The student representatives, led by Dr Weizhuo Shi and consisting of students Junli Wang, Chuqi Feng, Dunpeng Zheng, Hongzhou Zhu, and Airui Wu, competed against over 300 participants from 30 universities, including prestigious institutions such as Zhejiang University, Tongji University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Chongqing University, Central South University, and Tianjin University. The Nottingham team achieved an impressive victory, securing the top among Sino-foreign cooperative universities and institutions.

The Nottingham team was composed of students from diverse disciplines: Civil Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Product Design and Manufacture, showcasing the interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation spirit of the university. This year’s achievement at the Concrete Dragon Boat Invitational Race has bolstered the confidence of both students and faculty.

Reflecting on the previous competition, held at Tongji University during the 8^th Innovative Civil Engineering Materials Competition, where Year 3 students from Nottingham University designed a product that won 2^nd place, it is evident that these interdisciplinary activities have continuously enriched students' educational experiences. Participation in such competitions allows students to apply their theoretical knowledge in practical settings, fostering teamwork and creative problem-solving skills that are essential in their professional development.

The 2024 race was guided by the Engineering Education Professional Committee of the Chinese Higher Education Society and the Professional Guidance Committee for the Civil Engineering Discipline of Higher Schools. It was organized by the International Concrete Dragon Boat Technical Committee and authorized by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and other renowned professional organizations. This year, the competition innovated its format by leveraging the "National Large Earthquake Engineering Simulation Research Facility," a national heavy-duty equipment, to introduce artificial wave generation and set up straight-line round-trip speed races. Participants were encouraged to use new building materials and advanced construction technologies, fostering the cultivation of "creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and creation" among college students. The event emphasized team collaboration and engineering innovation design skills, enhancing the quality of practical teaching and innovation talent cultivation in universities. The next competition will be held at Dalian University of Technology, promising even more exciting developments in the field of concrete dragon boat racing.