On August 22, 2021, freshmen from the Class of 2025 arrived on campus as they embarked on the next stage of their academic journey with the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech).

Under the guidance of staff and volunteers, the new students went through the enrollment procedures, received their SUSTech campus card, enjoyed photos with the mascots on display, and explored various locations on campus.

SUSTech arranged for the new students to register in batches according to the appointment system in place. The University set up eleven location points to complete the registration of all the freshmen in an efficient and well-organized manner.

SUSTech prepared bottled water, disposable masks, hand sanitizer, medical kits, and other materials for the freshmen and their family members to take at the registration locations.

The University also arranged for medical institutions to conduct nucleic acid testing for all new students and guests who entered the campus. This is to comply with the epidemic prevention and control measures in place on campus.

On entry to the campus from the main entrance gate of the University, there are various signposts put in place to guide the new students to the registration location points. In addition, there was also an increased number of shuttle buses in service to meet the demands of the registering students and family members. It allowed the new members of SUSTech to enjoy their first journey of the campus and take in the various landscapes along the way.

Yang ZHONG, one of the new freshmen from Foshan in Guangdong province, shared his thoughts on the admission. “On entering SUSTech, you are instantly immersed with the greenery of the trees and river stream. The natural environment of the University relaxes the mind and removes any nervousness as you indulge yourself in the calming scenery. The faculty staff and senior students who volunteered were very accommodating and helpful by guiding us in the right direction to the registration location.”

A parent of a freshman from Hainan spoke about her child’s admission to SUSTech. “This is the first time that SUSTech has enrolled students from Hainan province. My daughter is honored to join SUSTech after all the hard work she has put into her studies. SUSTech has a high caliber faculty, and the quality of students has reached a new high every year. The University attaches great importance to personalized training that helps students choose the most suitable pathway for them. I believe that my daughter will mature and achieve a lot of success at SUSTech.”

In the morning, Fengliang LI, University Council Chairperson, Qikun XUE, President of SUSTech, Dongxiao ZHANG, Vice President and Provost of SUSTech, faculty heads, and representatives from various departments visited the registration locations and spoke to some of the freshmen and their families members.

Fengliang LI visited the registration office to learn more about the registration process and visited the nucleic acid testing location and the military training materials office to check on the preparations in place. He expressed his gratitude to all the hard-working staff, faculty members, and students who volunteered to help.

He also spoke warmly with some freshmen and their family members, asking them questions such as “Which middle school do you come from?”, “What did you do after coming to school?”, “What are your special hobbies?” and so on. He welcomed them all to SUSTech and wished them all the best in their studies at the University.

Also, in the morning, President Qikun XUE visited the freshman registration location to learn more about the registration procedure.

He hopes that everyone will do an excellent job providing services to the new students and their family members. He said that it is important to leave a good impression in their eyes and ensure the smooth completion of the orientation work.

At the registration location at Zhixin College, President XUE spoke with some of the freshmen and their family members. He said that the students who registered for admission today are the first students he has welcomed as president of the University and thanked them for their trust and support.

As a research university tasked with reforming higher education in China, SUSTech undertakes the vital mission of cultivating top talents who will make significant contributions to society in the future. He added that the faculty and staff at SUSTech would work together to create a worthy environment for the students to prosper and grow.

This year, SUSTech enrolled 1,160 undergraduates from 23 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across mainland China. The number of online applications for admission to SUSTech this year also reached a record high of 44,507. Additionally, the total number of candidates participating in SUSTech’s ability test reached a record 16,000, increasing 10% from the previous year.

A breakthrough has also been made in recruiting exceptional students, from disciplines including chemistry gold medalists that have been selected in large numbers. The number of candidates ranked as the top 1,000 scorers in the Gaokao in each province has also increased.

To encourage students to pursue innovation and excellence, SUSTech has set up various scholarships and grants. At the time of enrollment, the coverage of freshmen scholarships exceeded 65%. The University also offers comprehensive scholarships such as outstanding student scholarships and college scholarships every year.

Additionally, to inspire undergraduates to conduct scientific research, SUSTech provides financial support and awards for students to participate in subject competitions. It encourages undergraduates to apply for funding for scientific research projects such as the “College Students’ Entrepreneurship Competition and “Climbing Project.”

The University also promotes students’ overseas exchanges through undergraduate overseas study subsidies and the Shenzhen Universiade International Scholarship.

SUSTech will assist students with financial difficulties through student loans, work-study assistance, insurance subsidies, etc. They do this to make life comfortable at SUSTech, where students don’t need to worry about financial issues.

SUSTech organized 125 volunteers to participate in the orientation work. They are indispensable for the smooth process of registering the new undergraduates, along with other activities such as guiding students and their family members to the University, distributing registration materials, answering any questions they may have, and guiding them to other location points on campus.

To ensure the safety of all the new arrivals, as in previous years, the University’s emergency rescue team was on call and ready if required.

Qi WU, an undergraduate student and volunteer from Shude College, said, “I can still remember the first day when I arrived at SUSTech and how well the senior students and volunteers treated me. Now, as a volunteer myself, it is important for me to give back to the University and serve my fellow students at SUSTech. I am extremely proud to help where needed and hope to make the new freshmen feel at home on the campus.”

The Students’ Affairs Centre prepared a “Freshman Gift Pack” to the delight of the freshmen. It included various accessories such as a customized SUSTech carrier bag, umbrella, an ID card pouch, and a sewing kit.

The various colleges and departments of SUSTech have prepared a variety of activities for the new students, such as a campus-guided tour, a laboratory tour, and a welcome show. It’s an opportunity to help newcomers integrate into their campus life at SUSTech.

In addition, from August 23, the freshmen undergraduates will take part in a series of military training and enrollment education activities. It includes psychological adaptation and self-development, education relating to the establishment of the University, and other activities.