XJTLU kicks off its first ‘Next Together’ 20th anniversary event

In March, the first event of Next Together – Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s series of alumni events to celebrate its 20th anniversary – kicked off in Wuhan. Co-hosted by XJTLU’s Alumni Affairs Office and its Hubei Alumni Group, the gathering brought together nearly 50 local alumni, alongside university leaders, external mentors and industry partner representatives, for in-depth discussions on talent development and education in the digital intelligence era, as well as alumni growth and future collaboration.

The Hubei Alumni Group

In his opening remarks, Fei Yang, President of the XJTLU Hubei Alumni Group, provided an overview of XJTLU’s alumni community. To date, XJTLU has a global alumni body of around 50,000, and approximately 70% of the alumni are based in first-tier cities and the Yangtze River Delta region. XJTLU currently has 53 official alumni organisations in place, including 42 regional chapters and 10 school-based alumni bodies. In Hubei province, some 140 local alumni are registered.

Fei Yang, President of the XJTLU Hubei Alumni Group

“Twenty years marks merely the beginning for a university. XJTLU’s remarkable achievements today stem from the University’s strategic vision, the dedication of its faculty, and above all, the profound influence exerted by its global alumni across diverse sectors,” Yang remarked.

“The Hubei Alumni Group has already hosted a series of welcome events and industry exchange sessions. Moving forward, it plans to launch industry sharing talks, reading clubs, outdoor gatherings and more. These initiatives aim to help alumni connect more closely, strengthen their bond as a community, and foster a stronger sense of belonging to the University.”

Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU, delivered the event’s keynote speech, focusing on education for the future. He emphasised that the global reach of XJTLU’s alumni represents an invaluable strength for the University.

Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU

Professor Xi shared XJTLU’s ongoing explorations into educational models, noting that the world over the next decade will be a playful world – centred on the spirit of play – and that education should itself become a playful process. In this way, students learn, innovate and grow through play, and every individual can joyfully find meaning and create value through it.

The panel of speakers share their experiences

In the alumni sharing session, alumni from various industries and cohorts recounted their experiences at XJTLU and professional insights from their careers.

Yangyang Heng, a 2011 graduate of XJTLU’s BSc Information Management and Information Systems programme, reflected on her journey from making a cross-disciplinary switch to the real estate industry to returning to the workforce as a mother of two children. She stated that XJTLU had instilled in her not just academic knowledge, but also the resilience to embrace a “learn-as-you-go” mindset and strong logical thinking skills.

Jiyingzi Xu, a 2019 graduate of XJTLU’s MSc Urban Planning programme, said when she first enrolled at the University, she felt uncertain and lacked confidence.  However, XJTLU’s education model helped her build solid professional expertise and cultivated a strong sense of social responsibility. Upon graduation, she pursued further studies in the UK and has since established her career in Wuhan, balancing a role in the public sector with ongoing charitable work. She said XJTLU has given her the courage to forge ahead and the inner resolve to embrace responsibility.

Professor Youmin Xi (right) meets with alumni

Hongli Fan, a 2017 graduate of XJTLU’s BA Business Administration programme, also shared her journey. She followed a unique academic route: starting at XJTLU, advancing her studies at the University of Liverpool and the University of Warwick in the UK, and later becoming a teacher at the Middle School Attached to HUST. She expressed gratitude for the room to explore that XJTLU provided, which helped her grow into a global citizen.

Jiaqi Wang, a 2024 graduate of XJTLU’s MSc Professional Accounting programme, shared his experience as a young professional working as a Financial Analyst at Schneider Electric. He noted that the fast-learning agility he developed at XJTLU enables him to navigate AI-driven changes with confidence, while his critical thinking skills have supported a smooth transition from a student mindset to a professional one.

Dr Qijian Xie, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Centre for Student Affairs, said that although he has worked with students from numerous institutions, XJTLU alumni stand out not only in their dedication to academic and professional growth, but also in their genuine passion for life – reflected in their engagement with fitness, the arts, and volunteer work. This echoes Professor Xi’s educational philosophy: a fulfilling personal life and a successful career are inherently interconnected.

Dr Qijian Xie, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Centre for Student Affairs

Edited by Qiuchen Hu and Patricia Pieterse
Translated by Xueqi Wang
Photos courtesy of XJTLU Alumni Affairs Office