Liu Minxia

SEVENTEEN companies founded by Shenzhen University students moved into a 690-square-meter structure set aside for them in the Shenzhen High-Tech Industrial Park in Nanshan District on Sunday.

To help students find work, Shenzhen University has spent about 1.5 million yuan (US$220,000) this year financing students willing to start their own businesses and renting properties in the high-tech park to allow students to set up offices rent-free.

Out of 66 projects started by students who are studying or have studied at Shenzhen University, 22 won financial awards, ranging from 30,000 yuan to 80,000 yuan each, from the college and 17 of them moved into the park Sunday. The businesses, involving almost 100 students, include design firms, retail shops, advertising firms and high-tech companies.

The companies will be allowed to use the offices rent=free for a year, according to Yao Kai, director of the college’s student enrollment and employment office.

Pang Haibin, who opened a shop called Beehive selling young designers’ original productions, won the first prize of 80,000 yuan. “It’s not just the money,” said Pang. “Winning the award means we won the recognition of the college, which will help us in many ways, including finding more clients.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Shenzhen University president Zhang Bigong expressed his hopes that the student entrepreneurs could build successful companies like Tencent and Giant Group in the future.