On September 28^th, “Together We Shape the World” Shenzhen University 40^th Anniversary Gala and International Student Alumni Association Inauguration Ceremony was held in the Alumni Square of Yuehai Campus. Zhang Xueji, Vice President of SZU, Lu Lin, Deputy Secretary-General of Shenzhen Universiade International Scholarship Foundation (SUISF), Han Shuixian, Director of International Office of SZU, Ke Xiao, Secretary of the Youth League Committee of SZU, Zhu Xiaoyang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the SZU Community, Luo Shaowu, Deputy Director of the Student Affairs Office of SZU, as well as the leaders of the College of International Exchange, alumni representatives, faculty members and students, totaling more than 300 people, attended the event. Pan Yanchun, Dean of the College of International Exchange, hosted the ceremony.

Vice President Zhang Xueji delivering speech

First, Vice President Zhang Xueji delivered a welcome speech. He warmly welcomed the international student alumni to return to Shenzhen University on the occasion of     the 40^th anniversary and introduced the achievements of SZU in cultivating international students, building overseas campuses, and enhancing international reputation and influence during the past years. He pointed out that SZU has always attached great importance to the internationalization of the university and paid close attention to the development of international student alumni, and expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding achievements of alumni working all around the world. In the coming future, the Shenzhen University International Student Alumni Association will regularly organize various activities to provide a platform for alumni to communicate and develop. Finally, Vice President Zhang Xueji hoped that alumni can serve as senior role models to provide guidance for more outstanding international students to get acquainted with each other, and play an important role in the promotion of intercultural communication.

Dean of CIE Pan Yanchun hosting the event

Alumni representative Saddam Aziz delivering speech

Saddam Aziz, a graduate of the College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering from Pakistan, spoke as a representative of the international student alumni.       He expressed warm congratulations on the 40^th anniversary of Shenzhen University, and sincere gratitude to all faculty members for their dedication. He said that the wonderful time he spent at SZU has left an indelible imprint on his life, and now he is extremely excited and proud to see the development and achievements of his alma mater. The    establishment of the Shenzhen University International Student Alumni Association will surely better unite alumni together in the future.

Shenzhen University International Student Alumni Association Inauguration Ceremony

Appointment Ceremony of the Shenzhen University International Student Alumni Association Organizing Committee Members

Afterwards, Zhang Xueji, Vice President of SZU, Han Shuixian, Director of International Office of SZU, Pan Yanchun, Dean of CIE, Ke Xiao, Secretary of the Youth League Committee of SZU, Luo Shaowu, Deputy Director of the Student Affairs Office of SZU, Qin Qing, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of CIE, and six international student alumni representatives unveiled the plaque of the Shenzhen University International Student Alumni Association together. Five international student alumni, including Saddam Aziz, Shin Moon-sub, Pooneh Dabiri, Vitorovic Filip, and Yang Hanson, were appointed as members of the Alumni Association Organizing Committee.

Deputy Secretary-General of SUISF Lu Lin delivering speech and awarding scholarship certificates to the students

After the Alumni Association Inauguration Ceremony, the 40^th Anniversary Gala officially began. This time, a special session was set up for the awarding of scholarship certificates to students sponsored by the Shenzhen Universiade International Scholarship Foundation. In 2023, a total of 31 international students from Shenzhen University received the scholarship. Lu Lin, Deputy Secretary-General of SUISF, awarded scholarship certificates to the students and encouraged them to continue seeking knowledge and pursuing their dreams in the new journey.

Group photo of scholarship recipients

Divided into three chapters of “Co-sharing”, “Co-integrating” and “Co-creating”, the gala included Chinese music ensemble, recitation with music, hanfu fashion show, Peking Opera, song and dance performances, which brought the audience an audio-visual feast of the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures.

Performances by Shengxi Folk Music Troupe of the SZU Art Troupe

Shengxi Folk Music Troupe of the SZU Art Troupe performed the Chinese music ensemble “March of the Elephant King” with Chinese drum, guzheng, erhu, pipa, and bamboo flute.

Highlights from the Gala

Since the Mid-Autumn Festival was around the corner, Sae-wang Phurin from Thailand recited a classic Chinese poem “Prelude to Water Melody”. International students from different countries dressed in Hanfu costumes performed a fashion show, paired with accessories and musical instruments featuring traditional Chinese culture, which instantly attracted the attention of the audience.

Highlights from the Gala

Mohamed Othman Saleh from Tanzania sang the song “When You Grow Old” with a deep and soft voice. Zhang Xianyi from China and Narynbekova Zhanara from Kyrgyzstan performed Peking Opera excerpt from “Suo Lin Nang” and “Ode to Pear Blossom”. Their superb performance won bursts of applause from the audience. Yesilmen Nuzan from Turkey and Brandon Adaya Tang from the UK presented a passionate Latin dance performance “Bachata”, which immediately pushed the atmosphere of the gala to a climax.

Highlights from the Gala

Sbai Imane from Morocco delivered the beautiful and heartwarming lyrics of the song “Butterfly Fly Away” with soft vocals and healing guitar sounds. The dance performance “Huajuan”, presented by GSC Dance Club, integrated martial arts, ink wash painting and many other traditional Chinese culture elements into the dance. Finally, the Shenzhen University International Choir performed the song “Sails of the South China Sea” which was dedicated to the 40^th anniversary of Shenzhen University.

We believe that the Shenzhen University International Student Alumni Association will build a broad platform for alumni and all faculty members of CIE will join hands to strive for greater progress! Wish Shenzhen University a brighter future ahead!