Zhang Tongwei from the Faculty of Engineering and Li Kunyue from the Faculty of Economics both claimed the grand prize in Category C (Non-English Majors) at the Guangdong regional finals of the 2026 National English Competition for College Students (NECCS). The achievement marked the third consecutive year, from 2024 to 2026, that SMBU students have won the grand prize in this competition.

In addition, SMBU was honored with the Progressive Organization Award, becoming one of only five universities to receive this recognition among the 54 competing higher education institutions.