Recently, Tianjin University received precious archive materials of the 1940s of Peiyang University (the former Tianjin University) donated by a Tianjin University alumni. The data included photos of teaching and practicing, manuscripts, letters between alumni, certificates, and works after their graduation. Many materials were discovered for the first time, and are of great value.

Qiu Caichou, was an alumnus of Peiyang University. Fourteen old photos, ten letters between alumni, two notebooks and one poetry anthology of his were donated to the TJU archive by his daughters. Besides these materials, there were also three photos taken in the battlefields of the North Korea between 1950-1953, including a photo of two volunteer soldiers in North Korea who had graduated from Peiyang University. It was the first time that TJU archive had collected data of alumni of this kind. In addition, an essay A Family Letter from a Peiyang Father, a communication between alumnus Qiu Caichou and his daughter was clicked more than 30,000 times on Wechat and microblog within several days. 　

Two other alumni – Qiu Xingya and Zhao Liangru – were interviewed by archive staff. They talked about their experiences of studying at the then Peiyang University, taking part in the patriotic campaign in North Korea and engaging in China’s iron and steel development. After the interview, they donated some precious data, including a yearbook, an assignment, a diploma and 35 photos related to campus life in the 1940s at Peiyang University. 　　　

Jiang Senrong, an alumnus of the then Peiyang University reviewed his experience of studying at the school and teaching after graduation. He was very concerned with the current development of TJU. He said the newly built campus of TJU was very spectacular and beautiful. He also donated 4 works of his and a poetry collection of Peiyang memories.