On August 11, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) and the Kaisa Group (Kaisa) signed an agreement to sponsor Shenzhen Yuzhong Badminton Club, a China Badminton Super League (CBSL) team based in Shenzhen. The signing ceremony was held in the international conference hall on campus.

SUSTech and Kaisa will occupy the front of the shirt position, as Shenzhen SUSTech Kaisa, for the team throughout the 2020 season to the 2024 season, including the participation in CBSL. Kaisa will provide financial support as the sponsor.

The CBSL is the prime badminton team competition in China. It has attracted big-time commercialized teams with top players from across China and around the world. Shenzhen Yuzhong Badminton Club finished 6^th in the 2018- 2019 session.

As an innovative university that focuses primarily on science, engineering, and medicine, SUSTech takes a comprehensive approach to the physical well-being of the SUSTech community.

“SUSTech has a robust sporting culture on campus as part of our education commitment. SUSTechers regularly participate in top sporting competitions across China and have received medals at all levels. This announcement marks the first sponsorship for a professional team and will see further impetus into the development of sports culture on campus & across Shenzhen,” said SUSTech President Shiyi CHEN.

To enhance the University’s sports culture, SUSTech Sports Center has stepped up for the community. The Center attracts professional athletes as faculty members, including two champions from Olympic and world games.

To promote industry-university cooperation is part of SUSTech’s mission. This cooperation provides a new way for collaboration between industry, University, and sporting clubs.

“Kaisa has built a solid foundation of cooperation with SUSTech. We will continue to invest in education and public welfare. Through the industry-university collaboration, Kaisa will present more sporting events for the local community,” said Kaisa Chief Executive Officer Fan MAI.

Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Director Heyun ZHANG thanked both SUSTech and Kaisa for their local badminton club and local sports development.

SUSTech University Council Vice Chairperson Fengliang LI hoped that through this tripartite cooperation, there would be the further promotion of sports culture in universities. He also anticipated the improvement of teachers’ and students’ physical embodiment, which would integrate with teaching and scientific research development.

Attendees at the signing ceremony included Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Director Heyun ZHANG, SUSTech President Shiyi CHEN, Vice President Dongxiao ZHANG, Kaisa Chief Executive Officer Fan MAI, Shenzhen Yuzhong Badminton Club Chairman Ruihua ZHENG and General Manager Hua HUANG. SUSTech University Council Vice Chairperson Fengliang LI presided over the ceremony. Before the ceremony, SUSTech University Council Chairperson Yurong GUO met with the delegation.