On October 28, 2017, nearly 400 Tianjin University alumni representatives from 122 alumni associations all over the world gathered in Hunan to celebrate the 11th World Alumni Congress of Tianjin University.
Hong Kong alumni representative Zheng Junjian is the eldest alumnus among the people present who graduated in 1948 and now is 90 years old. He said, "For me, I had the honor for eleven consecutive attendance to our World Alumni Congress for thirty years since the first congress held in 1988 in San Francisco." He expressed his wish that Tianjin University could make greater success and develop into a world-class and world-renowned university. "I am still thinking, as a member of the Hong Kong Alumni Association, what can I do for my alma mater? What is our mission in the new era?" he added. In his view, long-term stability in Hong Kong and Macao is the aspiration of all Chinese people. Tianjin University alumni in Hong Kong should take the historical mission, and forge ahead with people of the whole country to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Zhang Yuanlong, a 1978 alumnus, reviewed Tianjin University's motto of "Seeking Truth From Facts" and hoped to carry forward the honor of the alma mater, Tianjin University. He said, "Tianjin University alumni are the greatest treasure of Tianjin University! Dear fellows, we should remember that at the time of knowledge update and innovation and entrepreneurship, Tianjin University is our first choice."
The Belgian alumni representative, 1979 alumnus Song Zhiwei said, "When I wore the badge of Tianjin University in 1979, I thought that the relationship between my alma mater and me was the mother-child relationship. I didn't expect that the place I work and live would be thousands of miles away from my alma mater. While I am always proud that I am a child of Tianjin University." He expressed affectionately that every time he met an alumnus, he felt as if he saw a family member. And every time he returned homeland he would visit alumnus Yuan Guolin, listening to him telling the stories about Tianjin University people dedicating youth and wisdom for the country. He always feels deeply proud of being a member of them. As an oversea alumnus, he is proud of China’s prosperity, and also thinks about the role of China's first-class universities play in the process of internationalization of China. "We are full of energy and enthusiasm, hoping to give full play to our University’s strength in the process of China’s development and make contributions for Tianjin University to become a world-class university."
No matter the alumnus is old or new, unfamiliar or acquainted, everyone will call each other “classmate” when meeting and intimately talk about the common topics in memory of his or her schooldays at Tianjin University including the dining halls, the movies in Qiushi Theater and the playground they played football together. Hua Zepeng, a 1949 alumnus said that he was deeply impressed by the spirit of hard working of students at Tianjin University, which has inspired and influenced him in his study and work. He also expressed his hope to the young generations: “You should pursue knowledge earnestly, remember our university spirit and motto, be strict with yourself and try to be a student with all-round development. After you graduate, you should also keep the good style into your work.”
Yuan Guolin, a 1957 alumnus believed, "No matter how old we are, we are always students for our alma mater, and we all have fond memories and wonderful memories of our schooldays. In the college entrance examination 60 years ago, I chose Tianjin University, which means I chose the honor of history. I would pursue it for the lifetime and never regret. I chose Tianjin University which means I chose to be a doer to develop our country, and the life value of "To do great things, not for being a high official".
Party Secretary of Tianjin University Li Jiajun stated in his speech that Tianjin University is in the important historical opportunity of national development. We should remain true to our original aspiration, work hard and forge ahead with the great dream of the national rejuvenation. More than 200 thousand alumni at home and abroad are playing active roles in various fields of politics, economy, science and technology, education, and culture. They work hard on their jobs, as a part of Tianjin University making contributions to the national rejuvenation and win glory for their alma mater. Our alma mater is proud of you! Together with you, our alma mater will develop into a world-class university with Chinese characteristics, to strive for the Chinese dream and people’s yearning for better life!
Editor: Sun Xiaofang
