The list of recipients for the 2023–2024 China College Student Self-Reliance Star Scholarship has recently been announced. Zhang Jiaying, a student from the College of Science at Northeast Forestry University (NEFU), has been awarded the honorary title of “China College Student Self-Reliance Star” and received the “New Oriental Self-Reliance Scholarship for China College Students.”

Zhang Jiaying is an undergraduate student from the Class of 2021, majoring in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the College of Science. She has previously served as the Minister of the Volunteer Department of the Green Wings Youth Volunteer Association and the Minister of the Science and Innovation Department of the College’s Youth League Committee. Her achievements include a bronze medal in the China International College Student Innovation Competition, a silver medal in the China Youth Volunteer Service Project Competition, a gold medal in the Heilongjiang Provincial Final of the “Challenge Cup” China College Student Entrepreneurship Competition, and another gold medal in the Heilongjiang Provincial Final of the China International “Internet+” College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. She also won second prize in the Northeast Three Provinces Mathematical Modeling League and third prize in the Heilongjiang Provincial Final of the National College Student Mathematics Competition. To date, she has received over 30 awards and honors at various levels, including recognition as an Outstanding Communist Youth League Cadre, Excellent Student Cadre, Active Participant in Social Practice, and Advanced Individual in Volunteer Service at the university level. As the team leader of her social practice team, the “Donglin Spark Team,” she was recommended to participate in the National College Student Summer Social Practice Team Showcase. The team received special recognition from the “Diligent Action Plan” initiative under the National College Students’ “Three Going to the Countryside” social practice activities. It was selected as part of the National College Student Care Action “Colorful Summer Vacation” Volunteer Service Group. As a project leader, her initiative, “Spark Education—Growth Protection Project for Left-Behind Children,” has been reported on nearly 100 times by media outlets such as China Youth Network. She has a total of 586 volunteer service hours.

The 2023–2024 “China College Student Self-Reliance Star” Scholarship selection process was guided by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League and the All-China Students’ Federation and jointly organized by China Youth Daily, New Oriental Education & Technology Group, and the China Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Foundation. With the theme “Confidence and Self-Reliance, Taking on Responsibilities,” the scholarship encourages young students to step forward in fields such as technological innovation, rural revitalization, green development, social services, and safeguarding the nation’s borders. This initiative aims to showcase the spirit of Chinese youth in the new era—embodying ideals, taking on responsibilities, enduring hardships, and striving for success. It also seeks to set examples for patriotic college students, possess strong moral character, face challenges bravely, and be self-reliant in their pursuit of progress. Since the program’s inception in 2007, NEFU has had one student recognized as a “China College Student Self-Reliance Star Pacesetter,” 13 students honored as “China College Student Self-Reliance Stars,” and 21 students receive the “China College Student Self-Reliance Star Nomination Award.”