The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Confucius Institute has marked a year of outstanding international achievement, clinching third-place finishes in two prestigious global innovation competitions, underscoring its commitment to fostering cross-cultural collaboration and practical innovation.
July 2025 the Institute’s team triumphed at the African Regional Final of the China International College Students’ Innovation Competition (2025) in Nairobi, Kenya. This pioneering event, co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Education, saw extensive participation from 115 universities across Africa, with 185 innovative projects and 559 student entrants. After rigorous evaluations, 30 teams from 21 universities in 9 African countries advanced to the finals.
The DUT Confucius Institute team secured its third-place victory with the project “Rainbow Smart Agriculture: Promoting and Developing Juncao Technology in South Africa.” The project integrates the innovative Chinese-developed Juncao Technology, which uses specially selected grasses for mushroom cultivation, livestock feed, and ecological restoration with smart agricultural systems tailored to South Africa’s diverse environments using digital technology.
Reflecting on the experience, student representative Miss Nolwandle Duma said, “It was an eye-opening experience which made me aware of the amount of work and planning that goes into a business proposal and starting a business venture.”
Building on this continental success, the Institute then excelled at the 11th National University Medical Innovation Contest & 2025 “Belt and Road” International Finals at Shandong University in China in August. This landmark event in medical education, sponsored by leading institutions including Shandong University and Zhejiang University, reached a record scale this year. The international finals featured over 820 entries from 201 universities across 10 countries.
For this competition, the DUT Confucius Institute launched a new collaboration with Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (FJTCM). Their joint project, “Bridging Traditions Through Cross-Cultural Collaborations,” competed in the Academic Discipline: TCM Culture and Global Dissemination. The project’s focus on cross-cultural studies of TCM values aligns directly with the Institute’s core mission of innovating through practical exchange.
The team, comprising students Bongeka Thobeka Msomi (DUT Nursing), Yang Zhehan (FJTCM), and Zeng Zihanyan (FJTCM), worked tirelessly for over six months under the guidance of DUT Confucius Institute Director Lin Wu, Dr. Star Chen, and FJTCM’s Gao Hongjian, with support from DUT staff. Their brilliant performance culminated in another proud third-place victory.
Director Lin Wu emphasised the Institute’s broader mission, stating, “As a Confucius Institute, we are committed to supporting the youth and encouraging them to explore new opportunities to further themselves. These victories perfectly reflect the spirit of DUT’s ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework. Our focus on impactful youth development is a direct application of this framework, and our work is strategically aligned with the DUT plan. By focusing on this mission, we aim to create more platforms for young people to gain practical experience, develop their skills, and turn their dreams into reality.”
These back-to-back achievements in sustainable agriculture and medical innovation mark significant milestones for the DUT Confucius Institute. They highlight its successful role in promoting sustainable development, strengthening China-South Africa relations, empowering communities through innovation, and building collaborative platforms for youth exchange.
Pictured: Director Wu Lin Frank and Miss Nolwandle Duma, in Kenya.
Star Chen
