In April, when flowers are in full bloom and spring is in the air, a deep sense of gratitude brings people together once again. On April 6, Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s 130th Anniversary “Alumni Homecoming Day” took place as scheduled. More than 50 alumni from the Paris Elite Institute of Technology returned to their alma mater from across the world, gathering with faculty and students to renew their shared bond and discuss the Institute’s future development.
In the morning, the main ceremony of the Global Alumni Homecoming Day of Shanghai Jiao Tong University was grandly held at the Huo Yingdong Sports Center on the Minhang Campus. The President of the university, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ding Kuiling, delivered a keynote report titled “Drawing Strength from the Past, Advancing Toward the Future, and Composing a New Chapter Together.” He comprehensively reviewed the university’s 130-year history, systematically elaborated on its strategic vision, and fully demonstrated SJTU’s mission and determination to move forward into the future.
In the afternoon, the Alumni Reunion of the SJTU Paris Elite Institute of Technology and the First Preparatory Meeting of its Alumni Association were successfully held. Party Secretary Xiong Zhenhua, Vice Dean Zhong Shengyi, Deputy Party Secretary Lü Jiangying, Director of Academic Affairs Li Junyan, Director of Student Affairs Liu Jing, and Alumni & Career Development Officer Yang Mingming gathered with more than 50 alumni representatives. Together, they reminisced about their youth and jointly envisioned a new chapter for alumni work and institutional development.
Xiong Zhenhua provided a comprehensive introduction to the Institute’s development history and achievements. He systematically reviewed key milestones since its establishment in 2012 and showcased the Institute’s breakthroughs in multiple areas, including Sino-French integrated engineering education, the development of an international faculty team, the “Descartes Class” for top-tier talent cultivation, research platform construction, upgraded university-industry cooperation, expanded international partnerships, talent training outcomes, and the construction of the new Sino-French building. He emphasized that the Institute will continue to focus on cultivating outstanding engineers and expressed the hope that alumni would frequently return and work together to promote high-quality development.
Yu Haobo, a representative of the Class of 2015 alumni, noted that this gathering carries three layers of profound identity recognition. First, as practitioners of the SJTU spirit, alumni embody pragmatism, innovation, and responsibility, which guide them to move forward courageously in public service, technological innovation, and international cooperation. Second, as beneficiaries of the Sino-French educational model, the Institute’s French-style generalist engineering training system and close-knit alumni culture provide strong support for student development, while the alumni mentoring system builds bridges for cross-cultural career exchange and knowledge sharing. Third, as creators of the Institute’s values, alumni benefit from solid foundations in mathematics and science, an international perspective, critical thinking, innovative spirit, and resilience—qualities that form the core confidence in their pursuit of dreams. Their achievements across various fields have become the most vivid representation of the Institute. He also mentioned that this year marks the 130th anniversary of SJTU and the 14th anniversary of the Institute, with “13” and “14” symbolizing a lifelong bond between alumni and their alma mater. He expressed his wish for the Alumni Association to become a warm and supportive spiritual home in the future.
Zhong Shengyi announced the list of alumni mentors paired with current students. Many outstanding alumni were matched with students to provide experience sharing, resource connections, and academic and career guidance, thereby establishing a long-term mechanism for alumni engagement in talent cultivation and helping students clarify their paths and grow steadily.
Xiong Zhenhua, Zhong Shengyi, Lü Jiangying, and alumni representative Yu Haobo jointly unveiled the Career Development Association. The “SPEIT Career Development Association” was officially established, marking a new stage in the Institute’s career development and collaboration among the Institute, enterprises, and alumni. In the future, it will work in synergy with the Alumni Association to build a platform connecting the Institute, companies, alumni, and students, supporting full-cycle career development.
Lü Jiangying delivered a special report on the preparatory work for the Alumni Association. She introduced the current progress of alumni work, explained the procedures for establishing the association, outlined its organizational structure and preparation timeline, and clarified the work plan, founding announcement, charter, and proposed council members. The Alumni Association is scheduled to be officially established during the Institute’s 15th anniversary, further consolidating alumni strength. It will focus on four major directions: alumni connection and services, branding of signature activities, alumni contribution to education, and coordination of university-enterprise resources. The goal is to build a platform for communication and sharing, and to create a warm, dynamic, and influential alumni community.
During the open discussion session, alumni representatives actively offered suggestions and engaged in in-depth exchanges on topics such as the development of the Alumni Association and the creation of branded activities. The atmosphere was lively and harmonious. Alumni expressed their expectations for an efficient communication platform that would facilitate cross-industry and cross-cohort information sharing and interaction, further strengthening alumni connections. They unanimously agreed to fully support the establishment of the Alumni Association, carry forward the Institute’s spirit, deepen resource collaboration, and promote mutual development and win-win outcomes for both the Institute and its alumni.
After the meeting, a special “face-to-face” afternoon tea session was set for alumni and current students. Alumni and students sat together for open discussions, covering topics such as academic studies, research practice, international exchange, career planning, and industry trends. In a relaxed and warm atmosphere, experiences were shared and bonds were strengthened, further narrowing the distance between alumni and students and allowing the Institute’s tradition and warmth to continue through interaction.
Throughout the day, a homecoming fair was set up on the first floor of the Institute, featuring six themed booths that were both engaging and popular, attracting many alumni. Participants received exclusive alumni passports at the check-in area and collected commemorative stamps; at the “Time Archive Hall,” they revisited campus memories and wrote messages for the future. Alumni mentors provided on-site consultation and career guidance, while a global alumni map was illuminated with participants’ footprints. French-themed experiences such as fragrance identification and crêpe workshops allowed alumni to enjoy interactive activities and culinary delights while experiencing the rich Sino-French cultural atmosphere and reliving the warmth and romance of the Institute.
This alumni reunion further strengthened alumni connections, deepened bonds between faculty and students, and clarified the direction of alumni work. Looking ahead, the Paris Elite Institute of Technology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University will continue to improve its alumni work system, deepen its distinctive features of Sino-French integrated education, and strive to cultivate outstanding engineering talents with both a strong sense of social responsibility and global competence. With higher-quality educational achievements, the Institute will contribute to the celebration of SJTU’s 130th anniversary and to the internationalization of higher education and national technological innovation.