On August 29, 2026, the final presentation and award ceremony of the 11th Canada International Invention Innovation Competition (iCAN) was held in Toronto, Canada. Peishan Wu, a third-year Environmental Science student at Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU), presented a project, which was developed under the joint supervision of Dr. Danny Chi Man Leong and Dr. Matthew Yuk-Yu Lui. The project stood out among numerous entries from around the world and was awarded the Gold Medal.
The Canada International Invention Innovation Competition (iCAN) is a leading international competition for young inventors in Canada. Since its establishment in 2016, the competition has been held for 11 consecutive years and has gained significant recognition worldwide. This year’s competition brought together university teams from around the world, with entries evaluated by judges based on multiple criteria, including innovation, technical feasibility, and potential for industrial application. The competition was highly competitive.
The award-winning project, titled “Novel Resource Recovery Technology for Regenerating Clogged Ultrafiltration Membrane via Insect-derived Microorganisms,” focuses on the challenge of ultrafiltration membrane fouling in the water treatment industry. The project explores an innovative technology for the non-destructive regeneration of clogged ultrafiltration membranes using insects and their gut microorganisms, offering a new approach to the recycling and reuse of membrane components and demonstrating strong potential for practical application. The project was jointly developed by faculty and students from BNBU and Hong Kong Baptist University, with support from research resources at both universities and the 2026 Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program.
Dr. Danny Chi Man Leong (right) and Peishan Wu (left) | (Source: Pearl Magazine, TVB Pearl Channel)
During the preparation for the competition, the team closely followed the requirements of international competitions and completed all necessary preparations, including the English-language project materials, academic poster, and online presentation and defense. The faculty and student team repeatedly refined the research content and strengthened the project, approaching the competition with a rigorous attitude toward research. The project’s solid research foundation and innovative solution received strong recognition from the international judging panel. Their invention aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, “Clean Water and Sanitation,” and responds to China’s national priorities, including the ongoing development of a Beautiful China and the needs for water, ecological, and environmental protection, and pollution prevention and control, outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan. The achievement demonstrates the determination and innovative capabilities of BNBU Environmental Science faculty and students in conducting research to address global environmental challenges on the international stage.
This award follows the Silver Medal received by a joint project from BNBU and Hong Kong Baptist University at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions in April this year. It marks another successful collaboration between the two universities and reflects BNBU Environmental Science’s continued efforts to strengthen research collaboration with universities across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Written and photographed by: Peishan Wu
Edited by: Shimei He
Reviewed by: Chi Man LEONG and Siu-tai TSIM
Translated by: Julia Miyagawa Braga
