December 5 marks the 40th International Volunteer Day, a global observance established by the UN General Assembly in 1985 to honor volunteers worldwide and promote broader participation in public service.
Embracing this spirit, Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) has continued to advance its international volunteer initiatives, with students and faculty demonstrating exceptional cross-cultural competence and global engagement.
SYSU Honored in Outstanding Cases of Guangdong International Volunteers
On December 1, the "Outstanding Cases of Guangdong International Volunteer Service Projects" were unveiled at the 2025 "Understanding China" Conference in Guangzhou. Highlighting the university's commitment to global cooperation, five SYSU initiatives were selected among the province's outstanding international volunteer service projetcs.
Notably, the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center received the prestigious "Top Ten Outstanding Cases" award for its medical outreach program under the Belt and Road Initiative. Additionally, four other SYSU projects were recognized as "Model Cases" for their diverse impact.
SYSU Volunteers Shine at the National Games
At the 15th National Games hosted across the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), SYSU students and faculty played pivotal roles.
Associate Professor Jiayi Tang (fourth from the left) at the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games.
Associate Professor Jiayi Tang, a Hong Kong scholar from SYSU's Institute of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Development Studies, has been recognized one of the 50 model volunteers under the "Global Guangdong Volunteers" program. Serving as Deputy Director of the Coordination Office for Hong Kong and Macao Affairs for the 15th National Games, she facilitated crucial communication between the three regions.
As a communication scholar, Tang also engaged with major media outlets, including CCTV, sharing the inspiring stories of Hong Kong youth contributing to national development.
SYSU's "Little Dolphins" Make Waves
Meanwhile, SYSU's "Little Dolphins" volunteer team served as a vibrant force throughout the event. A total of 906 volunteers were deployed across Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai, with 427 participating in the opening ceremony following months of rigorous training. Their duties spanned audience services, venue operations, protocol, and cheerleading.
The event also showcased the integration of youth, with a total of 39 SYSU students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan devoting their passion and energy to this grand national event, while playing a pivotal role in fostering cross-regional connections.
Among them are SYSU students Zhengnuo Yao from Hong Kong and Junhan Huang from Macao, who launched a Cantonese workshop with their peers from Guangzhou, where volunteers from across China learned basic phrases like "Morning" and "Thank you" to better serve the local attendees. "Even with varied pronunciations, everyone embraced the fun of learning," Yao recalled. Together, they personified the unity, warmth, and collaborative spirit of young people across the Greater Bay Area.
SYSU students Zhengnuo Yao from Hong Kong, paticipates in the Cantonese workshop.
SYSU volunteers from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao sing the classic song "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" by Beyond.
From medical outreach program to national sporting event, SYSU's volunteer teams demonstrate professionalism, cultural openness, and lasting commitment to public service. Their contributions reflect the growing role of Chinese youth in international volunteerism. As China deepens global cooperation, SYSU volunteers are building essential bridges of understanding, health, and shared progress—linking communities and nations through the power of service.
