In order to return thanks for social donations and to honor all the kind people involved, on October 8^th, Nankai University held a great ceremony in Tianjin with the theme of “New Century, New Nankai.”

Distinguished guests including Yang Qingshan, Chancellor of Nankai University; Cao Xuetao, President of Nankai University; Li Yidan, Vice Chancellor of Nankai University; Li Jing, Vice President of Nankai University; Chen Jun, Vice President of Nankai University; as well as the board members of Nankai University, consultants and directors of the education foundation of Nankai University; donors from all walks of life; representatives of alumni and teachers and fund-raising volunteers were presented. Xu Jingjun, executive vice president of Nankai University, presided over the ceremony.

The centennial celebration of Nankai University in 2019 was an important historical moment for the university and also a great point for it to improve to be established as a world-class university. With support from all walks of life, Nankai University has obtained a brand new look in the new century and successfully completed the fund-raising work of “New century, New campus and New Nankai.” At the ceremony,the guests and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the fund-raising work in the new century were all greatly commended.

At the ceremony, Yang Qingshan, on behalf of the university, presented the Nankai New Century Special Contribution Award for Education Development to Ye Jiaying, director of the Institute of Chinese Classical Culture of Nankai University, Zhang Wenzhong and Zhou Haibing, tenured board members of Nankai University, and Huang Qisen, senior board member of Nankai University.

Other awards such as the Nankai New Century Remarkable Contribution Award for Education Development, Nankai New Century Outstanding Contribution Award for Education Development, Nankai New Century Contribution Award for Education Development and Distinguished Friends of Nankai University were also presented to individuals or organizations.

Speaking on behalf of the school, Cao Xuetao expressed his gratitude to the alumni and members of the community who have contributed to the development of Nankai University. At the awards portion, Ye Jiaying sent her wishes through a video clip. The audience also watched the trailers of Like the Dyer’s Hand, an upcoming documentary based on Ye’s life.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Nankai University, the university under the initiative of the alumni released the construction plan for Nankai Centennial Zhou Enlai Lecture Hall first devised in December 2016. Since the start of the project, the majority of teachers, students and alumni have enthusiastically participated in the construction of the lecture hall and gathering donations.

At the ceremony, Cao Xuetao called Bei Jianzhong, a famous Chinese-American designer, and discussed the architectural design concept as well as the significance of the preparatory work of the Nankai Centennial Zhou Enlai Lecture Hall.

In order to return thanks to the alumni organization for their consistent love and sincere and selfless feedback for Nankai University, Ren Zhe, the founder of Shiguang Nankai Studio, volunteer in the Nankai University Education Foundation, sent his carefully-created painting to the alumni organization as a gift.

Lastly, to express gratitude to all alumni and donors from all walks of life, Nankai University student choir presented a great performance, singing beautiful songs such as My Home is the Beautiful Nankai University, Yimeng Folk Song, and The Barber of Seville.

For a long time, the development and progress of Nankai University has relied on the support and help of all the alumni. In recent years, Nankai University has developed rapidly, and received constant donations, which have already gone to tremendous programs from the system of awards and grants at the very beginning to all aspects of the development of higher education.

(Reported by Renmin Qiao, Photographed by Qiqi Zong, Translated by Yuhan Xie. Edited by STEFAN SARAH DANIELLE and JianjingYun)