Students from the Department of Communication (DCOM) of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) at Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) have achieved remarkable success in the 2025 competitions, with 80 students being recognized for their outstanding performances. Among these, 34 individual and group projects received awards across 6 competitions, showcasing the department’s exceptional talent and commitment to excellence.

The competitions spanned a wide range of categories, including Planning, Copywriting, Public Relations Campaigns, Video Production, Animation, Data Journalism, News Reporting, and News Page Design. These achievements highlight the students' exceptional academic and creative abilities, as well as their skill in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges. Below is the list of DCOM Students' Achievement among 6 competitions in 2025.

2025 The 17th National Advertising Art Design Competition Competition for College Students

The 10th China University Students PR Planning Contest

L’Oréal Brandstorm 2025

The First Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Communication Competition for College Students

The 10th China Data Journalism Competition and the 1st AIGC Application Competition - Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong Region

2025 China Daily Campus News Award

Award-winning Students' Feelings and Insights

In the 10th China University Students PR Planning Contest, one of the most influential campus public welfare events in the field of public relations, a four-member team from the PRA program achieved remarkable success. Centered on the theme “AI Empowerment, Integrated Development,” the competition attracted over 1,100 teams and more than 6,000 participants from 126 universities across China and abroad. Despite the fierce competition, the PRA team stood out and earned the prestigious National Bronze Award, showcasing their exceptional creativity and strategic thinking. Out of the 387 teams that received awards, only 59 advanced to the finals, highlighting the significance of this remarkable achievement.

Reflecting on the experience, team member Qi shared: “I see this as a profound professional learning journey. From the preliminary rounds to the finals, the months of polishing, rethinking, and revising our work over and over again not only allowed us to complete a comprehensive plan but also helped us understand the true meaning of collaboration and mentorship. I am sincerely grateful to my three teammates. Those late nights we spent revising every word and refining the logic of our presentation, carefully tweaking the visuals, and repeatedly rehearsing our speeches are now cherished memories. We supported one another, encouraged each other, and saw our initial ideas grow into a structured and meaningful project. This award belongs to all of us and our collective effort.”

For Qi, participating in this competition was also an opportunity to learn from outstanding peers from top universities. “It was an unforgettable experience to exchange ideas with such talented students. It showed me where I can improve and strengthened my determination to work harder. I am grateful for all the encounters and lessons during this journey.”

Qi’s reflections and the team’s success highlight not only their dedication and teamwork but also the importance of mentorship and practical experience in preparing students for the challenges of the professional world. Their achievement serves as an inspiration for future participants and underscores the value of combining creativity, strategy, and collaboration in public relations planning.

Bei YU, Yixuan QI, Yinfei LI and Mengdi LI at the 10th China University Students PR Planning Contest finals venue

Bei YU, Yixuan QI, Yinfei LI and Mengdi LI at the 10th China University Students PR Planning Contest finals venue

Bei YU, Yixuan QI, Yinfei LI and Mengdi LI’s certificates of the 10th China University Students PR Planning Contest

Meanwhile, students from the Media and Communication (MCOM) program also achieved outstanding results at the China Daily Campus News Award in 2025. Recognized as one of the most influential and prestigious campus journalism competitions across Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, the competition continues to attract exceptional young talents in the field of media. This year, students from the Department of Communication (DCOM) once again demonstrated their excellence. Among the awardees, Xuan DUAN, a fourth-year MCOM student, earned second place in the Best News Page Design category for her thought-provoking entry titled "Psychiatric Label Under Assembly Line Diagnosis: The Medical, Legal, and Social Dilemmas Behind Misdiagnosis."

DUAN’s work sheds light on the often-overlooked groups harmed by the mental health medical system, focusing on the hidden yet pervasive phenomenon of “assembly line diagnosis.” Her piece delves into the oversimplification and misuse of mental illness diagnoses, revealing the real-world consequences that arise from such practices.

Reflecting on her experience in the competition, she shared: “I realized that a news topic often goes beyond the surface phenomena. During the investigation of mental misdiagnosis, I gradually understood that news writing not only needs to present individual experiences, but also needs to inquire about the underlying systems and legal responsibilities. This taught me to start from a single event and extend it to a holistic consideration of medical norms, patient rights, and legal protection. It also made me clearer about the role of news in public discussions.”

Xuan DUAN is in front of the award-winning work

In another competition, the 2025 17th National Advertising Art Design Competition for College Students, Wanzhen ZHANG, a senior from the Public Relations and Advertising (PRA) program, reflected on her team’s success in the video advertisement category. Their project for "Sanjiu Weitai Yangweishu (三九胃泰牌养胃舒)" won the National Excellence Award and the Second Prize in the Guangdong Division. ZHANG shared, “Breaking free from the didactic style of traditional pharmaceutical brands, we used a first-person perspective to authentically portray the life scenarios of young people—moments that are hard on the stomach yet full of joy. The brand becomes a silent guardian, unobtrusive during moments of happiness but always present when care is needed.” Winning this prestigious award in China’s most authoritative and influential university-level advertising arts competition demonstrates the remarkable talent and creativity of our students.

Certificates of the National Excellence Award and Second Prize in the Guangdong Division of the 17th National Advertising Art Design Competition for College Students and awardees are Wanzhen ZHANG, Han PANG, Xiaomi ZHOU and Yang ZHOU

Faculty Support and Mentorship

The students' achievements were made possible by the dedicated support of the DCOM faculty, who provided mentorship and guidance throughout the preparation process. Teachers worked closely with students to refine their projects, offering constructive feedback and encouraging them to think creatively and critically.

Dr. Jesse Owen Hearns-Branaman, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Communication (DCOM), has been a driving force behind the department’s active participation and success in various prestigious competitions. Under his leadership, both faculty and students have consistently demonstrated excellence in academic and professional competitions. Since the inception of the China Daily Campus News Award, Dr. Hearns-Branaman has played a pivotal role in encouraging and organizing DCOM students to participate in this competition. Thanks to his guidance and dedication, DCOM students have achieved remarkable results every year, earning numerous awards that showcase their talent and hard work. Dr. Hearns-Branaman personally accompanies students to the award ceremonies each year, celebrating their accomplishments and bringing honor to both the department and the university. His unwavering commitment to fostering student growth and success has left a lasting impact on the DCOM community.

BNBU won the “Most Active Participation” award (left: Dr. Jesse Owen Hearns-Branaman, the head of DCom; right: Mr. Zhou Li, the chief editor of China Daily Hong Kong)

Group photo of teachers and students from DCom attending the award ceremony

Dr. Richard XU, Associate Professor and Associate Head of DOM, as well as the supervisor for the 17th National Advertising Art Design Competition for College Students and the 10th China University Students PR Planning Contest, expressed his pride in the students' achievements: "We are thrilled to witness our students excel across such a diverse range of competitions. Their dedication, creativity, and determination reflect the dynamic and supportive learning environment we aim to foster at DCOM. We remain committed to encouraging and empowering them as they embrace new challenges and strive for even greater success."

Group photo of Bei YU, Yixuan QI, Yinfei LI, and Mengdi LI with their supervisor, Dr. Richard XU

Award Showcase

The following is a showcase of some of the award certificates:

Award certificates from the 17th National Advertising Art Design Competition for College Students, along with their respective awards and winners

Award certificates from the the 10th China University Students PR Planning Contest, along with their respective awards and winners

Award certificates from the First Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Communication Competition for College Students

As the DCOM students celebrate their exceptional achievements, their success serves as a beacon of inspiration for current and future students. With their creativity, teamwork, and determination, they are well-positioned to continue making a positive impact in the world of communication and beyond.

Reporter: Katherine HAO

Photo: Award-winning students and the organizing committees of each competition