(Image: The High-quality Development Conference)

Guangzhou, China – December 6, 2025 – Jinan University commemorated the 100th anniversary of its Accounting Department and hosted the Conference on High-Quality Development of Accounting in the Digital Intelligence Era at the University's School of Management. Under the theme "A Century of Accounting: Staying True to Our Mission, Shaping the Future of Digital Business," the event reflected on the department's century-long legacy and explored pathways for the discipline's evolution and talent cultivation in the era of digital intelligence.

The conference brought together over 700 participants, including Sun Yu, Secretary of the Party Committee of Jinan University; Hu Jun, President of the University Alumni Association; Gu Naihua, Vice President; Liu Guoqiang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Accounting Society of China; representatives from more than 50 domestic and international universities; industry professionals; as well as faculty, students, alumni, and retired professors of the School of Management.

In his address, Vice President Gu Naihua traced the department's development since its founding in 1925. He expressed hopes for the department to maintain its distinctive characteristics, embrace digital and intelligent transformation, foster interdisciplinary innovation and industry-academia-research integration, and continue contributing to the advancement of the accounting and finance sector in the region.

Liu Guoqiang acknowledged the significant role of Jinan University's Accounting Department within the academic community. He stated the Accounting Society of China's commitment to deepening collaboration, aiming to jointly produce research grounded in Chinese practice while maintaining a global outlook, and looked forward to the department leveraging its strengths to propel the high-quality development of accounting in China.

Song Xianzhong, former President of Jinan University, fondly recalled his 33-year association with the department. Emphasizing that sustained progress relies on collective effort and intergenerational dedication, he encouraged faculty and students to uphold the integrity championed by the department's founders, remain committed to educational excellence, adapt proactively to the digital age, and steer the department toward an even brighter future.

Li Wenjing, Dean of the School of Management, extended sincere gratitude to partners and alumni worldwide for their longstanding support. He outlined the school's future focus on the cutting-edge fields like digital accounting and green accounting, alongside plans to deepen industry-academia linkages and international cooperation, working with all members of the "Jinan Accounting community" to achieve new heights.

Tan Youchao, Head of the Accounting Department, presented an overview of the department's history, academic research, societal contributions, and educational achievements.

Representatives from sister institutions, including Li Guangzhong, Dean of the School of Management at Sun Yat-sen University; Su Lixin, Dean of the School of Accounting and Finance at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Ma Zhiming, Chair of the Accounting Department at Peking University, extended their congratulations. They praised the department's accomplishments in accounting education, discipline development, and talent cultivation, and expressed a shared desire to enhance cooperation in theoretical innovation, joint research, and talent development to address national strategic needs and contribute to the advancement of accounting scholarship and practice.

Alumni representative Li Jianfa (Class of 1984) and Jiang Hong (Ph.D. Class of 2005) shared their reflections.

(Image: The "Digital Intelligence Empowerment, Embarking on a New Chapter" Opening Ceremony)

The conference featured an opening ceremony entitled "Digital Intelligence Empowerment, Embarking on a New Chapter" and a tribute ceremony honoring "Centennial Contributors." Faculty and students performed a creative recital and chorus titled "The Road of One Hundred Years" to mark the centennial. During the event, the Donation Wall at the School of Management was unveiled in the presence of university leaders and alumni representatives, symbolizing a shared commitment to future collaboration. Alumni donations specifically for the anniversary celebrations totaled 3.28 million RMB.

(Image: The unveiling of the Donation Wall)

The "Forum on High-Quality Development of Accounting in the Digital Intelligence Era" was also held concurrently. Experts such as Professor Yang Guochao from Fudan University and Professor Cao Chunfang from Sun Yat-sen University delivered insights. Additionally, seven parallel forums and roundtables were organized on topics including the independent accounting knowledge system, artificial intelligence and sustainable development, accounting talent cultivation for future needs, and young accounting scholars. These sessions facilitated in-depth discussions on disciplinary transformation, industry-education integration, and innovative talent development in the digital intelligence era, building consensus for the field's high-quality growth.

Editor: Su Qianyi