On May 14, 2021, the ceremony of 2021 Cao Jiangyou Education Award and Student Award was held in the Electrical Hall of the Xipu Campus of Southwest Jiaotong University. The panel consisted of 11 experts from Southwest Jiaotong University, Tongji University, Central South University, Beijing Jiaotong University, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, East China Jiaotong University, Dalian Jiaotong University, Shijiazhuang Railway University. The review meeting was chaired by Professor Chen Weirong, Secretary General of the Cao Jiangyou Council and Dean of the School of Electrical Engineering at Southwest Jiaotong University.

In accordance with the requirements of the Foundation, the selection process for 2021 Cao Jiangyou Education Award and Student Award was launched on March 24, 2021. After the process of student voluntary application, school review and materials publication, the Award Secretariat had received a total of 39 submissions, including 8 submissions from faculty members (including counselors), 16 from undergraduates, 9 from masters, and 6 from doctors.At the review meeting, experts anonymously voted for candidates of 2021 Cao Jiangyou Education Award and 2021Cao Jiangyou Student Award. The list will be submitted to the Foundation's Board of Directors for review and approval.

In order to inherit the noble spirit of dedication to science and service to the motherland of Professor Cao Jianyu, the founder of the discipline of railway traction electrification and automation in China and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and to inspire students to set high aspirations and serve the country, the Cao Jianyu Foundation for Railway Traction Electrification and Automation Science and Technology Education, led by the School of Electrical Engineering of Southwest Jiaotong University, was initiated in 2016. The Foundation has established "Cao Jianyou Education Award" and "Cao Jianyou Student Award" to honor front-line teachers and counselors, and full-time students who are passionate about education in the fields of rail transportation electrification and automation, electric traction and transmission control, and rail transportation information technology, respectively.