1,238 Shenzhen Polytechnic University volunteers assist with the Shenzhen Marathon.

On December 1, 2024, the Shenzhen Marathon kicked off. A total of 1,238 volunteers from Shenzhen Polytechnic University, known as "Little Doves," took on key roles such as starting line commands, guiding at the main venue, registration, race track hydration stations, and timing and video recording. They provided essential volunteer services to ensure the smooth running of this year's marathon. This marks the ninth year that Shenzhen Polytechnic University volunteers have supported the event, showcasing the students' excellent spirit and their active participation in the construction of Shenzhen as a "Volunteer City."

Our students volunteer at the starting line.

Under the Stars, "Little Doves" Protect the Marathon

The marathon began promptly at 7:30 AM, but Shenzhen Polytechnic University’s 1,238 volunteers and 19 team leaders arrived as early as 5:00 AM to prepare. In order to ensure everyone was ready for their shifts on time, key volunteers had already distributed meals and supplies several days in advance, coordinated with the organizing committee staff to arrange 30 transportation vehicles, and handled personnel coordination. By 4:00 AM, the volunteers, dressed in uniform white shirts, lined up and departed on time.

Our students offer guidance and assist at water stations at the main venue.

Once on the job, the "Little Doves" demonstrated excellent volunteer qualities in terms of their spirit, service standards, and overall professionalism. "Although I've volunteered at the marathon once before, I still worked hard to secure a spot this year. The excitement I feel at the starting line is still the same," said Nong Youyou, a student from the School of Undergraduate Education. This is her second year participating in volunteer work for the Shenzhen Marathon. "This year, my perspective is different. I can share my service experience with the younger students and help them understand the work better," she added. Many volunteers expressed their pride and sense of honor in serving at the event.

Training and Building a Professional Volunteer Team

To ensure the success of this volunteer service, the university began publicity and recruitment efforts in early November, attracting over 5,400 applicants. After a selection process, 1,238 outstanding volunteers were chosen to participate. The university also made sure to match volunteers with roles that suited their professional backgrounds and skills, allowing them to apply their expertise and improve service quality.

To enhance the quality of service, the university invited guest speakers from the organizing committee to provide general training for volunteers, helping both faculty and students understand the overall event and the necessary etiquette and medical support during the marathon. The university's Youth League Committee developed various documents, including the "Shenzhen Polytechnic University 2024 Shenzhen Marathon Volunteer Recruitment Plan," "Marathon Event Volunteer Service Standards," and the "2024 Shenzhen Marathon Volunteer Knowledge Handbook" to help volunteers prepare and standardize their service.

A University of Volunteers, Ready for the Next Challenge

After 13 years of building a "Volunteer University," Shenzhen Polytechnic University has established a "1+3+10" volunteer service model. With Party building as the lead, the university integrates "Party building + Youth League building + Professional development," while following a "ten-fold mechanism" for volunteer work. This model has helped the university’s volunteer services become more scaled, normalized, and professional. Currently, 98% of students at the university are registered as volunteers. Next year, the university will play a key role in volunteer services for the 15th National Games and the Special Olympics, with over 2,000 volunteers expected to shine at the events.

Volunteer Team Group Photo

From the Universiade to the Shenzhen Marathon, the BWF World Championships, and the upcoming National Games and Special Olympics, participating in volunteer service has become a mandatory course for every Shenzhen Polytechnic University student. The campus has cultivated a strong atmosphere of volunteerism, motivating more of the university’s youthful energy to contribute to the development of city-wide civility.

(Written by the Youth League Committee: Huang Lulu; Photos by School of Economics: Qu Rui; School of Undergraduate Education: Liu Genzhu; School of Business and Foreign Languages: Zhou Chaoqun; Media Center: Li Jinhong)