The exhibition was unveiled on 23 March last weekend. It aims to call on all sectors of society to care for teenagers with Down syndrome and enhance public understanding and support for this special group. 

At the opening ceremony, Professor Tao Wu, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, expressed a warm welcome to the participants in his speech. He said that UNNC has always been committed to creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment. “I hope that this exhibition can build a bridge of communication, let more people know about young people with mental disabilities, and promote social inclusion and diversity.”

This exhibition is curated by staff and students of the Architecture programme in UNNC, with the support of Lemon Tree students. Paintings, hand-made dessert and other artworks created by the Down Syndrome students are displayed in the exhibition. Ms. Peihong Tang, Vice Chairman of the Yinzhou District Disabled Persons' Federation, said that this exhibition increased the social awareness of the people with disabilities and improved their cultural life.

The joint exhibition also showcased the design of special schools by architecture students for people with Down syndrome. Ms. Weiqin Zhou, the person in charge of the Lemon Tree also a mother of a Down syndrome child, mentioned in her speech that UNNC architecture students have shown their love and creativity in these designs. She sincerely hopes that "one day in the future our students can live in such a beautiful space."

At the event, the wonderful performances by UNNC students and Lemon Tree students attracted the attention of the audience. Both sides of the students have shown their talents and enthusiasm. The open and inclusive campus culture of the University was well explained in this event.

Dr Wu Deng, Head of the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, highly recognised this event: "The significance of education is not only about teaching knowledge, but also a sense of social responsibility to students. I am very happy to see architecture students spreading love and hope through design, and look forward to more such exhibitions in the future."

“As an architect, we share the social responsibility to care for the minority group of people. When we got to the project, we gained a profound understanding of their life. They have the curiosity and passion to explore the new world and they are such a lovely and talented group. I hope through this exhibition, the public could get a better picture of the people with Down syndrome,” said Dr Jun Lu, the initiator and curator of the exhibition.

Dr Yu-Ting Tang, FoSE representative of UNNC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, expressed her praise for the design works of the architecture students: "The students' designs demonstrate the concepts of equality, diversity and inclusion of the University. I am very happy to see our students can use the knowledge they learned in the class to solve problems in people’s lives and help people with disabilities live a better life."

The exhibition will last until 29 March. Students and staff are all welcome to pay a visit to the atrium of PMB.