Leeds alumni connected in Shanghai, China at a fully booked reunion event.
The event, which was themed “Connect, share, grow”, gave 50 attendees the opportunity to reconnect with friends, network with fellow Leeds graduates and celebrate shared memories.
Attendees came from across a wide range of professions and class dates creating the perfect environment for sharing ideas. Guest speeches and roundtable discussions provided a platform for conversations and learning.
“We hope the event helped unite alumni,” said Yu Tang, organiser of the Shanghai alumni group. “We know that we can leverage the professional strengths of our alumni to develop our association.”
Organised by alumni, for alumni
The event was co-ordinated by a team of alumni volunteers, whose hard work helped to ensure things ran smoothly.
Organisers communicated key details to attendees through the Shanghai WeChat group. Local alumni are invited to join by contacting Vinson Zhou on WeChat (ID zquibe), and you’ll then have the opportunity to attend future events.
They organised guest talks from David Gu, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association UK Chapter, who discussed his time in the UK, and provided a practical "Guide to Life After Returning Home". Eason Qiao (Mechatronics and Robotics 2018) shared his “Survival Guise in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, drawing from his professional experiences in manufacturing and industry.
Talks were followed by a roundtable discussion which featured Yu Tang, James Shen (event organiser), David Gu, and Sue Zhang (event organiser). “Panellists discussed the current economic situation, career planning, second-curve development, choices between entrepreneurship and employment, and personal management,” said Yu Tang. “They agreed that in an era filled with uncertainty, continuous learning, self-improvement, and maintaining a healthy psychological state are key to addressing career challenges.”
Attendees then enjoyed group sessions, giving opportunities to establish connections and collaborate further. Alumni were divided into five groups to discuss topics such as career development and side businesses.
“The gathering provided a platform for alumni to relive their university memories and share experiences,” said Yu Tang. “But they also had chance to reflect upon career development and personal growth.
“Going forward, our alumni association in Shanghai will continue to unite alumni to help create a more positive future.”
If you have been inspired to organise an event in your local area or would like to attend an event near you, explore whether there is an alumni group in your country.
Further information
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For further information email Jennifer Cleaver at J.Cleaver@leeds.ac.uk