The closing ceremony and summary meeting for the national competition of the second National Teaching Innovation Contest was held at the Xingqing Campus of Xi'an Jiaotong University in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, on July 31.

Xi'an Jiaotong University plays host to the close of a national competition for innovation by university teachers. [Photo provided to en.xa.gov.cn]

Held under the auspices of the Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education, the contest was hosted by the China Association of Higher Education and organized by Xi'an Jiaotong University.

The competition had as its theme "promoting teaching innovation and cultivating first-class talent".

It aimed to assist in the development of new engineering, new agriculture, new medicine and the new liberal arts – and to promote the integrated and innovative development of information technology, and education and teaching.

"It is hoped that teachers can focus on the key issues of education and teaching, conduct regular research, optimize methods and measures, become increasingly outstanding on the podium and live up to the responsibility and mission of the great job of being a teacher," said Wang Shuguo, deputy Party secretary and president of Xi'an Jiaotong University.

Wang Shuguo, deputy Party secretary and president of Xi'an Jiaotong University, delivers a keynote speech. [Photo provided to en.xa.gov.cn]

The contest was officially launched on Oct 29, 2021. A total of 1,462 teachers from 267 colleges and universities participated and 205 courses were shortlisted for on-site evaluation.

After two days of extensive assessments by 42 experts, 63 courses were awarded first prizes, 142 courses were awarded second prizes and 201 courses were awarded third prizes.

Colleges and universities in Shaanxi won eight first prizes, five won second prizes and three took home third prizes, ranking the province first in the country.

The award ceremony for the national competition of the second National Teaching Innovation Contest. [Photo provided to en.xa.gov.cn]