Beijing, August 16, 2025 — The finals of the 2025 Tsinghua International Case Analysis Competition of Public Policy on Sustainable Development Goals took place at the School of Public Policy and Management (SPPM), Tsinghua University, with teams joining both onsite and online. The competition was co-hosted by the China Case Center for Public Policy and Management (CCCPPM) at Tsinghua SPPM, and the Institute for Sustainable Development Goals of Tsinghua University (TUSDG), with support from JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd. and Pernod Ricard China.

Participants competing in the finals

Launched in April, this year’s competition brought together 288 students of 90 teams from 75 universities across China, the United States, Australia, Vietnam, Canada, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. After four months of dedicated preparation and two rounds of professional evaluation, 12 finalist teams presented case studies on issues ranging from digital finance to climate justice, public health, gender equality, and the circular economy.

The First Prize was awarded to SHEmpowerment from Nankai University. The Second Prize went to Betelgeuse from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Chaski Verde from New York University. The Third Prize was presented to ZeroX from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, All 2gether from Wuhan University, and HMSDGs from Tsinghua University. In addition, eight participants received the Best Individual Performance Awards, while the remaining finalist teams were recognized with Honorable Mention Awards.

Group photo of award presenters together with the winning teams and participants

Professor Zhu Xufeng, Dean of SPPM and Executive Director of TUSDG, congratulated the finalists and stressed that the competition has grown into a global platform since 2018, showing how deeply young people care about challenges like climate change, poverty, and inequality. He emphasized SPPM’s mission of “Service to the Country through Talent Cultivation” and called on youth to “build a sustainable future together” on the UN’s 80th anniversary.

Kathie Wang, Vice President of Communications, Sustainability & Responsibility of Pernod Ricard China, emphasized diversified perspectives in this year’s entries—from workplace injury protection to urban solid waste management, and youth participation in sustainability issues—adding that such insights inspire business sustainability strategies.

Yang Aiqing, Executive President of JA Solar, noted that this is the company’s third year as a core partner of the competition, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable development. He stressed that achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires close collaboration across industry, academia, and research, together with the continued efforts of young leaders.

Zhu Xufeng, Kathie Wang, and Yang Aiqing delivering remarks (from left to right)

The judging panel consisted of Associate Professor Zhu Junming, Associate Dean of the SPPM and Deputy Director of the TUSDG; Associate Professor Wei Wenchi of the SPPM; and Ms. Kathie Wang from Pernod Ricard China. Following teams’ presentations, the judges provided detailed feedback, commending students’ innovative approaches and interdisciplinary methods in addressing complex policy challenges.

Kathie Wang, Zhu Junming, and Wei Wenchi serving as judges (from left to right)

Launched in 2018, the Tsinghua International Case Analysis Competition of Public Policy on SDGs is open to undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students worldwide. It aims to harness the power of case-based learning to inspire students from diverse countries, institutions, and academic backgrounds to engage with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Through in-depth case studies, participants have examined pressing challenges, innovative practices, policy solutions, and sustainable development experiences from both China and around the globe. By 2025, the competition has attracted 1,428 participants from 241 universities across 19 countries.

Group photo of guests and contestants

Winners