From May 18th to 27th, 2024, Ansheng Zhang, member of the Standing Committee of CPC Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) Committee and Vice President of SJTU, led a delegation to France, Sweden, and Germany, attended the taking-over meeting of the councils of the three overseas alumni associations, and visited the local alumni in Paris, Gothenburg, Lund, and Munich, also they visited a number of famous overseas universities and multinational corporations, the Consulate General of China in Gothenburg, and so on. Houji Wang, member of the Standing Committee of CPC SJTU Committee, president of the Overseas Friendship Association and president of the Alumni Association, as well as teachers from the General Alumni Association Office and SJTU-Paris Elite Institute of Technology, gathered with alumni from all over Europe to promote the development of the alma mater's overseas business.
From May 18 to 27, 2024, Ansheng Zhang, member of the Standing Committee of CPC Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) Committee and Vice President of SJTU, led a university delegation on official visits to France, Sweden, and Germany. The group attended leadership transitions for alumni associations in all three countries and met with SJTU alumni in cities including Paris, Gothenburg, Lund, and Munich. The delegation also visited top universities, multinational companies, and the Chinese Consulate General in Gothenburg. Houji Wang, another Standing Committee member and President of the SJTU Alumni Association and Overseas Friendship Association, joined the delegation, along with representatives from the Alumni Association Office and ParisTech-SJTU.
On the morning of May 19, the SJTU delegation joined a forum in Paris titled "Yangtze River Delta & Overseas Chinese Innovation Collaboration Exchange," jointly hosted with the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Federation. Alumni and representatives from local Chinese associations and universities also participated.
That same afternoon, the France Alumni Association held its 5th Council election meeting, attended by nearly 40 alumni. Outgoing President Huaming Jin welcomed attendees and reviewed the previous council's work. Ansheng Zhang and Houji Wang presented awards to distinguished contributors from the outgoing council and issued appointment letters to the new council: Weiyuan Xu (President), Yu Zhang (Executive President), and Tong Zhao (Secretary-General). On behalf of the new council, Xu expressed gratitude to SJTU and pledged to maintain close ties with the university by host engaging alumni events.
The following day (May 20), the delegation visited École Polytechnique and met SJTU students studying in France. In the afternoon, they toured Dassault Systèmes and held discussions with alumni working there to better understand their career development and work environments.
On the morning of May 21st, the delegation met with Denis-Rémis, Vice President of Université Paris Sciences et Lettres, to explore potential cooperation in entrepreneurship, alumni engagement, and joint training programs. They also visited Huawei France and Schneider Electric, where they discussed internships, local employment opportunities, international research collaboration, and global talent pipelines.
On May 22, the delegation arrived in Sweden and visited the Chinese Consulate-General in Gothenburg, where Consul General Peidong Yang provided an overview of Sino-Swedish cooperation in education and technology. The group then met with alumni working at Volvo and toured the Volvo Museum. That same evening, they attended a reception hosted by the Consulate-General.
On May 23, the delegation visited Lund University and met with Richard Stenelo, Director of International Affairs, to explore student exchange, dual-degree programs, staff development, and alumni relations. In the afternoon, they toured NorrDia AB, a medical company led by an SJTU alumnus, and discussed its development plans and collaborative opportunities. During the evening, the Sweden Alumni Association held its second Council election meeting in Lund. Nearly 40 alumni from Sweden and Denmark attended. Speakers included:
- Li Ling, the outgoing President who welcomed the guests and expressed thanks to SJTU and alumni
- Ruiyu Lin, who reviewed the council's achievements
- Yu-Ting Cui, Science Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Sweden
- Xiaojian Li, Deputy Consul General in Gothenburg
- Houji Wang, who shared updates on SJTU's alumni work
Zhang and Wang issued appointment letters to the new council: Li Ling (President) and Ruiyu Lin (Secretary-General). Alumni Daihua Jiang and Juntao Chen shared personal stories. Zhang concluded the event by encouraging alumni to stay connected and continue sharing good news from the university.
On May 24, the delegation traveled to Germany and visited the Technical University of Munich, where they met with SJTU students and alumni.
That afternoon, the Germany Alumni Association held its 5th Council election meeting, attended by nearly 40 alumni. Outgoing President Haiyang Xu shared updates from the previous term. Zhang and Wang presented awards to outstanding alumni and issued appointment letters to the new council: Xinliang Feng (President), Haiyang Xu (Executive President), Shuni Zhang (Secretary-General), and Ming Tang (Advisor). Feng delivered a video message thanking the university and expressing enthusiasm for organizing more alumni events. Hao Yu, Haiyang Xu, and Xiao Xu shared insights during a panel discussion. Zhang wrapped up the meeting by encouraging the alumni to stay engaged, enhance record-keeping and networking, and work together for mutual growth.
On May 25, the group visited the SJTU Germany Center (hereinafter referred to as the German Center) for academic and cultural exchange, a joint initiative with the Chinese Ministry of Education and the German Association for Science and Technology Promotion. The German Center aims to serve SJTU alumni, support internationalization, and strengthen Sino-German education ties. It was founded through a collaborative effort between SJTU, the Center for School Development and Planning of Ministry of Education and the German Society for the Promotion of Education, Science and Technology.
That afternoon, the Germany Alumni Association held its 5th Council election meeting, attended by nearly 40 alumni. Outgoing President Haiyang Xu shared updates from the previous term. Zhang and Wang presented awards to outstanding alumni and issued appointment letters to the new council: Xinliang Feng (President), Haiyang Xu (Executive President), Shuni Zhang (Secretary-General), and Ming Tang (Advisor). Feng delivered a video message thanking the university and expressing enthusiasm for organizing more alumni events. Hao Yu, Haiyang Xu, and Xiao Xu shared insights during a panel discussion. Zhang wrapped up the meeting by encouraging the alumni to stay engaged, enhance record-keeping and networking, and work together for mutual growth.
During the visit, to further unite overseas alumni, support their career development, and promote their professional growth, leaders from SJTU, together with representatives from three overseas alumni associations, jointly unveiled the plaques for the new Alumni Centers in France, Sweden, and Germany, following the official launch of the Alumni Center in Singapore. 
About the SJTU Alumni Association in France
Founded in Paris in 2011, the France Alumni Association is now in its fifth term. The current council includes President Weiyuan Xu, Executive President Yu Zhang, and Secretary-General Tong Zhao. With over 600 registered members, the association focuses on alumni services, university outreach, and promoting China-France exchange. It has launched several signature events such as "Afterwork," "Alexis Tour," and "Parrainage."
About the SJTU Alumni Association in Sweden
Established in Lund in 2019, the Sweden Alumni Association is currently led by President Li Ling and Secretary-General Ruiyu Lin. It has connected with over 100 alumni and hosts a variety of events such as welcome mixers and talent networking sessions. It also actively supports activities hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Sweden.
About the SJTU Alumni Association in Germany
Founded in Mannheim in 2012, the Germany Alumni Association is now in its fifth term with Xinliang Feng as President, Haiyang Xu as Executive President, and Shuni Zhang as Secretary-General. With nearly 400 registered members, the association plays a key role in supporting and co-hosting SJTU-related events in Germany, including academic exchanges, official visits, study-abroad programs, and commemorative occasions. Additionally, it actively promotes collaboration between the SJTU Alumni Association in Germany and research institutions, as well as other nonprofit and public interest organizations.
Text by: Ziwen Ren
Photography: Alumni from France, Sweden, and Germany
