On the morning of October 17, a ceremony was held at Guangzhou University's College of Municipal Works and Construction to mark the commencement of a three-year program for 44 deaf students. This also marked the first intake of deaf students by a higher-education institution in Guangdong.

Zhou Meixin, Executive Vice Dean of the College, stated that to prepare for the program, the College had started training teachers in sign language during the summer break, and that the university's Communist Youth League and Student Union had also a team of volunteers, who would learn the sign language and share dorm rooms with their deaf fellow students to assist them in cope with studies and campus life.

A total of 31 volunteer students, most of whom are second- or third-year students, have been recruited. One volunteer shares one dorm room with three deaf students to provide assistance.

Also at the ceremony, the Guangdong Association of People with Disabilities donated a fund of RMB 600,000 to the College for the purchase of educational equipment for the deaf students.