On January 21, 2026, the signing ceremony between the Fudan University School of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (the “School”) and the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge China (the “Challenge”) was held at the Handan Campus. According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Fudan University School of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Innovation will serve as the co-organizer for the 2025-2026 “UN Robotics for Good Youth Challenge” in China, jointly promoting the popularization, education, and ethical “tech-for-good” development of AI and robotics technology among youth.
The “Robotics for Good Youth Challenge” is a global initiative launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the United Nations. It aims to encourage youth worldwide to utilize robotics technology to propose innovative solutions for societal challenges such as sustainable development, educational equity, environmental protection, and community service, while emphasizing values of ethics, inclusion, and “tech-for-good” in technological advancement. Activities within the China region are organized and coordinated by the China Organizing Committee.This cooperation marks a significant partnership between a premier Chinese university and an international initiative in the fields of youth science and technology education and AI ethics. According to the MoU, both parties will leverage Fudan University’s academic strengths in AI and robotics, combined with the Organizing Committee’s international platform resources, to co-build a youth robotics innovation platform integrating learning, practice, and competition. This will bridge basic and higher education, providing support for building a robust AI talent pipeline in China.
Liu Yuyin, Chair of the China Expert Committee, noted in her speech that the “Robotics for Good Youth Challenge” originates from the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s theme focuses on “Safeguarding Food Security with AI,” echoing global goals to reduce hunger while aligning with China’s “AI Plus action plan. She stated: “We look forward to working with Fudan University to sow the seeds of ‘tech-for-good’ in the hearts of Chinese youth, inspiring them to respond to the issues of our time through engineering innovation, and allowing the intelligent solutions of Chinese youth to contribute to global sustainable development.”
Chai Hongyu, Deputy Secretary of the School’s Party Committee, said: “As a top Chinese university, Fudan always regards ‘fostering virtue and cultivating talent’ as the fundamental task of nurturing top-notch innovative talents. The School of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Innovation bears the heavy responsibility of cultivating outstanding engineers, as well as scientific and industrial leaders for the new era.” “Our co-hosting of this global youth challenge is not only a recognition of the university’s academic strength but also a powerful testament to our direction of ‘rooting in China, looking at the world, and serving society’.”
Dr. Yao Xu, Secretary-General of the Center for Global AI Innovative Governance (CGAIG) and Associate Researcher at the Fudan Development Institute, delivered a speech as a special guest. He emphasized: “In today’s era of rapid AI development, it is crucial to cultivate correct technological values and governance thinking starting from the youth stage to bridge the intelligence divide, strengthen capacity building, and co-build an inclusive new world of intelligence. This cooperation is a vivid manifestation of ‘governance leading innovation, and education shaping the future’.”
“We expect this to produce a leading demonstrative effect. As a co-organizer of the activity, CGAIG will provide further support.” According to the cooperation plan, both parties will collaborate closely to organize and carry out work in the China region. Key focuses will include integrating Fudan University’s characteristic expertise in robot system design, intelligent algorithms, human-computer interaction, and AI ethics. Furthermore, opportunities for further incubation and international exchange will be provided for outstanding projects.
During the ceremony, Sang Ziyang, a student volunteer representative from Fudan University, shared the younger generation’s expectations and enthusiasm for tech-for-good. Subsequently, representatives from both sides officially signed the MoU and exchanged documents. The expert appointment decisions were also announced. Fang Hongbin, Vice Dean of the School of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, was appointed as Vice Chair of the China Expert Committee. Shang Huiliang, head of the Robotics and Autonomous Unmanned Systems Laboratory at the School of Future Information Innovation, was appointed as a Senior Expert of the Expert Committee to provide professional technical guidance for the Challenge.
After the meeting, all participants took a group photo, witnessing this important moment where international cooperation promotes the cultivation of youth scientific literacy and global responsibility.
This cooperation is a proactive practice of Chinese youth participating in global science, technology, and global innovation efforts. Both parties collectively look forward to the emergence of youth teams that possess both technological innovation capabilities and social awareness through this platform, injecting a vigorous “for good” momentum into the development of AI and robotics technology.
