On January 8, 2025, the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) held its first International Faculty and Student Gala at the University’s Convention Center.

Li JIN, Vice President for Global Strategies, and representatives from various schools, departments, and administrative units, attended the gala. Qi CHEN, a representative from the Department of Education of Guangdong Province, also participated in the event.

Qi CHEN spoke highly of SUSTech’s achievements in international education and congratulated the University on establishing its Global Cultural Association. He emphasized that international education is essential to universities in Guangdong and expressed hope of broadening the academic and cultural horizons of every international student studying and living in the province, as well as contributing unique value to cultural integration and development.

In the future, the Department of Education of Guangdong Province will continue to support universities’ active exploration in educational reform, focusing on key fields and core technologies, vigorously allocating high-level international education resources, deepening international cooperation, broadening the scope of global exchanges, and improving the quality of such collaboration. He encouraged SUSTech to continue its exemplary role in promoting international exchanges.

Vice President Li JIN expressed his gratitude to all the faculty members who support and assist the international community. He highlighted a series of breakthroughs in SUSTech’s globalization efforts over the past year, including becoming the first university in Shenzhen to participate in the Chinese Government Scholarship program, hosting the largest number of visiting students under the “Young Envoys Scholarship” in Guangdong Province, and achieving a record high enrollment of international students.

Since its establishment, SUSTech has embraced a convergent management approach, actively building an internationalized campus and promoting diverse exchange activities. The University has continuously strengthened its global cooperation network, making remarkable achievements in building a global competence-based talent cultivation system.

Vice President JIN added that the University will continue to promote its globalization efforts, striving for excellence with an international perspective. He hopes the faculty members and students will collaborate and work together for a community that embodies excellence, inclusivity, and global vision.

During the event, recipients of the 2024 Guangdong Government Outstanding International Scholarship and the faculty members and students who made outstanding contributions to international cooperation and exchanges were honored with certificates presented by Qi CHEN and Professor Wei HONG.

The event concluded with the announcement of the establishment of the SUSTech Global Cultural Association, and the appointment of Professors Jun FENG and Lianping WANG as its faculty mentors.

The association aims to create a platform for cultural interaction, promote understanding and collaboration between domestic and international students, and build an environment that is inclusive, diverse, and rich in cross-cultural exchange.