October 2nd marks the 123rd Anniversary of Tianjin University, the first modern university in China. Twelve hundred alumni that had enrolled in 1977 and 1978 came back to the university to celebrate its 123rd birthday as well as the 40th anniversary of their university admission.
A grand convention was held to welcome the alumni. The attendees shared their memories of the past and aspirations for the future. Cui Kai, the academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Zheng Jianwei , the chairman of Bombardier China, and Zhang Wei , the head of the College of Management and Economics at TJU spoke on behalf of the alumni. They expressed the gratitude and appreciation all the alumni held toward the great alma mater and teachers and made a vow to work hard with the down-to-earth attitude and become the driving force for the development of China and the world.
On the same day, two memorial architectural pieces were unveiled on the Peiyangyuan Campus. One is the sculpture “TJU Star” located beside the Sanwen (Three Questions) Bridge. On July 11th this year, the Asteroid Naming Committee of International Astronomical Union has permanently named the No.8971 asteroid as “the Star of Tianjin University” which is a special present from the alumni who enrolled in the university in 1977 and 1978 for their alma mater.
The “Star of TJU” memorial sculpture, an unique design by Cui Kai, a 1977 alumnus, looks like it is hanging above the Youth Lake of the Peiyangyuan campus, shining through day and night.
Another piece of architecture that made its debut in Tailei Square is the Memorial Wall for the restoration of the college entrance examination in China. Thanks to the creative ideas and generous contribution of the 1977 and 1978 alumni, the memorial wall, built and designed by Cui Kai, is made up of 69 building blocks symbolizing the 69 classes of the grade 1977 and 1978. With the concept of “foundation”, the wall represents the important role the 1977 and 1978 alumni played in the process of China’s reform and opening-up and modernization as they were the first batch of college students after China restored the policy of CEE.
Source: Chinanews.com
Translated by Zhou Sha
Editors: Eva Yin & Doris Harrington
