From October 17 to 18, Beihang University successfully convened the BYD Cup 63rd Faculty and Student Sports Meet across its three campuses in Beijing and Hangzhou.

University Party Secretary Zhao Changlu, Deputy Party Secretaries Liu Shuchun and Cheng Bo, Vice Presidents Lyu Jinhu, Deng Yi, Wu Jianghao, and Yan Xiaojun, and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Cao Jinbin attended the opening ceremony in Beijing. Vice President Zhao Weisheng attended the opening ceremony at the Hangzhou International Campus. The ceremony was presided over by Deng Yi.

This year's sports meet, with the theme "Soaring with Aerospace Patriotism, Embracing Sports at Beihang," saw broad participation from both faculty and students across all university departments, with over 7,000 participants.

The opening ceremony on the morning of October 18 was a spectacle of vitality. A procession of 44 formations, comprising nearly 3,000 faculty and students led by school Party secretaries, deans, and department heads, marched into the venue behind the national and university flags. The synchronized parade demonstrated the unity and cohesion of the university community through coordinated attire and dynamic performances. Robotic dogs and drones accompanied the parade, highlighting Beihang's innovative research culture.

“I declare the 63rd Faculty and Student Sports Meet of Beihang University open!” announced Zhao Changlu, as colored smoke soared above the eastern grounds, symbolizing the event's energy and spirit.

During the ceremony, university leaders presented the 2024-2025 Sports Advanced College Awards—the "Beihang Cup" and "Merit Cup"—to recognize contributions to campus athletics. The School of Aeronautical Science and Engineering and the School of Cyber Science and Technology received the "Beihang Cup," while the School of Electronic and Information Engineering, the School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering, the School of Economics and Management, the School of Aviation, the School of Physics, and the School of New Media Art and Design were awarded the "Merit Cup."

Representatives of referees and athletes took oaths to uphold the principles of fairness, solidarity, and competitive excellence, setting the tone for a successful event.

The opening ceremony also featured dynamic sports and artistic performances by over 1,300 faculty and students, showcasing the university's vibrant sports culture. Highlights included a flag dance and martial arts display by 600 students, a tactical demonstration by the Beihang "Falcon Commando," and a lively cheerleading routine accompanied by quadruped robots developed jointly by the university's Space Robotics Laboratory, the Embodied Intelligence Robotics Institute, and the Beihang Robotics Team. The Beihang Marching Band and choir members performed the stirring piece "Please Review," paying tribute to history and expressing patriotic fervor.

The ceremony culminated with the unfolding of a giant university flag and a chorus of "Ode to the Motherland."

Following the opening events, the sports meet launched with intense competition, starting with a faculty tug-of-war between the School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation and the School of Reliability and Systems Engineering. Track and field events, fun competitions, and aerospace-themed activities got underway in full swing.

Athletes demonstrated determination and skill in sprints, high jumps, and team events, cheered on by enthusiastic audiences. Under clear autumn skies, participants competed with passion and sportsmanship across various disciplines.

The sports meet was hosted by Beihang University, organized by the Department of Sports and the Trade Union, and co-organized by the School of Electronic and Information Engineering. The event commenced on October 17 with a series of track and field events. Various events were also held at the Hangzhou International Campus on October 18, featuring 587 enthusiastic participants from 42 teams.

After fierce competition, awards were presented to the top eight teams in faculty, undergraduate, and postgraduate categories, along with honors for sportsmanship, organization, fun events, and group calisthenics.

Editor: Lyu Xingyun