As the golden autumn breeze carried a sense of warmth and nostalgia, nearly 50 alumni from the 1991 class of the Economics and Management Department at South-Central Minzu University (SCMU) gathered from far and wide from October 31 to November 2. Driven by a profound yearning and affection for their alma mater, they embarked on a journey back to campus to relive their youthful memories and engage in discussions about the university's development. They demonstrated with concrete actions a profound sentiment encapsulated by the phrase: "With hearts deeply attached to SCMU, embracing the vastness of the world, and fearlessly riding the waves of the times, we shall live up to the glorious legacy of three decades."
On the afternoon of November 1st, a symposium between teachers and alumni was held at the Academic Exchange Center. Qin Rui, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of SCMU; Ke Zuntao, Director of the Office of Employment and Alumni Affairs; Wen Liang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Management, and Zhai Huayun, Dean of the School of Management; Guo Cong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Economics, and Li Bo, Dean of the School of Economics; Xu Qitao, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Music and Dance; as well as faculty representatives Huang Dehong, Ma Jin, Ma Guoping, and others, engaged in heartfelt conversations with returning alumni, reminiscing about teacher-student camaraderie and jointly deliberating on the university's development strategies.
At the symposium, Qin Rui first delivered a welcome speech. He provided alumni with a detailed introduction to the university from multiple perspectives, including the steady expansion of its educational scale, continuous breakthroughs in disciplinary and program development, abundant achievements in scientific research and innovation, notable improvements in the quality of talent cultivation, ongoing strengthening of faculty development, distinctive features in campus cultural construction, active contributions to social services, and extensive international exchanges. Qin Rui pointed out that after graduating from the 1991 Economics and Management Department, the alumni have either dedicated themselves to serving in ethnic regions or bravely ventured into the tide of reform and opening-up, achieving remarkable accomplishments across various industries. He expressed his hope that the alumni would fully leverage their influence within their respective industries and their extensive social resources to actively facilitate connections in key areas such as disciplinary development, scientific research collaboration, talent recruitment, and student employment at their alma mater, thereby pooling developmental resources and contributing to the high-quality advancement of the university.
Ke Zuntao elaborated on the current philosophy, strategies, and initiatives of the university's alumni affairs. He stated that alumni are the cherished concern of their alma mater, while the university remains a cherished memory for its alumni. The school will continuously refine its alumni work system, improve its alumni engagement mechanisms, and prioritize service to unite alumni from all generations in supporting the university's development, thereby fostering an emotional, developmental, and shared-destiny community between alumni and their alma mater. Relevant leaders and faculty representatives from the School of Management, School of Economics, and School of Music and Dance also extended their warm welcome to the returning alumni and provided an overview of relevant developments.
The participating alumni shared their youthful memories from their time on campus and their growth experiences after graduation, their words brimming with shared gratitude and deep affection for their alma mater. They unanimously expressed that the university's developmental achievements filled them with immense pride, while the institution's developmental needs made them acutely aware of their responsibilities. They pledged to proactively leverage their advantages in industry resources, practical experience, and other areas to provide support for the university's and students' development.
Scene from the symposium. Photo by the Office of Employment and Alumni Affairs
The "Journey of Nostalgia" on campus was exceptionally heartwarming. On the morning of November 1, alumni strolled across the campus, visiting places such as the Ethnology Museum and the teaching buildings where they once attended classes. At the Ethnology Museum, the rich array of ethnic cultural exhibits allowed alumni to revisit and rekindle their understanding and passion for ethnic cultures. Stepping into the familiar teaching buildings, every detail from their past classroom experiences seemed vividly alive. At noon, the "Nostalgia Meal" meticulously prepared by the school cafeteria enabled alumni to savor the familiar flavors from their student days. Each bite not only satisfied their taste buds but also warmed their hearts, allowing them to once again feel the care and warmth of their alma mater through the memories of taste.
Group photo on campus. Photo by the Office of Employment and Alumni Affairs
Visiting the Ethnology Museum. Photo by the Office of Employment and Alumni Affairs
