On the sunny afternoon of September 14, 2016, the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, SUSTech’s third “President Afternoon Tea” was held in the activity room of Shuren College, during which President Chen Shiyi and forty-odd students from different colleges discussed the development plans for SUSTech. Han Wei, Deputy Director of Preparation Office, deans of colleges and heads of the Office of Students Affairs and Teaching Department also attended the “President Afternoon Tea”.

The “President Afternoon Tea”

President Chen Shiyi extended festival greetings to the students and talked about the recent rapid development of SUSTech, including the steadily improved quality of enrolled students, talent introduction and cooperation with the world’s prestigious universities. He answered students’ questions concerning SUSTech’s development plans, the relocation of new dormitories and the establishment of academic atmosphere. The present teachers and students discussed issues together and put forward many constructive suggestions. With positive interactions between President Chen and students, the atmosphere of the afternoon tea was quite lively.

“SUSTech makes considerable progress in many undertakings this summer.”

“SUSTech makes considerable progress in many undertakings this summer.” At the beginning of the afternoon tea, President Chen excitedly shared with students the rapid progress of SUSTech. During this summer, President Chen led a delegation of SUSTech to visit five British universities, namely, University of Warwick, University of Birmingham, University of Leeds, University of East Anglia and University of Surrey to discuss in-depth cooperation and promote common development, and signed cooperation agreements with the universities. “Wherever we went, we were warmly welcomed. This fully reflects the influence of Shenzhen and SUSTech,” the president said.

“This morning, we signed contracts with some experts.” Speaking of introducing teachers, President Chen said confidently, “The quality of our professors is becoming even better. This morning, we reviewed and agreed to introduce over 20 outstanding professors. Meanwhile the freshmen this year are also of high quality.” President Chen stressed that SUSTech attaches much importance to quality both in enrolling students and introducing professors. “SUSTech needs not only more masters, but also young professors to infuse energy into SUSTech’s future.” President Chen expressed.

“We’ll make Lilin College as comfortable and beautiful as Lake College!”

To accommodate the 2016 freshmen, SUSTech is constructing a new college, Lilin College, and the environment, teaching facilities and living facilities of the new dormitory building in Lilin College have been a topic of concern for students.

Referring to the construction of the new dormitory building, President Chen remarked, “I may be more anxious than anyone.” Due to the weather and other reasons, the construction of new dormitories has been affected. Yet the Departments of Infrastructure and Logistics have been working hard. President Chen told the students, “I went to see the progress today. The asphalt road has been paved. The environment is up to standard according to yesterday’s tests. The construction of infrastructure projects has been completed.” Heads of relevant departments added that the teaching facilities could fulfill the needs of freshman; new canteens and supermarkets were ready to receive students; activity rooms and cultural facilities were under improvement. President Chen encouraged the students to put forward suggestions after living in the new dormitory building, and hoped that students would have confidence in SUSTech and be patient. “We’ll make Lilin College as comfortable and beautiful as Lake College!” President Chen promised.

“SUSTech is a big family. Let’s work together to make it better!”

During the afternoon tea, students also posed questions or commented on issues concerning the construction of campus culture, establishment of academic atmosphere, dormitory management, sports facilities, ideological and political curriculum arrangement, graduate enrollment, etc. President Chen, Deputy Director Han Wei, deans of colleges and heads of the Office of Students Affairs and Teaching Department frankly answered questions and exchanged views with students.

The afternoon tea was lively with warm and sincere discussions and exchanges, which gave everyone confidence and promising visions of the future development of SUSTech. Professor Chen Yuehong, former Dean of Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Beijing University, recently came to SUSTech as the director of the Humanities Center, and the dean of a new college. He spoke highly of the beautiful campus and complete software and hardware facilities, and commended the students for working together to solve problems in the development of SUSTech. “Modern people prefer to cope with problems by themselves; yet it is also very important to learn to negotiate and discuss with others, and share ideas!”

At the end of the afternoon tea, President Chen once again expressed his feelings, “Your care for SUSTech, in fact, is support for us. We are a big family. Both teachers and students are owners of this campus. Thank you for actively offering advice and suggestions. My heart is always with you and we share the same prospect, which is to build SUSTech to be a better home and cultivate the best students!”

A Student Giving a Speech