Qingdao continues to dominate the provincial informatics Olympiad landscape through its systematic talent development framework, consistently producing award-winning students.

The recently released results of the 2025 National Olympiad in Informatics in Provinces (NOIP2025) revealed that Qingdao claimed 88 awards out of 467 provincial winners—nearly one-fifth of the total. Among them, 19 students secured first prizes, 31 earned second prizes, and 38 received third prizes.

Qingdao No. 2 High School led with 38 awardees, including nine first-prize winners. Other top-performing schools included Chengyang No. 1 High School (15 awards), West Coast High School (8), and Qingdao No. 1 High School (7).

The city’s success stems from a structured three-tier training system: fostering interest in elementary school, specialized training in middle school, and advanced development in high school. Qingdao’s selection as the host for the 2026 National Olympiad in Informatics (NOI2026) further underscores its leadership in cultivating informatics talent.

In 2024, Qingdao students won 308 provincial first prizes or higher—a significant increase of 131 from 2023. At NOI2025, they secured three silver and three bronze medals, with one middle schooler achieving silver-level performance.

To support talent development, Qingdao launched the Qingdao Online Judge (QDOJ) in 2024, offering over 20,000 programming problems and free access to students citywide. The platform facilitates early identification and nurturing of gifted students through personalized assessments and competitions.

Additionally, the city organizes "Gold Medal Lectures" and summer camps, benefiting over 1,800 students from remote areas. A hierarchical competition system—spanning school, district, and city levels—provides ample opportunities for skill enhancement.

Qingdao’s Chengyang No. 1 High School will host NOI2026, marking the event’s first northern China venue since 2010. Preparations, including venue upgrades and logistical arrangements, are nearing completion.

The city’s digital education strategy, outlined in the "Qingdao Digital Education Three-Year Action Plan (2025–2027)," emphasizes early talent discovery and interdisciplinary digital literacy programs. Initiatives include training 300 digital-savvy principals and 200 Chief Information Officers (CIOs), alongside fostering AI-focused student development.

With NOI2026 approaching, Qingdao aims to elevate its informatics education to new heights, reinforcing its role as a national hub for digital innovation talent.