The”Sense Yangcheng”Innovation Competition is officially calling for proposals from all Duke Kunshan University students! Participants may choose either the “Research”or“Innovation and Entrepreneurship” track, select their own topic related to Yangcheng Lake, and develop a proposal through research, analysis, and idea design for the proposal competition.
No Matter Your Major, You Belong Here
Sustainable development isn’t a single-dimensional issue, and it shouldn’t be understood through just one academic language.
●For the Tech-Savvy:Dive into ecological monitoring, environmental data analysis, interactive map construction, or application development.
●For the Humanities Explorers: Uncover unheard local narratives through field interviews, deep-dive ethnographic research, and writing.
●For the Creative Souls:Make an impact through documentary film-making, visual arts, exhibitions, and spatial design.
●For the Action-Takers:Focus on practical solutions in Eco-tourism, local governance, community relations, and environmental action.
We welcome you to step out of the classroom and dive into the field. Start with your curiosity, refine a raw idea into a razor-sharp proposal, and collaborate with diverse minds to make real change happen.
Where Can You Start?(The sky is the limit!)
This is a competition, but there are no standardized exams and no textbook answers. You can step into Yangcheng Lake in countless ways:
Or… invent an approach entirely your own! Different paths, one ultimate goal: making the natural ecology, local culture, and community life of Yangcheng Lake more sustainable for today and tomorrow.
What Will You Gain?
Say goodbye to mere “participation” and hello to “real actions”. We expect real, impactful work.
1.Genuine Growth: From proposing an idea to executing it on the ground, you will build problem-solving skills, research capacities, leadership, and teamwork.
2.Concrete Support:
- Winning Proposals:Competition Certificates +Special Incentives+ Project Kickoff Support.
- Selected Teams:Dedicated Faculty Mentorship+Implementation Budgets+Local Resource Connections.
3.Lasting Impact: Outstanding outcomes can be extended to university innovation training programs, top-tier domestic and international academic and innovation competitions, documentary festivals, and deeper outputs like publications or patents.
How to Join the Competition
This competition operates on an “Open Proposal➔Expert Review➔Supported Implementation” model.
Gather an interdisciplinary team of 2-4 students and submit a comprehensive proposal telling us:
1.What specific problem are you targeting?
2.Why is it worth solving (consider academic significance, application prospects, social needs, policy relevance)?
3.How do you plan to execute your idea?
4.What are your expected final deliverables?
5.If selected, how will you use the budget to make it a reality?
Important Dates
●Proposal Submission Deadline (DDL): May 15,2026
●Review & Results Announcement: May 26,2026
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact with jiayao.zhang@dukekunshan.edu.cn or +86 15018307050
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you want to start from the shores of Yangcheng Lake, ask a question that truly belongs to you, and watch it grow into a tangible project alongside an incredible team… We are waiting for you.
Download the Application Package
Scan the QR code below to get the Proposal Template.
Submit your completed documents to
[jiayao.zhang@dukekunshan.edu.cn] by May 15.
