As the world leaves the 2010s and moves into the 2020s, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) brought in 2020 with the finale of the 5^th Voice of SUSTech and its annual New Year’s Eve Party. The SUSTech community filled Runyang Stadium, where University Council Vice Chairperson Li Fengliang and other senior leaders attended the event that is a highlight of the school year.

As everyone filtered inside, videos filled the screens with a humorous review of 2019, providing an insight into the party that was about to unfold.

The New Year’s Eve Party was opened with a magnificent folk performance titled “Ode to the Mountains and Rivers,” a reflection of our campus. The SUSTech Staff Choir performed “Like You,” before the Qingning Children’s Art Troupe brought an energetic dance performance called “Journey.” The final act of this chapter of the evening came from the Taoyuan Henan Opera Troupe, who gave their own perspective on the beloved Chinese icon, the Monkey King.

The ten finalists from the Voice of SUSTech then took to the stage. Each residential college and level of study was represented, with a vast array of musical genres on display to entertain the crowd. Students sang of romance, of remembrance, of emotions and of loneliness. The audience was passionate in support for each of the ten singers, who were competing to make the final 5 who would perform later in the night.

A variety of different performances took place throughout the evening. The Shuren College Peking Opera Club brought a classic opera to the stage before two former Voice of SUSTech winners teamed up with Romanian international student Ana Stanescu to sing “I Love You China.” The SUSTech Sports Center played an incredible aerobic performance before several groups sang for the audience.

The recipients of National Scholarships were also acknowledged as part of the evening. Shenzhen Institute of Quantum Science and Engineering Dean Academician Yu Dapeng, School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Dean Liu Ke and Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Head Gan Xiaohua presented the awards.

The final five competitors in the 5th Voice of SUSTech were He Yujing, Xu Dongfan, Yu Chen, Li Jinglan, and Jiang Xiaolu. Their last stage of the competition saw delightful audio-visual additions to each students’ song, but ultimately Li Jinglan won the Voice of SUSTech for 2019 with their performance of “Green Bird.” The awards were presented by University Council Vice Chairperson Li Fengliang, Communications and Public Relations Director Zhang Ling, Human Resources Director Chen Zhifeng, and Student Affairs Director Xue Zheng.

As 2019 came to a close, the audience counted down together to the end of the year and the start of 2020 at midnight, with the bells sounding throughout Runyang Stadium and the night air around SUSTech.

With 2020 officially underway, Li Fengliang delivered the 2020 New Year greeting. He focused on what SUSTech had achieved in 2019 and the expectations for SUSTech in its 10^th year. 2020 will be a significant year for SUSTech to seize on the historical and unprecedented opportunities that will allow it to accelerate towards its goal of becoming a world-class research university. He hoped that in 2020, the entire SUSTech community would unite to write a new page in the history book of SUSTech. He closed by wishing everyone a happy new year.