To commemorate the official establishment of Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU), a large installation named “1034” was officially unveiled on October 17. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Prof. Ruan Shuangchen, president of SZTU and Prof. Xu Gang, vice president of SZTU, as well as other representatives of the faculty and students.

Installation “1034” [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]

The number “1034” marks the period from January 31, 2016, when the decision of founding SZTU was made by Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee, to November 30, 2018, when SZTU was officially set up under the approval of Ministry of Education. Designed by Prof. Huo Yuda from College of Creative Design, “1034” is 12.38 meters tall with a marking line of 10.34-meter height. The surface of the installation records the timeline of SZTU’s development from scratch, and the inside was engraved with the names of 1,813 students in the first three grades at SZTU. Made of weathering steel, the installation boasts unique color and texture, exuding peculiar artistic charm.

The unveiling ceremony of Installation “1034” is held. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]

As an emerging university in Shenzhen, SZTU is determined to be a trailblazer and explorer of universities of applied sciences in China. According to the designer, “1034” was inspired by the bamboo shoot which represents new life and hope. It symbolizes that SZTU is growing vigorously with unlimited possibilities like the bamboo shoots after raining and delivers the hope that the students of SZTU will possess unyielding spirit with great fortitude, be determined to behave with ingenuity and integrity, and become hard-working talents in reform and innovation.

Prof. Ruan Shuangchen gives a brief speech on the unveiling ceremony. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]

Prof. Ruan Shuangchen reviewed the founding process of SZTU and extended gratitude to the students and their parents, and all the faculty members engaged, including all foreign teachers. Thanks to their joint efforts and painstaking work, the university has gone through difficulties in the past 1,034 days and produced fruitful results today. He also stressed the inspirational keynote address delivered by President Xi Jinping on the 40th anniversary gathering of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which encourages constant reform and opening-up. SZTU keeps putting the spirit of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone into practice by innovating talent training model and persists with the goal of cultivating highly qualified engineers, designers and actuaries, and providing students with more opportunities to innovate and practice. Prof. Ruan expected the faculty and students of SZTU to make greater efforts against difficulties in the future.

Representing the faculty members, Liu Liwen, head of Human Resources, and Zeng Siyu, head of International Cooperation & Student Affairs, felt honored to be engaged in the founding process of SZTU and emphasized the pioneering and indomitable spirit of the faculty and students who contributed to the successful establishment of SZTU, which is also a miniature of the development of Shenzhen SEZ. Holger Haldenwang, dean of Business School, and Franz Raps, dean of College of Urban Transportation and Logistics, highlighted the special significance of the landmark. Prof. Franz believed “1034” can connotate different meanings from personal perspectives. Prof. Holger said “1034” made of weathering steel with a protective layer represents that students on campus are well safeguarded by the university and SZTU will embrace a brighter future.

Drafted by Olivia（赖丽伟）/ International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office

Edited by International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office