#Baku #Azerbaijan #Huawei #St. Petersburg #ICPC

Huawei Challenges Industrial Norms at the 2025 ICPC World Finals

In a spectacular culmination of talent and intellect, the 2025 ICPC World Finals held in Baku, Azerbaijan, crowned the St. Petersburg State University team as champions. This event, marking the 49th edition of the annual International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), witnessed a fierce battle among 140 elite problem-solving teams from over 50 countries across six continents.

With a backdrop of innovation and competition, the teams faced 12 rigorous coding challenges. The St. Petersburg team not only outperformed their peers but also showcased the high level of problem-solving skills nurtured within the region of Northern Eurasia. Their performance led them to secure the top score in this challenging contest, marking a significant achievement for the university.

As a key supporter of the ICPC, Huawei introduced a unique industrial challenge during the contest: participants were tasked with optimizing photography algorithms for mobile gallery applications. This challenge was specially designed to bridge the gap between theoretical algorithm knowledge and practical industrial applications. During this three-hour competition, the University of Tokyo managed to impress and took home the second place after St. Petersburg in the main championship.

Voices from the Contest
Bill Poucher, the executive director of ICPC, expressed his admiration for the participants, stating, "What extraordinary talent! Congratulations to the St. Petersburg State University team and the University of Tokyo team. We thank our sponsors, especially Huawei for supporting the ICPC World Finals Challenge."
Xiao Chunpeng, director of Huawei’s competition management department, remarked on the evolution of AI from labs to real-world applications, highlighting the unprecedented opportunities it creates for today’s youth. "Huawei has always recognized the importance of fundamental research,” he said. “We are honored to closely collaborate with organizations like ICPC in these international contests. By presenting some of the greatest challenges currently faced by the industry, we enable the brightest minds to explore new solutions.”

Looking ahead, Huawei has ambitious plans to continue its partnership with ICPC by launching more online challenges focused on AI and algorithms for software enthusiasts. The collaboration will extend to various activities, including training camps, championship challenges, and technology discussions. Together, they aim to foster a new generation of talented individuals and uncover solutions to concrete challenges faced by industries in AI, computing, and operational technologies.

Xiao further elaborated on the significance of these global talent competitions, stating, "Such contests are not just about assessing candidates' skills but also about creating bridges between talent ecosystems and various industries. Huawei is proud to support these platforms, which aid in the emergence of even more exceptional talent worldwide. We hope that future contests will help the youth translate their innovative ideas and technical skills into social progress and industrial development.”

The inspiring achievements and experiences from the ICPC World Finals serve as a beacon for aspiring coders globally, demonstrating the critical interplay between academia and industry. Through initiatives like the one launched by Huawei, the boundaries of knowledge and innovation are continuously expanded, paving the way for future advancements in technology.



In conclusion, the ICPC World Finals not only celebrated the pinnacle of programming talent but also highlighted the significant role that industry partnerships play in shaping the future of technology and innovation. With companies like Huawei investing in real-world challenges, the future looks bright for the upcoming generation of tech innovators and problem solvers.