On the afternoon of 13th October, the inaugural conference of the QMES Branch was successfully held in Lecture Hall 206 of the East Teaching Building at the Chang’an Campus. The event was attended by over 100 participants, including Wang Yubo, Assistant to the President of NPU, Yang Ming, Director of the Office of External Relations and Secretary of the Alumni Association, Wang Fanhua from the Office of External Relations, Cao Ziyao, Deputy Director of the Student Affairs Department, Fan Xiaoli, Dean of QMES, Maria Romero-Gonzalez, Executive Vice Dean of QMES, Wang Yongxin, Vice Dean of QMES, Cheng Yin, Deputy Secretary of the QMES Party Committee and Vice Dean. Representatives from QMES and QMUL faculty, class advisors, and alumni from various graduating classes attended the conference online and in person. The meeting was chaired by Cheng Yin.

Firstly, Wang Yongxin, the chairperson of the organising committee, presented a report on the preparations for the Alumni Association, detailing the progress made thus far. Initially, the preparatory group conducted a thorough data collection and established the “QMES Alumni Group”. They also actively engaged class alumni liaisons and distributed an online questionnaire to invite alumni from various regions. Additionally, notifications and invitations for the inaugural meeting were published on the NPU promotional platforms and the official WeChat account of the NPU Alumni Association, further broadening awareness of the event. This outreach aimed to connect with alumni widely and gather diverse opinions, ultimately leading to the confirmation of candidates for the Board of Directors. He sincerely welcomed all alumni to actively participate in the construction and development of the Alumni Association and the various initiatives of QMES, striving together to enhance the international influence and global competitiveness of QMES.

Yang Ming, the Director of the External Liaison Office and Secretary-General of the Alumni Association read out the approval for the establishment of the QMES Alumni Association. The assembly reviewed and voted to approve the proposed list of members for the first Board of Directors of the QMES Alumni Association, resulting in the election of its inaugural members. Fan Xiaoli was elected as President; Dai Fuping, Maria Romero-Gonzalez, Wang Yongxin, Li Liangchen, and Li Ruixiang were elected as Vice Presidents; Cheng Yin was elected as Secretary-General and Vice President; Yang Fenping, Li Yiran, Zhong Fenglin, and He Shuyue were elected as Deputy Secretaries-General; and Yang Ye, Yang Yufei, Wu Ajing, Huang Quanzhang, Li Qi, among others, were elected as Board Members, totalling twenty in all.

Wang Yubo, Assistant to the President of NPU, presented the flag to the QMES Alumni Association, which was received by Fan Xiaoli, the President of the QMES Alumni Association and Dean of QMES. Wang Yubo, along with Yang Ming, the Director of the External Liaison Office and Secretary-General of the NPU Alumni Association, respectively issued appointment letters to the members of the inaugural Board of Directors of the QMES Alumni Association.

Subsequently, Fan Xiaoli, President of the QMES Alumni Association, delivered a speech. She expressed two hopes and one assurance: first, she hoped that all alumni would maintain a sincere commitment and actively engage in the development of various initiatives at QMES; second, she encouraged the Board Members of the QMES Alumni Association to collaborate and contribute ideas to advance the work of the association; third, she assured that QMES would provide ample support and resources for the promotion of alumni activities. She earnestly looked forward to harnessing the strength of alumni through this powerful platform to facilitate communication and collaboration among alumni, thereby advancing the development of NPU and various undertakings at QMES.

Fan Junchen, the first graduate of the 2017 class from QMES and a doctoral representative from the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, spoke on behalf of the overseas alumni. He expressed that during his time studying in the UK, he profoundly felt the support and assistance provided by the institution. He noted that the alumni association serves not only as a platform for alumni to share experiences and resources but also as a vital link that fosters a sense of belonging in a foreign land. Li Liangchen, a graduate of the 2019 class and a direct doctoral candidate at Tsinghua University’s National Graduate College for Engineers, also delivered a speech. He articulated four insights, urging alumni to take on the responsibilities of being “foundry leaders” for key technologies, “pioneers” in tackling critical technological challenges, “guides” for international development, and “practitioners” committed to high-quality initiatives. The alumni’s speeches reflected the deep and lasting bond they share with both NPU and QMES, one that remains strong and unbreakable.

Wang Fanhua from the Office of External Relations presented an overview of the NPU Alumni Fund activities. He provided a comprehensive and detailed introduction to the Office of External Relations and its alumni initiatives, offering valuable suggestions regarding the engagement of young alumni and the work of the QMES alumni association.

Fan Xiaoli provided an overview of the latest developments within QMES. She elaborated in detail and conducted an in-depth analysis of several aspects, including the QMES’s profile, initiatives and achievements in talent cultivation, and an introduction to alumni relations. Furthermore, she outlined the current status of QMES alumni activities and made plans for future initiatives.

After the conference, Wang Yubo, Assistant to the President of NPU, extended his congratulations on the establishment of the QMES Alumni Association on behalf of NPU. He noted that the Fourteenth Party Congress of NPU had just concluded successfully, outlining a new era blueprint for building a world-class university with Chinese characteristics, aiming to become “World’s Leading in Education, Top in Aviation, Aerospace, and Maritime”. The official establishment of the QMES branch is a timely and purposeful initiative, aimed at harnessing collective efforts for the development of NPU. He shared several insights and expectations regarding alumni work. Firstly, he expressed a hope that the QMES alumni initiatives would always adhere to the correct direction, serving as a heartfelt and effective bridge connecting the alumni and the institution. Secondly, he encouraged the QMES Alumni Association to develop its distinctive characteristics. Thirdly, he urged alumni to continue collaborating to advance the NPU’s mission. He looked forward to everyone drawing inspiration from the spirit of the Fourteenth Party Congress of NPU, aligning with the pulse of contemporary development, addressing the needs of national strength, and adhering to the strategic deployment of education, technology, and talent. He encouraged all to seize the moment, forge ahead, achieve new successes and write new chapters in the journey towards building a world-class university with Chinese characteristics.

The conference concluded with a choral rendition of the NPU school song. Leaders, guests, and all alumni gathered for a group photograph to commemorate the occasion.

Following the founding meeting, the first council of the QMES branch convened. During this meeting, the “QMES Alumni Association Constitution” and the annual work plan for the alumni association were reviewed and approved, after which a group photograph was taken.

The successful hosting of the QMES branch founding meeting not only marks the official establishment of the QMES Alumni Association but also heralds a new chapter of collaboration and mutual benefit between alumni and their alma mater. The QMES will seize the opportunity presented by the establishment of the alumni association to actively create a platform for alumni connections, unite the strength of the alumni community, and further strengthen the close ties between QMES and its alumni. Together, they will contribute to NPU’s vision of becoming the “World’s Leading in Education, Top in Aviation, Aerospace, and Maritime”.

Photo: Zhou Junping, Ma Huili

Text: Song Jiayin

Edit: Huang Jiaxin, Sun Minghong, Chen Xinyan

Translate: Shen Xinyi

Review: Cheng Yin