Shanghai Jiao Tong University wins prestigious ASC25 supercomputing challenge

In a significant event for the supercomputing community, the ASC Student Supercomputer Challenge (ASC25) concluded at Qinghai University in Xining, China on May 25, 2025. Over 300 university teams from around the globe participated in this esteemed competition, which required advancements in high-performance computing and scientific problem-solving skills. The competition took place at the highest-altitude venue in ASC’s history, underscoring the challenging conditions faced by participants. After rigorous evaluations, the team from Shanghai Jiao Tong University was declared the champion, demonstrating exceptional abilities in tasks related to artificial intelligence and optimization strategies. The competition format involved a preliminary selection round, from which 25 teams advanced to the finals. Each team was tasked with designing and deploying small-scale supercomputing clusters under a power consumption limit of 4,000 watts, where they executed and optimized various benchmark tests and scientific applications. The teams presented their findings through oral defenses before a jury consisting of over ten experts in the field. Shanghai Jiao Tong University excelled particularly in optimizing AlphaFold3 inference and cosmic neutrino detection simulations, solidifying their victory. Peking University garnered silver for their impressive results in RNA 5-methylcytosine modification site detection and DeepSeek optimization. They implemented various techniques like task decomposition and parallel computing strategies which showcased their depth of understanding in high-performance computing. Their performance was notable, earning the team a prestigious prize acknowledging their innovative approaches during the competition. Furthermore, other teams like those from Zhejiang University, Fuzhou University, and Qilu University of Technology were recognized with the Application Innovation Award, highlighting their inventive problem-solving strategies in specific challenges. The outcomes of this competition reflect not only the prowess of these academic institutions but also the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and the drive to overcome complex scientific challenges shared by the youth involved in supercomputing. Qinghai University's President, Shi Yuanchun, emphasized the importance of such competitions as platforms for intergenerational learning and a bridge for scientific collaboration across cultures, while also expressing aspirations for future advancements in supercomputing technology on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.