Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) celebrated its 15th Youth Festival and 2026 Student Awards Ceremony on April 28 in anticipation of the upcoming May Fourth Youth Day.

The event attracted over 1,000 participants, including BIT leaders, alumni, department and school representatives, and honorees.

Zhang Jun, secretary of the CPC BIT Committee, warmly greeted BIT youth, applauded outstanding groups and individuals, and honored dedicated young teachers. He encouraged students to broaden their perspectives, aspire high, cultivate strong values, develop professional skills, innovate, enhance problem-solving abilities and collaborate effectively.

Wu Dajing, an Olympic medalist and professor at Jilin University's Physical Education College, shared his journey from novice to Olympic champion, inspiring BIT students to dream big, work hard, and pursue their goals with determination.

Li Mingjia, associate dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering and a recipient of the 2026 New Era Youth Pioneer Award, recounted her team's innovative development of self-driven active-passive coupling thermal protection technology. This breakthrough contributed to creating high-strength, lightweight, and ablation-resistant "armor" for major national equipment.

Yang Zhen, a leading entrepreneur from Jinan, and BIT alumnus, recounted his journey from a BIT student to an aerospace engineer and entrepreneur in unmanned delivery. He encouraged students to stay grounded, strengthen their expertise, remain curios, and explore boldly, building resilience through growth.

During the event, university leaders presented awards to outstanding teachers and student representatives.

The event not only celebrated the achievements of BIT's outstanding individuals and groups but also reinforced the university's dedication to nurturing future talents who are equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.