The Office of Student Affairs worked with the Graduate School to host the “Afternoon Tea with the Chairperson.” The students attending were postgraduate students, who wanted to provide an alternative set of student voices to senior leaders of SUSTech.

Senior leaders of Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) leaders that attended the afternoon tea were University Council Chairperson Guo Yurong, Vice Chairperson Li Fengliang, Vice President Teng Jinguang, and Secretary-General Chen Siqi.

They were joined by more than 20 postgraduate students, as well as representatives from various departments, residential colleges, and student organizations. This open forum minimized the distance between senior leaders and graduate students while maximizing the impact of the discussions.

Vice Chairperson Li Fengliang first introduced the purpose and significance of the Afternoon Tea. Li Fengliang emphasized that strengthening face-to-face communication between management, departments, and postgraduate students are vital to improving everybody’s understanding and education. He also spoke about how graduate students are a crucial part of the development of the talent pipeline at SUSTech and need to be integrated into the management system of students.

He also explained how it ensures that everyone is able to do a better job if there is a shared understanding of goals and achievements. He hoped that the postgraduate students would give enthusiastic advice and put forward valuable suggestions.

At the end of the event, Li Fengliang hoped that through increased participation in activities like the Afternoon Tea, there would be a more cooperative atmosphere across campus.

Chairperson Guo Yurong affirmed the comments and suggestions. She promised to build more bridges between students and senior leaders. She also said that graduate students are a crucial part of all research universities, and what is more critical for graduates is nurturing their personal skills. Guo Yurong added that graduate students could actively participate in SUSTech’s development and support it in a variety of affairs.

During the session, the postgraduate representatives talked about their lives, their studies and the future employment prospects at SUSTech. Guo Yurong, Li Fengliang, and other leaders dealt with the questions raised by the students.