Nanfang College, Guangzhou (NCG) hosted the South China regional round of the 11th National College Students' Human Resource Innovation and Practice Competition (HRU Competition) on 17–18 October, bringing together human resource management students from 17 universities across Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian.
Held under the theme “Intelligence and Compliance”, the event was jointly organised by the China Association for Talent Exchange, China University of Labor Relations and SDIC Human Resources Service Co., Ltd., with NCG's School of Public Administration serving as the regional host. By bringing academic competition closer to workplace practice, the event provided opportunities for students to apply their knowledge, exchange ideas and engage with industry professionals.
Formerly known as the China College Students' Human Resource Innovation and Practice Competition, the HRU Competition adopted its current name in 2026. It is a prominent national competition in the field of human resource management, promoting teaching, learning and research through practical challenges while strengthening collaboration between universities and industry.
The competition features eight categories: case analysis, practical HR solution design, workplace simulations, leaderless group discussions, labour dispute resolution, international HR operations, HR+AI practical applications, and enterprise trade unions and democratic management. These activities place students in realistic professional scenarios, testing their subject knowledge, analytical skills and ability to address workplace challenges. The competition also provides employers with opportunities to identify promising graduates.
Professor Ailan Fu, Executive Vice President of NCG, attended the opening ceremony and delivered an address. She highlighted the College's commitment to applied undergraduate education since its establishment in 2006, particularly its emphasis on industry–education integration and learning through competition.
Professor Fu also noted NCG's partnerships with leading enterprises in establishing industry-focused colleges and practical training bases, as well as its position as China's top-ranked comprehensive private university in the Cuaa.net rankings for two consecutive years. She encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from one another and demonstrate their professional abilities with confidence.
Throughout the event, participants drew on contemporary human resource management knowledge to analyse labour disputes, develop practical HR solutions and simulate workplace communication. Their work demonstrated analytical thinking, teamwork and professional competence, with judges from universities and industry providing feedback informed by their respective areas of expertise.
At the closing ceremony, Professor Chen Tianxiang, Dean of the School of Public Administration, highlighted the competition's close alignment with the digital transformation of human resource management. By introducing emerging industry practices and professional standards into a university setting, the event reflected the School's educational approach of providing broad academic foundations, focusing on key areas, developing professional capabilities and strengthening practical skills.
Dean Chen encouraged students to build on their competition experience by consolidating their professional knowledge and keeping pace with developments in HR big data and digital technologies. He also urged them to carry the determination shown during the competition into their studies and future careers, continuing to develop innovative thinking and the ability to solve complex problems.
As host of the South China regional round, the School of Public Administration drew on its longstanding commitment to encouraging participation in academic and professional competitions. Students from NCG's Human Resource Management programme had previously won First Prize in the national team competition and the Grand Prize in the South China regional team competition at the 10th HRU Competition, reflecting the programme's emphasis on professional knowledge and practical competence.
The event strengthened academic exchange and resource sharing among universities in South China while demonstrating the value of closer links between higher education and industry. Looking ahead, NCG's Human Resource Management programme will continue to use academic competitions to enhance applied education, helping students translate their knowledge into practical problem-solving skills and preparing graduates with the expertise and sense of responsibility needed in the profession.
