From July 25th to 30th, the final of the 14th National College Student Metallographic Skills Competition was held at the Yibin Campus of Chengdu Industrial College. The participating team from Ocean University of China, led by three instructors—Man Cheng, Pang Kun, and Wang Xiangyu from the School of Materials Science and Engineering—achieved outstanding results. Among them, Cui Jiyao won an individual first prize, Wang Guansen and Li Zheng won individual second prizes, and Wang Shuaihao and Jian Haoyue won individual third prizes. The team collectively secured a third prize in the group category, marking a breakthrough in the competition.
Group photo of the participating teachers and students from the university
The National College Student Metallographic Skills Competition is one of the 84 competitions listed in the National College Student Discipline Competition Ranking. It is the highest-level, most well-organized, largest, and most influential national discipline competition for students majoring in materials science. Metallographic skills are a fundamental technique that students in materials-related majors must master proficiently, serving as a key to understanding materials. The competition aims to promote the reform and innovation of practical teaching in materials science programs at universities, enhance students' ability to analyze material structures and their proficiency in metallographic sample preparation, cultivate a spirit of craftsmanship, and strengthen their comprehensive application of knowledge and practical skills. It also provides a platform for students majoring in materials science across the country to exchange ideas and learn from one another.
It is reported that this year's competition was hosted by the Teaching Guidance Committee for Materials Majors under the Ministry of Education and organized by Chengdu Industrial College. It attracted over 3,700 teachers and students from 562 universities across the country, including Tsinghua University. Notably, the number of universities participating in the preliminary rounds exceeded 600 for the first time, covering almost all core and specialized institutions offering materials science programs in China, setting a new record in scale.
Main venue of the competition
The School of Materials Science and Engineering attached great importance to this competition, providing comprehensive support and guarantees in terms of funding and platforms. The college successfully completed the entire process of preparation and participation, including initial mobilization, internal selection, simulated elimination rounds, provincial competition, and national competition. The competition spanned five months. During the training period, instructors Man Cheng and Pang Kun provided meticulous guidance and organized an exchange competition among five universities: China University of Petroleum, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao Binhai University, Qingdao University of Technology, and Ocean University of China. Teachers and students engaged in discussions on metallographic issues, guidance on sample preparation standards, experience summarization, and simulated competition training, ultimately achieving excellent results in the national competition.
Group photo of teachers and students from the five universities in the exchange competition
National competition site
In recent years, the School of Materials Science and Engineering has placed great emphasis on cultivating students' practical and innovative abilities. Adhering to the philosophy of promoting teaching, learning, and innovation through competitions, the college has deeply integrated discipline competitions into the talent cultivation process, continuously improved the practical teaching system, and encouraged and supported students to actively participate in various competitions. By sorting and publishing a white list of discipline competitions and issuing institutional documents to fund teachers and students' participation, the college has continuously optimized project cultivation. The outstanding achievements in this competition are not only a recognition of the hard work of the participating teachers and students but also a powerful demonstration of the college's teaching strength and talent cultivation results in the field of materials science. The college will continue to rely on high-level discipline competition platforms to constantly stimulate students' enthusiasm for learning professional knowledge, enhance their innovative practical abilities, help students shine on broader stages, and contribute to the cultivation of innovative talents and the university's Double First-Class initiative.
Written by: Wang Xiangyu
Photos by: Pang Kun
