Amid the blooming Erythrina in Bright City and the embrace of the warm winter sun, alumni camaraderie flourished as the Inaugural Meeting of the Doctoral Alumni Association of the School of Education, City University of Macau, was first held, followed by the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Fujian Alumni Association at Quanzhou Light Industry Vocational College on December 12th.

On the eve of the meeting, alumni, guided by faculty and student representatives, visited the campus. They first toured several practical training rooms, then experienced Quanzhou Vocational College of Light Industry's teaching facilities and educational achievements firsthand.

After the main event, leaders, guests, alumni, and faculty-student representatives from various regions gathered to renew friendships and discuss educational development. Dr Yu Liang, Executive Vice President of Quanzhou Vocational College of Light Industry and a 2022 PhD graduate in Education from City University of Macau, presided over the meeting.

The meeting comprised several sessions: opening remarks, work reports, elections, appointment and plaque-awarding ceremonies, gift exchanges, donation presentations, and speeches by alumni representatives.

In the first session, Dr Chen Junba, Associate Vice President of City University of Macau, delivered an address. He noted that the gathering marked three important occasions: the inauguration of the School of Education PhD Alumni Association, the appointment ceremony of its first Board of Directors and Board of Supervisors, and the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Fujian Alumni Association. As the first university-level alumni association named after a school, the PhD Alumni Association will provide an open platform for PhD graduates across various sectors to share experiences and resources. The Fujian Alumni Association, as a founding and active member, laid a solid foundation for the establishment of the PhD Alumni Association. He added that City University of Macau will always support alumni in their long-term development and encourage mutual achievement among alumni.

Professor Li Ying Cheng, Dean of the School of Education, City University of Macau, delivered a speech highlighting that the essence of education is nurturing people, aiming to shape character, guide values, and inspire lives. She emphasized that the alumni association provides a platform for lifelong learning, a home for friendship, and a field for educational missions—serving as a bridge between theory and practice and connecting alumni with their alma mater. She urged members to embody a “student-centered, education-first” approach to better integrate research with practice and cultivate well-rounded future talents.

Upon the recommendation of the Preparatory Committee and subsequent on-site voting by alumni, Shi Fanfeng was elected the first President of the PhD Alumni Association, while Xu Xiaoshu became the first Chairperson of the Supervisory Board. Following these elections, members of the Board of Directors, the Supervisory Board, contacts, and the secretariat were all appointed and awarded certificates and plaques.

Gifts were exchanged between City University of Macau, relevant institutions, alumni associations, and Quanzhou Vocational College of Light Industry, thereby symbolizing their lasting friendship.

During the meeting, Guangxi Junyu Medical Investment Co., Ltd. donated 100,000 RMB to the School of Education's Student Research Award Fund. This contribution aims to support student research development.

Continuing the expressions of gratitude and anticipation, Li Li (Executive President of Guangdong Alumni Association), Xu Xiaoshu (First Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of the School of Education PhD Alumni Association), and Shi Fanfeng (First President of the School of Education PhD Alumni Association) delivered speeches successively, expressing gratitude to their alma mater and sharing expectations for the development of the alumni association.

Finally, Dr Wang Shusheng, PhD, Supervisor of City University of Macau and Executive Director of Quanzhou Vocational College of Light Industry, delivered a speech. He warmly congratulated the establishment of the alumni association, thanked the leaders for their support, and recognized the alumni's efforts. He emphasized that an organization thrives on activities. Beyond academic research, a PhD life should also include life and social connections. The alumni association serves as a new family, enabling broader exchanges in culture, sports, and emotional bonding.

After the official meeting concluded, the second phase of the event began, featuring two parallel activities: the Education PhD Alumni Forum in the 4th Floor Academic Lecture Hall, enabling in-depth discussion of current educational issues, and the PhD Student Training Seminar of the School of Education, focusing on enhancing talent development quality and exploring innovative training models and pathways.

The successful convening of this conference not only provided a platform for communication and resource sharing among alumni from all regions but also marked a new stage in City University of Macau's alumni affairs. Furthermore, with the support of university leadership and the joint efforts of all alumni, the alumni associations will continue to grow, build bridges, and provide sustained impetus for the advancement of education and the high-quality development of the alma mater.

List of Participating Leaders and Guests

Dr Chen Junba,      Associate Vice President, City University of Macau

Professor Li Ying      Cheng, Dean, School of Education, City University of Macau

Dr Wang Shusheng,      PhD, Supervisor, City University of Macau; Executive Director, Quanzhou      Vocational College of Light Industry

Chen Jun, Chairman,      Guangxi Junyu Medical Investment Co., Ltd.

PhD Supervisors, School of Education, City University of Macau

Professor Li      Shuying, Dean, Institute of Education, College of Education, Shenzhen      University

Professor Hu      Haijian, Party Secretary, Guangdong University of Technology

Professor Chen Wei,      Dean, School of Educational Science, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal      University

Professor Zhao      Jianhua, Southern University of Science and Technology

Faculty Members, School of Education, City University of Macau

Associate Professor      Cheng Longwei, master’s Programme Director

Assistant Professor      Dai Yi, PhD Programme Director

Associate Professor      Yau Hok Lan

Assistant Professor      Zhang Jiawei

Assistant Professor      Wang Zixuan

Assistant Professor      Cheng Yihung

Assistant Professor      Cheng Pui Man

Administrative      Staff: Huang Liyu, Chen Yunru

He Zhen, Lecturer,      Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, City University of Macau; Vice      Chairperson of the Supervisory Board, Macau Alumni Association

Xiao Yawen,      Secretary-General, Macau Alumni Association, City University of Macau

Li Li, Executive      President, Guangdong Alumni Association, City University of Macau

He Zhenpeng,      President, Fujian Alumni Association, City University of Macau; Assistant      President, Quanzhou Vocational College of Light Industry

Pan Shuhan,      Executive Vice President, Fujian Alumni Association

Tong Minjun, Vice      President and Secretary-General, Fujian Alumni Association

Guests and alumni from Guangdong University of Technology, Fujian Alumni Association, and the School of Education PhD Alumni Association.