As sea breezes sweep through Dalian this September, the city is charged with the passion of competition and the vitality of youth.
The Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football is now in full swing. To ensure the efficient operation of the tournament, as early as early June this year, the Dalian Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League launched a volunteer recruitment drive. After multiple rounds of selection, a high-caliber volunteer team consisting of over 280 college students was finally formed, drawing members from six local universities and colleges: Dalian University of Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian Jiaotong University, Dalian Ocean University, and Dalian Vocational and Technical College. This team has a warm name —“Little Starfish”.
Today, all these young volunteers have taken up their posts, deployed to key positions including foreign affairs reception, media promotion, security support, competition support, and medical support. They are injecting vigorous momentum into the tournament with the power of youth.
【Six Universities, One Youthful Pledge】
Dalian University of Technology: Contributing Wisdom and Strength with Rigor and Innovation
In this tournament, Dalian University of Technology selected and dispatched 19 volunteers, who are assigned to the Medical Support Department, Media and Publicity Department, Reception Department, and Food and Drug Security Department, sparing no effort to provide services for the smooth progress of the tournament.
Volunteer Work Diary
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Weather: Overcast
Today is my second day of serving the 2025 FISU University World Cup Football, and it is also the much-anticipated day of the opening ceremony. The pick-up task in the morning left me with an especially unforgettable memory – when a reporter from Xinhua News Agency greeted me with a smile, my heart skipped a beat instantly as a student majoring in Journalism and Communication. This was the first time I got up close and personal with practitioners from central media; their professionalism and composure filled me with longing for my future career path.
The opening ceremony in the afternoon impressed me even more. Watching media reporters carrying their professional camera equipment moving around the venue, and scrolling through the real-time updated live broadcasts of the tournament on my phone, I suddenly realized: just a few reporters can let the whole world witness the excitement of this tournament. At that moment, a sense of pride and admiration welled up in my heart, and I also understood that the value of a volunteer lies not only in serving others, but also in drawing closer to one’s passion and clarifying one’s direction through practice. Today, I truly felt the warmth of the media industry, and it has also strengthened my determination to master professional knowledge and contribute to the industry in the future.
——Wang Yuyu, Volunteer of the Media and Publicity Department of the Executive Committee & Student of Dalian University of Technology
Monday, September 15, 2025Weather: Sunny
Today is my first day as a “Little Starfish,” with excitement mixed with a tinge of nervousness—I worried that I might not be competent for the work, and more importantly, that I couldn’t integrate into the team.
Early in the morning, I arrived at the school gate early to wait for the shuttle bus. Unexpectedly, no sooner had I stood still than several volunteers took the initiative to greet me. We talked about everything from campus life to the tournament, and from our majors to hobbies. My initial awkwardness faded away instantly, and we arrived at the workplace amid laughter and chatter.
Today’s task was to receive two teams. The workload was not heavy, but it was full of challenges. Since English was not the daily language of either team, we frequently got stuck during communication. We came up with a clever idea on the spot: when our English was insufficient, we used body language to make up for it; when we couldn’t express ourselves clearly, we resorted to mobile translation apps. After some efforts, the team members not only successfully completed the procedures, but also received timely medical care. Before they left, the leaders of the two teams shook our hands firmly and said “thank you.” This simple expression of gratitude warmed my heart. It turned out that the charm of volunteering never lies in grand gestures, but in the touching moments of exchanging sincerity for sincerity. At this moment, I just want to say: it is truly a blessing to be a volunteer for the 2025 FISU University World Cup Football!
——Yang Luze, Volunteer of the Medical Support Department of the Executive Committee & Student of Dalian University of Technology
Dalian Maritime University：
Embracing inclusiveness, and becoming pioneers of service.
Dalian Maritime University has carefully selected 40 students with strong bilingual proficiency and outstanding comprehensive quality to serve as the “Service Pioneers” for the tournament. Since taking up their posts on September 10, these students, carrying the inclusive spirit of “embracing all rivers” (a core value of Dalian Maritime University), have built a communication bridge for Chinese and foreign guests with their fluent foreign languages and meticulous services, infusing warmth into every reception, offering both professionalism and warmth.
Liaoning Normal University：
With sincerity and professionalism, showcasing the spirit of Dalian.
This summer, 68 “Little Starfish” volunteers from Liaoning Normal University gathered from the School of Physical Education and the School of Foreign Languages. After receiving systematic on-the-job training and mobilization, they headed to the competition venue with full confidence: Volunteers majoring in foreign languages used their fluent language skills to break down communication barriers, allowing international friends to feel Dalian’s enthusiasm. Volunteers majoring in physical education served as “lightning stretcher bearers,” standing by the green field at all times to safeguard the players’ safety with speed and professionalism. In the name of youth, they have polished “Dalian’s name card” with sincerity and expertise, showing the world the demeanor of the young generation from Liaoning Normal University.
Dalian Jiaotong University
Dalian Jiaotong University has established a service team composed of “1 leading teacher + 20 volunteers,” which has undertaken the important responsibility of serving as the “logistics stewards” for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2025 FISU University World Cup Football. Their duties include catering support, route guidance, uniform distribution, and entrance guidance—each task is vital to ensuring the smooth operation of the event.
Faced with the catering and drinking water needs of thousands of people, the volunteers have a clear division of labor and provide efficient supply support. From the faint glow of dawn to the fall of night, they have stuck to their posts without interruption, building a solid “energy defense line” with a strong sense of responsibility. This dedication ensures that every participant can feel the thoughtfulness and reassurance brought by their services.
Dalian Ocean University：
With youthful energy, safeguarding the brilliance of the tournament.
From the anticipation during the application and selection process in June to the determination of sticking to their posts now, the youth footprints of 36 volunteers from Dalian Ocean University have spread to every corner of the 2025 FISU University World Cup Football. They serve as “venue guardians”: In competition-related positions, they keep a close eye on the details of procedures to ensure the smooth progress of the tournament; in support positions, they patiently answer questions and provide assistance to the audience. Every focused gaze and every moment of tacit cooperation is proof of how they safeguard the excitement of the tournament with their youthful vitality.
Dalian Vocational and Technical College:
“By putting their professional skills into action, young volunteers are proving the responsibility and vitality of today’s youth.”
At the opening ceremony on September 17, 30 volunteers from Dalian Vocational and Technical College served as the “flag bearers” – they held their heads high, carrying the flags of the home and away teams, as well as the flags of FISU (International University Sports Federation) and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). They marched steadily under the gaze of the entire audience, spreading the friendship and unity of sports to every corner.
In the subsequent 39 matches, they took on an even more important role as “field guardians”: Under the scorching sun, stretcher bearers stood by at all times, ready to safeguard the players’ safety at the first moment; by the green field, ball boys cooperated attentively to ensure every pass went smoothly and without error. Unfazed by wind or rain, they stuck to their posts throughout. The 81 volunteers from Dalian Vocational and Technical College have proven with their actions that the responsibility of young people in the new era lies in every bit of earnestness and perseverance.
They are youthful figures moving through the tournament venue,
warm bridges connecting China and the world,
and solid forces safeguarding the smooth running of the event.
When the sea breeze blows across Dalian’s green football fields, and when applause resounds through every corner of the venue, these young “Little Starfish” have long etched their youthful marks into the beautiful memories of the 2025 FISU University World Cup Football. And this story of passion, responsibility and growth will become the most precious medal in their youth, shining forever.
29 Sep
