The 7th Akzo Nobel China Student Sustainability Award ceremony was held in Shanghai on November 20.

Sponsored by Akzo Nobel China since 2011, the award is the first social welfare award in China to be presented to university student associations. This year, 297 associations from 130 universities around the country have taken part in the event and conducted 309 public welfare projects.

This year, besides funding traditional charity projects, the award provider has added a “Masters’ Aesthetics Class” project which aims to help children in rural schools to feel, discover and create beauty. Student groups from top universities in the fields of architecture and art have been supported to visit 18 world-famous art masters and bring their excellent ideas and successful projects to rural schools.

“Akzo Nobel is honored to explore new ideas for aesthetic education in remote areas of China with academicians and famous artists who have participated in this charity program,” said Lin Liangqi, President of Akzo Nobel China.

Lin added that aesthetic education has far-reaching significance in enhancing cultural competitiveness and helping to realize the 'Chinese Dream.' It is very important to cultivate children's ability to discover, appreciate and create beauty from childhood.“This powerful inner strength will inspire them all their lives. Under the influence of this power, students will always believe in the beauty of the world wherever they are and whenever it is.”

Up till now, with more than 470 programs having been financially aided, the majority of which is education-related, the award has developed into an important stage for the growth of Chinese university students and has made outstanding contributions to the development of China's education.