On May 14th, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, the Third HUST International Student Dragon Boat Friendship Race was held on Yujia Lake. Nearly 100 foreign and Chinese students from 19 colleges and 37 countries participated in the competition.

President of HUST You Zheng, Vice President Ma Jianhui, Chen Jianguo, Liang Qian witnessed the excellent performance.

Six teams were formed with the special team names selected from the Chinese zodiac signs: goat, dragon, bull, tiger, horse, and rabbit.

After three rounds of highly competitive races, Team Goat formed by the Tongji Medical College won the gold medal; Team Dragon formed by the School of Basic Medicine won the silver medal; Team Tiger formed by the Center for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language and School of Physics, and Team Bull formed by the School of Management, School of Cyber Science and Engineering, School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, College of Public Administration, and School of Foreign languages won the bronze medals; Team Rabbit formed by the School of Humanities, College of Life Science & Technology, and School of Economics and Team Horse formed by the School of Mechanical Science & Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Communications, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering won the honourable mention awards.

HUST International Student Dragon Boat Friendship Race was organized by the School of International Education and School of Physical Education since October, 2020.

Competition is another form of communication and a tool to spread culture. Through the dragon boat activities, more people can be inspired by the spirit of dragon boat, deepen the understanding of Chinese culture, enhance cooperation and make contribution to human community with a shared future.

Gambian student MUSA KORA from team Dragon, formed by the School of Basic Medicine, said ‘This competition has brought so much joy to me since it gave me the opportunity to understand the history of the dragon boat festival, reunite with old friends from the main campus and to interact with both Chinese and international students. In this competition I learned that unity is strength.’

Mr. Zhang Yao, Director of the President’ s office, Mr. Wang Zuohong, Director of Security Office,  Mr. Gao Shunwen, Director of the Student Affairs, Professor Xu Jianfeng, Vice-dean of the school of Mechanical Science & Engineering, Professor He Guangyuan from the College of Life Science & Technology, Professor Jing Ling, Party Secretary of School of Physical Education, Professor Ma Rong, Party Secretary of the School of International Education, Professor Zhou Liping, Dean of the School of International Education, and other guests attended the event.

Before the competition, Chinese Language teacher Ms. He li, instructed students in preparing handmade cookies for all the athletes.

(Photo by Sun Yifan & Zhang Nan)