zhejiang University.
The two Gold Awards went to a wearable health-monitoring sensor developed by a team associated with the University of Nis and Zhejiang University, and a wastewater-based cooling system proposed by researchers from the University of Novi Sad.
The wearable sensor can monitor heart activity and sweat glucose levels at a production cost of about one Chinese yuan, while the wastewater-based cooling system could reduce energy consumption by up to 50 percent, according to the teams.
Two Silver Awards recognized projects involving satellite navigation and unmanned delivery systems, while three Bronze Awards went to innovations in sustainable aviation fuel, autonomous drone navigation and natural cosmetics e-commerce.
Opening the event, Han Dianxiu, education counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Serbia, highlighted the role of the Belt and Road Initiative in promoting scientific and educational cooperation between China and Serbia, and encouraged young innovators to contribute to cultural exchanges.
"The Belt and Road Initiative has built a broad platform for cooperation in science and education between the two countries, encouraging young people to explore new frontiers, innovate boldly and jointly address common global challenges in energy, the environment and smart technologies," she said.
In a closing review, Miodrag Dukic, head of the Chair of Computer Engineering at the University of Novi Sad and leading researcher at the China-Serbia Aerospace Technology Joint Innovation Center, commended the participants' technical work and innovative approaches.
"This competition is indeed a bridge connecting young innovators across the world and bringing them together. I am confident that the seeds planted today will grow in the future, and that the connections we have made and the ideas we have shared will continue to flourish," he said.
Now in its second year of expanded international operations, the competition has overseas regional divisions in Serbia, Singapore and Japan. According to the organizers, top-performing teams from the Belgrade finals have the opportunity to advance to the global finals in China. ■