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On July 18, GEC Academy launched the Xi’an University Partnership Initiative for the 2026 OPC 3.0 Global Business Challenge at Xi’an Eurasia University, bringing the OPC university network to Shaanxi for the first time. With its historic ties to the Silk Road and growing innovation community, Xi’an provided a fitting setting for the launch. Under the theme “Silk Road Singularity: Building AI-Powered OPC in Xi’an Universities,” the event explored how universities and industry can work together to foster AI entrepreneurialism and connect student learning with real-world challenges. Xi’an Eurasia University, a well-established private university known for its application-oriented approach, became the first university partner for OPC 3.0 in Shaanxi. Its strong focus on project-based learning and industry engagement closely reflects the practice-oriented approach behind the OPC initiative.
The initiative was jointly launched by GEC Academy and Xi’an Eurasia University, with the Association for Student Employment, the Asia-Pacific Society for Students Career and Entrepreneurship, and the Xi’an Artificial Intelligence Association joining as partners. INTIME Retail served as the flagship title partner.
Representatives from education, technology, and industry sectors gather to witness the launch of the OPC university partnership initiative in Xi’an.
Hosted by Ms. Wendy Wang, Co-founder of GEC Academy, the event featured opening remarks, partnership ceremonies, keynote speeches, and panel discussions centered on AI entrepreneurialism, talent development, and university–industry collaboration. The launch also marked two new collaborations for GEC Academy: with Xi’an Eurasia University on OPC 3.0 projects and industry challenges, and with the Association for Student Employment’s Office of Internship and Services on the recognition of students’ internship and project experience.
Highlights from the Event
Mr. Rui Wu shares Xi’an Eurasia University’s practice-oriented approach to education.
Mr. Wei Xu, General Manager of Touch Turing (Xi’an), shared how AI applications are creating new possibilities in education and professional fields.
Panel 1: Preparing Students for an AI-Driven Future through University–Industry Collaboration
Panel 2: Talent and Industry Opportunities in Xi’an’s AI Landscape
About the 2026 OPC 3.0 Global Business Challenge
The 2026 OPC 3.0 Global Business Challenge brings together university students and young innovators to explore how AI can be applied to real-world and business problems. Participants can pursue their own ideas through the Innovation Track or take on challenges from industry partners through the Challenge Track · Bounty. To date, OPC 3.0 has reached around 30 universities across China and works with industry partners including INTIME Retail, New Oriental, Zhaopin, Tencent Cloud, Seko, AWS, and SenseTime, etc.
With nearly 500 teams participating, the competition is now entering its final stages. The Top 100 were announced on August 7, with the Top 20 finalists to be revealed on August 16, followed by the final Demo Day at the end of August. This fall, GEC will bring OPC to more campuses through a city-by-city, university-specific approach, and in September, plans to launch the 2nd OPC 3.0 Global Business Challenge in Hong Kong, opening the competition to a broader international participant community. For more information about the 2026 OPC 3.0 Global Business Challenge, please visit opc.gecacademy.cn.
For GEC faculty members: if you are interested in AI entrepreneurialism, venture building, youth innovation, or future career development, please feel free to reach out to us at publicity@gecacademy.com to explore future collaboration opportunities, including workshops, mentoring sessions, seminars, and community engagement.