GTIIT Students Shine at the 21st STU Intercollegiate English Festival

This month, the 21st STU Intercollegiate English Festival, hosted by the English Language Center at Shantou University (STU), brought together talented students from universities across Asia to showcase their skills in speech, debate, and singing. GTIIT was represented by four talented freshmen, who achieved remarkable results:

Mengyu Xin - First Place, Speech Contest

Yihui Liao - Third Place, Singing Contest

Tongrui Hao and Youzhu Zhu - Third Place, Debate Contest

All four participants found the event to be a highly rewarding experience, both academically and personally. Here is what they had to say:

Mengyu Xin: First Place, Speech Contest

"I am Mengyu Xin from the Cohort 2024 MSE Program, and I am more than delighted to have received the First Prize in the STU English Festival Speech Contest: Pathway to Innovation. This award shows not only my own speech talent, but also the brilliant teamwork at GTIIT.

For the prepared speech, I drew inspiration from my grandaunt's scientific career and my own invention, Robot Robin. During the impromptu speech and follow-up questions, I focused on the driving factors of innovation and their societal impacts.

I am deeply grateful to Professor Miki Steiner, my Technical English Communication lecturer, for her generous support and tailored strategies in my speech delivery. Studying and working with professors at GTIIT always inspires me with their bold visions and innovative spirit. This contest has greatly boosted my confidence in leading my own pathway towards innovation in the fields of physics and material science.

We warmly invite more GTers to share their unique stories with GTIIT in the future."

Youzhu Zhu: Debate Contest

"At this Shantou University English Festival, I have made friends from all over the world, reaping true friendships. I explored the beautiful STU campus, filled with its academically rich colleges and English corners brimming with cultural diversity.

I was fortunate to have delightful conversations with senior students from the STU English Language Center and to attend events like the speech and singing contests, which showcased elaborate preparations and stellar on-the-spot performances.

As the Opposite Whip in the English debate competition, I performed exceptionally well and earned the respect of my teammates and opponents. I also learned how to express my views fluently, organize my thoughts effectively, and avoid repetitiveness.

This has been a delightful journey, and I look forward to the next event. May this festival continue to thrive and prosper!"

Yihui Liao: Singing Contest

"The English Singing Competition, themed on innovation, was an eye-opening experience. It was a platform that celebrated the beauty of the English language while emphasizing the importance of breaking boundaries and exploring new possibilities.

I witnessed a diverse range of performances, where contestants incorporated modern dance, digital effects, and creative interpretations into their singing. This made me realize that innovation lies in challenging tradition and embracing new ideas.

Personally, the competition helped me grow. I learned about stage presence, vocal control, and creative expression. Preparing for the contest was a journey of self-discovery that pushed me to think outside the box and present my performance in a way that was both engaging and true to the theme of innovation. It was challenging but extremely rewarding."*

The 21st STU Intercollegiate English Festival provided GTIIT students with an invaluable opportunity to showcase their skills, engage with like-minded peers, and embrace the spirit of innovation. Whether on stage delivering speeches, debating complex ideas, or singing with creativity and passion, each participant left the festival enriched by new experiences and friendships.

The GTIIT community congratulates Mengyu, Yihui, Tongrui, and Youzhu for their achievements and applauds their hard work and dedication. We look forward to seeing even more GTers shine in future events!