From May 20 to 25, Hu Weiwei, Deputy Party Secretary and Vice President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, led a delegation to Japan and the United States at the invitation of alumni associations. The delegation participated in the 13th Jiao Tong University Americas Alumni Summit, the 2025 Annual Meetings of the Michigan and Chicago Alumni Associations, and the 2025 Americas Alumni Networking Session. The team visited alumni in Tokyo, Detroit, Chicago, and Irvine, attended alumni leadership transition events, and visited alumni-founded enterprises in Silicon Valley.
On the evening of May 20, the delegation gathered with alumni representatives in Japan, including Jiang Xiaosong, President of the SJTU Japan Alumni Association, Wu Jun, Executive President, and Shi Yong, President of the Medical Chapter, to jointly envision the future development blueprint of their alma mater.
On the morning of May 21, the delegation visited the University of Tokyo to tour the Intelligent Software Systems Engineering Lab led by SJTU Class of 2009 Computer Science alumnus Ma Lei, who is now a tenured associate professor there. They also held a discussion with young alumni based in Tokyo. During the exchange, Hu Weiwei emphasized that SJTU always cares about the growth and development of every alumnus and encouraged them to continue contributing to China-Japan cultural exchange and the internationalization of their alma mater.
On May 22, the delegation arrived in Chicago to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting of the SJTU Chicago Alumni Association and the inauguration of its 6th Council. Li Cheng was elected as the new Council President, with Li Xun appointed as Secretary-General. Hu Weiwei presented appointment letters to the newly elected council members and held a discussion session with the alumni.
On May 23, the delegation arrived in Irvine. On behalf of the university, Hu Weiwei visited Lu Yan, a 98-year-old alumnus from the Class of 1945, Department of Financial Management. She shared recent developments of their alma mater and listened attentively to Ms. Lu’s valuable suggestions for the university’s future. He Neng, President of the SJTU Foundation of America, and others accompanied the visit.
From May 24 to 25, the delegation joined over 400 alumni representatives of Shanghai Jiao Tong University at the 13th Jiaotong Universities American Alumni Summit, themed "When drinking water, remember the source, Return to simplicity and truth." Zhang Xiaoqing, Chairman of the SJTU Alumni Association of America, and Xie Dong, President of the Association, extended a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to more than 600 alumni and guests from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Xi’an Jiao Tong University, Southwest Jiaotong University, Beijing Jiaotong University, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. The event brought together the Jiaotong community to celebrate shared memories and recognize alumni’s outstanding achievements in technological innovation, industrial advancement, and social progress.
Hu Weiwei, on behalf of the university, presented recent achievements in scientific and technological innovation, as well as key strategic priorities for future disciplinary development and talent cultivation.
The Jiaotong University Americas Alumni Summit began in 1964 and was initiated by alumnus Zhao Zengjue from the Class of 1924. Mr. Zhao Xicheng, an alumnus from the Class of 1946, Honorary Trustee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Chairman of Foremost Group in the United States, is the only alumnus to have attended all 13 summits. He participated in the awards banquet and the fireside forum, encouraging alumni across the Americas to stay united and work toward shared growth. Dr. Zhao Xiaolan Honorary Doctor of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, former U.S. Secretary of Labor and Transportation, and daughter of Mr. Zhao, also attended the forum.
On behalf of her alma mater, Hu Weiwei met warmly with Mr. Chao Hock Ting (Zhao Xicheng), expressing heartfelt wishes and appreciation for his longstanding support. She also shared the university’s recent achievements in scientific innovation, talent development, and internationalization efforts.
On the afternoon of May 24, the delegation attended the 2025 SJTU Americas Alumni Exchange Conference, hosted by the Silicon Valley Alumni Association. Hu Weiwei delivered a university update, while guests and alumni representatives actively shared their thoughts and expressed high hopes for the continued growth and development of their alma mater.
Officials from the Alumni Association Office, the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, and other relevant departments accompanied the delegation.
Written by: Liu Jie and Long Fei
