To deepen foreign language education reform in higher education institutions and cultivate high-level international communication talents, the English series of the Gansu Semi-finals of the 2025 "FLTRP·ETIC Cup" "Understanding Contemporary China" National Foreign Language Proficiency Competition for College Students was held at Hexi University from November 1st to 2nd. A total of 305 contestants from 22 undergraduate universities across the province competed. The English series included five categories: Comprehensive Ability, Public Speaking, Written Translation, Interpretation, and Short Video. Our university's students performed exceptionally well, achieving continued success: 6 students won provincial first prizes, 1 won a second prize, and 7 won third prizes. The university was awarded the "Outstanding Organization Award," and 4 students will represent Gansu Province in the national finals held in December.

This competition was hosted by the Gansu Provincial Department of Education, jointly organized by Hexi University, the Gansu Provincial College Foreign Language Teaching Research Association, and Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, with support from the Gansu Provincial Committee for the Guidance, Accreditation, and Textbook Development of Foreign Language and Literature Programs in Higher Education Institutions, the Gansu Provincial Committee for the Guidance and Textbook Development of College English Teaching in Higher Education Institutions, and the Gansu Translators Association. Guided by the theme "Understanding China, Connecting the World," the competition aims to: deepen the "Three Advances" initiative and innovate curriculum-based ideological and political education; advance educational reform and test teaching outcomes; and tell China's stories well to serve international communication. This event is a national-level competition for graduate and undergraduate students across China, jointly organized by Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, the National Advisory Committee for College Foreign Language Education in Higher Education Institutions, the National Advisory Committee for English Language Education in Higher Education Institutions, and the National Research Centre for Foreign Language Education. It is one of the most prominent foreign language competitions in China, providing a comprehensive platform for college students to demonstrate their foreign language proficiency, communication skills, and critical thinking abilities.

The university places high importance on fostering students' innovation and entrepreneurship capabilities and the organization of various foreign language competitions. The School of Foreign Languages established a guidance team composed of key faculty members, who provided systematic training for the participants, laying a solid foundation for their outstanding performance. Furthermore, the consistent success of our students in this competition in recent years reflects the university's strong emphasis on foreign language teaching and the cultivation of students' international perspectives, as well as demonstrates the positive outcomes of our university's foreign language teaching reform and practical instruction.