Editor: Chen Guoqiong

Jinan University International Business School (IBS) celebrated its 15th founding anniversary and the 5th anniversary of its Alumni Fellowship with a development conference on November 1 at the Zhuhai campus. The event, attended by over 500 university trustees, alumni, faculty, and student representatives, reviewed the school’s milestones and outlined its future vision. A highlight was the inauguration of the "Siyuan" Education Studio, funded by alumni donations.

The conference was chaired by Mr. Xu Gang, Secretary of the IBS Party Committee. In his address, Vice President Gu Naihua of Jinan University commended the school’s achievements over the past fifteen years. He expressed expectations for IBS to further strengthen its commitment to cultivating talent with integrity, foster distinctive academic clusters through interdisciplinary integration, and enhance its global profile via open cooperation.

Mr. Hu Jun, President of the Jinan University Alumni Association and former University President, reflected on the school’s growth from its inception. He acknowledged the contributions of the Alumni Fellowship over the past five years and invited all alumni to return for the University's upcoming 120th-anniversary celebrations next year.

University Trustee Mr. Ye Huiquan, Chairman of Zhonghui Group, shared how the "Jinan Spirit" shaped his academic and entrepreneurial journey. He led the audience in a passionate chant of "Jinan is my home, I love my home," voicing his deep affection and sincere wishes for the University. He suggested the school develop its unique edge by focusing on three strategic areas: supporting Chinese enterprises in global expansion, international business law, and leveraging the University's renowned status as an institution for overseas Chinese.

Dean of IBS, Professor Wu Jing, delivered a development report summarizing the school’s educational philosophy and accomplishments since its founding. She outlined future priorities, including deepening talent cultivation, enhancing discipline construction and faculty development, boosting research and social service impact, and expanding international collaboration to increase the School's global competitiveness.

A key moment was the unveiling ceremony for the "Siyuan" Education Studio. Donated by the IBS Alumni Fellowship, this multifunctional space houses a psychological counseling station, career development room, innovation workshop, and alumni service area. It serves as a practical embodiment of the student-oriented education principle, strengthening the bond between alumni and the school while aiming to elevate the quality of business education.

Mr. Zheng Senpeng, Executive President of the IBS Alumni Fellowship, reported on its five-year progress. He reiterated the Fellowship's dedication to the university motto, "Loyalty, Sincerity, Integrity, and Respect," and pledged to enhance alumni services further, harnessing alumni strength to support both the alma mater and the development of the Greater Bay Area.

The conference included a flag-presentation ceremony to executive presidents of the Alumni Fellowship's regional chapters. To honor distinguished contributions, the "Alumni Fellowship Outstanding Contribution Award" and the "IBS Special Contribution Award for Faculty" were announced, recognizing 20 alumni and 31 faculty members. Awards were presented on stage. A retirement ceremony was also held for three faculty representatives, with Professor Wang Sen speaking on behalf of the retirees, sharing fond memories and expressing heartfelt wishes for the school’s future.

The celebration featured a birthday ceremony where all attendees sang in unison, offering wishes for the school's 15th and the Fellowship's 5th anniversaries. The "Embarking on a New Journey" symbolically launched a new chapter for the school. The event concluded with the stirring melody of the university anthem.

Parallel sub-forums were held during the event. The "Resource Linking & Mindset Empowerment" roundtable discussed a "long-termism" approach to student career development, encouraging students to integrate resources, engage in practice, and solidify their professional foundation and business acumen. A development strategy workshop provided suggestions on enhancing the school's digital and international strategies, curriculum optimization, and deeper industry-academia cooperation.

A group of alumni also visited the Jinan University Science and Technology Park. They learned about the University's latest advancements in technological innovation, industry service, incubation mechanisms, and industry-academia integration. Alumni expressed interest in facilitating collaborations between alumni enterprises and the park to contribute to commercializing research outcomes and regional industrial upgrading.