On the afternoon of September 13, the third council election meeting of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) New Zealand Alumni Association was held in Auckland. Ansheng Zhang, Member of the CPC SJTU Committee and Vice President of SJTU, extended his congratulations and conveyed greetings and thanks on behalf of the university. The event was also attended by Liqiang Zhang, Deputy Director of the SJTU Alumni Association Office; Jie Liu, Director of the Alumni Liaison and Services Department; and Professor Aiguo Hu, Founding President of the Xi’an Jiaotong University New Zealand Alumni Association.

The meeting was chaired by Yihua Wang, Secretary-General of the second council, who also delivered the council’s work report. Wang introduced the association’s achievements in uniting alumni, mainly in organizational development and the strengthening of ties with alma mater. Through a variety of alumni events, the association has sparked enthusiasm and encouraged networking amongst alumni.

Thanks to the efforts of nine key alumni organizers, the third SJTU New Zealand Alumni Association Council was officially formed after extensive self-nominations and peer recommendations. Peng Cao was re-elected as President, and Yihua Wang was re-elected as Secretary-General. Liqiang Zhang presented appointment certificates to the newly elected council members.

In his address, Peng Cao first expressed heartfelt thanks to the university and fellow alumni for their trust and support. He stated that he would work together with the new council to better unite and serve the SJTU alumni in New Zealand. He also pledged to contribute to the university’s internationalization and inter-university cooperation efforts.

Liqiang Zhang also passed along warm greetings from the university’s leadership and gave a talk titled “Honoring the Past, Creating the Future Together.” Zhang gave alumni a brief rundown of recent progress at SJTU—including improvements in talent development, faculty recruitment, campus upgrades, and research breakthroughs. He also took the opportunity to thank alumni for their ongoing support over the years.

Many alumni voiced pride after hearing about the university’s rapid growth, with several pledging to do their part to support SJTU’s goal of becoming a world-class university.

In the following morning (September 14), the association paired its 2024 annual meeting with an outdoor family-friendly gathering. Nearly 40 alumni, along with their children and family members, joined the event. Alumni took the chance to catch up on each other’s lives and careers, while also sharing ideas for SJTU’s 130th anniversary, its growth plans, and potential collaborations with New Zealand universities.

From September 7 to 12, a delegation from the SJTU Alumni Association Office visited Hong Kong and Australia for outreach and exchange. They held in-depth discussions with key alumni about the upcoming leadership transition for the Hong Kong Alumni Association and preparations for the establishment of the Australian Alumni Association. During the visit, they met with senior alumni and SJTU graduates working at universities such as the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, Victoria University, Monash University, and Swinburne University of Technology. The team also toured alumni-run labs and student innovation centers to better understand their achievements and ongoing work.

【About the SJTU Alumni Association in New Zealand】

The SJTU Alumni Association in New Zealand (SJTU AANZ) officially got its start in Auckland on October 13, 2018. The current third-term President is Peng Cao, and Yihua Wang continues to serve as Secretary-General. The group has built a network of over 100 alumni across New Zealand, whether they’re working, studying, or living there long-term.

Over the past six years, the association has served as a key link between the university and its New Zealand alumni community. Thanks to the work of successive councils, it has organized fun and meaningful events, bringing alumni together, and keeping the SJTU spirit alive abroad. The association also plays a crucial role in supporting the university’s international outreach and partnerships.

Author: Jie Liu