Recently, the 2024 Sasakawa Cup National Japanese Knowledge Contest, co-organized by the Japan Science Association and Zhejiang University, was successfully held. In a technologically advanced setting featuring an AI host and drone photography, 398 teachers and students from 100 universities across China engaged in intense and exciting competition. A team from the School of Foreign Languages at our university, consisting of students Zhang Yuhan, Li Jia, and Li Yaning, and led by instructor Zhang Baohong, demonstrated solid expertise and fierce determination. They achieved an outstanding result, ranking fourth overall and earning the second prize in the team competition. This marks a significant improvement since our university’s fifth-place finish in the same competition in 2016. Additionally, Zhang Yuhan received the Individual Excellence Award, and instructor Zhang Baohong was honored with the Outstanding Instructor Award for Team Competition.
The Sasakawa Cup National Japanese Knowledge Contestincludes both team and individual competitions, focusing on participants' knowledge of Japan’s language, literature, history, culture, geography, economy, society, and daily life. The contest aims to deepen Japanese language students' understanding of Japan, promote cultural exchange between China and Japan, and cultivate talents who can contribute to the friendly development of Sino-Japanese relations. First held in 2004, the contest is hosted by a different key university each year, with this year marking its 20th anniversary.
On the morning of October 26, the three participants took a unified written test. Zhang Yuhan also competed in the individual selection round, while all three students participated in the team selection round in the afternoon. During the team selection round, they answered five out of six individual compulsory questions correctly, two out of four team compulsory questions correctly, and successfully answered all three of the five quick response questions they managed to respond to first. Their exceptional performance earned them first place in their group and second place overall, advancing them to the finals.
In the finals, our team competed against strong opponents and ultimately achieved fourth place nationally, ranking just below Beijing Foreign Studies University (Special Prize), Tianjin Foreign Studies University, and Central China Normal University (First Prize). Our university shared the honor with Zhejiang University, Wenzhou University, Jiangnan University, National University of Defense Technology, Hebei Normal University, Nanjing University, and Jinan University.
The School of Foreign Languages has always placed great emphasis on supporting this competition, with Instructor Zhang Baohong fully responsible for its organization and guidance over the years. Our university first participated in 2016, achieving fifth place nationally and the second prize in the team competition. We also earned individual third prizes in 2017, 2019, and 2023. This year, we made a new breakthrough by ranking fourth overall and becoming the top team among the second prize winners. Our university was the only private institution to stand on the podium, following Beijing Foreign Studies University (Special Prize), Tianjin Foreign Studies University, and Central China Normal University (First Prize). The exciting news brought immense joy to the four participants at the venue, teachers and students watching the live stream in WeChat groups, colleagues following updates inWechat Moment, and graduates of the Japanese language program. Social media posts shared by Japanese language faculty were widely praised with numerous likes.
The three participating students expressed great pride in their achievement. Notably, their performance attracted media attention, with Li Jia and Zhang Yuhan invited for a seven-minute interview.
In preparation for the competition, the team dedicated months of hard work. After winning the university’s preliminary selection round last semester, they overcame various challenges under Instructor Zhang Baohong’s guidance and Team Leader Li Yaning’s coordination. They studied diligently, often reviewing materials until they were worn out, and even conducted a two-hour group study session in their hotel room the night before the finals. Their efforts paid off, as they ultimately stood on the podium. All three students acknowledged that the preparation significantly enhanced theirprofessional knowledge reserve, while the competition helped them recognize their weaknesses, build confidence, broaden their horizons, and expand their networks.
The Japanese language program will organize a special sharing session featuring the four participants. It is believed that this outstanding achievement will inspire more students to pursue learning and participate in competitions, boost the confidence of both teachers and students, and positively impact the teaching and development of the Japanese language program at our university.
Original News Link:https://www.shengda.edu.cn/info/1023/59141.htm
