On December 7th, 2024, the School hosted the 2024 Alumni Homecoming Day event, attracting nearly 350 alumni from various cohorts to return to campus, witness the School's new developments, reconnect with teachers and classmates, and discuss future prospects.

The afternoon's Homecoming Day event marked the highlight of the day. Vice President of ECUST, Prof. Yan Haifeng, Dean of the School, Prof. Fan Tijun, and Deputy Director of Alumni Relations and Development Office, Mr. Yu Ning, attended the event, which was presided over by Vice Dean of the School, Prof. Lou Gaoxiang.

During the event, Qidong Dongyue Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shanghai Daoren Asset Management Co., Ltd., and alumnus Xu Weifan each donated RMB 1 million to the East China University of Science and Technology Education Development Foundation. The donations will be used to establish scholarships and grants, and to host entrepreneurship and innovation competitions, supporting the educational endeavors of the School. Vice President and Vice Chairman of the Foundation, Prof. Yan Haifeng, accepted the donations on behalf of the foundation and presented certificates of donation to the donors.

In his speech, Prof.Yan Haifeng expressed sincere gratitude to Qidong Dongyue Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shanghai Daoren Asset Management Co., Ltd., and alumnus Xu Weifan on behalf of the university and the foundation. He noted that these donations reflect the alumni's deep affection and trust in their alma mater. The university will cherish every donation and ensure that the funds are used reasonably and effectively. The construction of the East China University of Science and Technology community of shared future relies on the "gathering - cohesion - empowerment" of its vast alumni network. The university will always be a strong support and a warm haven for its alumni. He hoped that alumni would work together to promote the deep integration of industry, academia, and research, unite their efforts, and achieve mutual benefits, actively serving the national development strategy.

Dean Fan Tijun reported to the alumni on the school's recent developments, showcasing the significant achievements made by the Business School in teaching, research, and international cooperation.

In the subsequent award ceremony, Fan Tijun presented awards to Dr. Qiu Shumin and Dr. Xu Haichuan, who were selected for the "Fengjing Scholar" Young Talent Program. Wang Xiongying, General Manager of Guangdong Haolu Construction Co., Ltd., presented an award to Dr. Yu Yadong, who was selected for the "Xiongying Scholar" Young Talent Program. Wu Xinzhi, General Manager of Wuxi Fan Ying Police Equipment Co., Ltd., presented the "Fanying Outstanding Teacher Award" to faculty members including Fu Yulin, Wu Bing, Liu Liping, and Yang Guiju.

Deputy Chairman of the Business School Alumni Council, Sun Gongping, presented the Outstanding Alumni Organization Award to the East China University of Science and Technology Wuxi Alumni Association MBA Club, the Fluid Intelligence Control Club, and the Business School Dragon Boat Club, acknowledging their important roles in promoting alumni communication and industry-education integration this year.

Xu Weifan, Class of 2007 Information Management, and Chairman of Shanghai Mask Information Technology Co., Ltd., named Room 413 of the Business School building. Dean Fan Tijun and Xu Weifan jointly unveiled the named classroom that day.

In the highly anticipated "Alma Mater Lecture" segment, Professor Wu Baijun, Dean of the Institute of Chinese Modernization and the Advanced Institute of Social Sciences at ECUST, and a professor at the School, delivered a lecture titled "Where is the Chinese Economy Heading?"

Professor Wu Baijun led the alumni through a review of the historical trajectory of China's economic development and delved into the current challenges and future directions. He expressed confidence in the long-term positive fundamentals of the Chinese economy despite various uncertainties at home and abroad.

Professor Wu Baijun called on alumni to work together, seize development opportunities, overcome difficulties, and jointly promote the sustained and healthy development of the Chinese economy. During the Q&A session, Professor Wu Baijun provided sincere and thoughtful responses to the practical issues concerning alumni in the process of company development and transformation.

Finally,Vice Dean of the School, Prof. Lou Gaoxiang, warmly invited alumni to visit their alma mater frequently, thanked them for their long-term support of the university's various endeavors, and looked forward to their attendance at next year's Homecoming Day event.

In the morning, a special "Zero-Basis Chinese Painting Class" was added to this year's Homecoming Day. Associate Prof. Zhang Yanhui, with her unique teaching style, skillfully blended the profound cultural connotations of traditional Chinese painting with modern life. Through vivid explanations and demonstrations, she guided the alumni into a world of poetic and picturesque scenes. Each alumnus created a traditional Chinese wisteria painting, enhancing their creativity and paying tribute to the traditional Chinese painting art.

On the day, the corporate exhibition area on the fourth floor of the college provided a platform for alumni to showcase their entrepreneurial and innovative achievements. It also served as an example for junior students at the Business School, inspiring more of them to grow and succeed.

Since 2009, the Alumni Homecoming Day event has become an annual grand celebration for the Business School at East China University of Science and Technology. The Business School, with the concept of building a "community of shared future," and a mission of "connecting, lifelong learning, resource sharing, healthy living, and giving back to society," is committed to creating a platform for knowledge, information, and networking resource sharing for alumni, promoting the development of the Business School's "community of shared future."