On November 16th, the 20th-anniversary alumni homecoming event for the School of Journalism and Communication at South China University of Technology (SCUT) took place in Building B9 South on the University Town campus. Alumni from across the country gathered with deep affection for their alma mater, reuniting under the SCUT Journalism and Communication banner to mark two decades of growth, reminisce about their student days, and look ahead to the future.
Reunion with Gratitude and Devotion
Alumni recorded their names and heartfelt messages on a creatively designed sign-in wall and enjoyed interactive games that rekindled memories of their campus years.
· Cai Canmin, from the Class of 2003 (the school’s inaugural graduating cohort), noted how moving it was to meet students from the Class of 2024, encouraging them to value their current learning environment.
· Li Tao, from the Class of 2007, fondly recalled the wonderful times spent at the school and expressed gratitude to the faculty.
· Zheng Zifeng, from the Class of 2016, thanked the school and senior classmates for their support and guidance, voicing optimism for the school’s future development.
Sharing Insights at the Alumni Forum
On the afternoon of the 16th, a symposium for returning alumni representatives was held in Conference Room 307. Joining the meeting were former deans Li Xing and Su Hongyuan, along with several retired faculty members, the school’s current Party Secretary Tan Zhiwei, Dean Chen Gang, Vice Dean Zhang Qingyuan, Assistant Dean Zhou Yu, and head teachers of various graduating classes. The informal and welcoming atmosphere featured an engaging dialogue between the former deans and alumni on the school’s growth and future. The symposium was chaired by School Deputy Secretary Liu Tao.
Li Xing, the first Dean of the School, reflected on the school’s early days when teachers and students worked hand in hand to build a solid foundation. He expressed hope that alumni would continue to care for and support the school’s development, contributing their insight and energy to cultivating students with an international outlook and innovative abilities.
Former Dean Su Hongyuan shared personal stories about learning, work, and life lessons, encouraging alumni to contribute to society while maintaining a healthy work–life balance.
Dean Chen Gang extended a warm welcome to returning alumni on behalf of all faculty and students. He highlighted the school’s advancements in disciplinary development and outlined future directions, inviting alumni to collaborate in expanding the influence of SCUT’s School of Journalism and Communication.
Party Secretary Tan Zhiwei, focusing on the themes of “cherishing,” “touching,” and “responsibility,” noted that alumni are the school’s finest ambassadors. He emphasized the importance of moral education as the core of nurturing outstanding students, urged alumni to seize their youth and boldly forge their own paths, and expressed that the school will continue to be a solid support, hoping alumni return often to visit.
Alumni, in turn, shared how their campus experience laid a foundation for success in the workplace, expressing gratitude to the school for reinforcing their professional, analytical, and innovative competencies. Faculty representatives encouraged them to continue pursuing their goals, looking forward to working together to chart a new path for future aspirations.
During the gathering, school leaders and faculty presented 20th-anniversary badges to alumni, symbolizing the deep ties between the school and its graduates.
Reminiscing on Old Times and Renewing Friendships
Several classes—such as 2004 Editorial and Publishing Class A, 2004 Advertising Class A, 2004 Advertising Class B, and the 2007 Graduate Class—held various reunion activities, sharing experiences from both campus life and professional endeavors. Alumni revisited familiar campus landmarks, recalling their college days and renewing the enduring friendships formed during those years.
United in Forging a New Chapter
School faculty, students, and alumni joined together for the unveiling of three newly established institutions: the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Communication Research Institute, the Guangdong Research Center of Digital Intelligent Precision International Communication, and the AIGC Intelligent Communication Research Institute. This important moment marks a new milestone in the school’s journey.
It is reported that this alumni homecoming event served as a bridge, reconnecting alumni with one another and with the school. By fostering closer ties and in-depth exchanges, the gathering injected fresh momentum into the school’s continued development. After two remarkable decades, time has indeed flown; here’s to many more milestones, and we look forward to our next reunion!
