Students show a sofa designed to accommodate the elderly at Zhejiang's annual college student mechanical design contest in Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, on May 24. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

An annual college student mechanical design contest of Zhejiang province was held in Zhejiang Ocean University in Zhoushan from May 24 to 26, attracting participants from 51 colleges and universities across the province. 

The competition aims to cultivate a sense of creative design and team spirit among college students by promoting educational reforms, enlivening the academic atmosphere and promoting inter-school communication. 

This year's contest focuses on creative mechanical design that enhances the life of the elderly, including their daily life, entertainment, reading, exercise, mobility and shopping.

As a part of Zhejiang's innovation and entrepreneurship education program for schools of higher learning, the contest requires students to independently complete the entire process from designing, finding parts processing companies and purchasing accessories to making and testing the models.

Judges review a chair made for the elderly at Zhejiang's annual college student mechanical design contest in Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, on May 24. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]