Golden Autumn Warmth, Peaches and Plums Abound

— A Memoir of the 97th and 98th Photonics Alumni Reunion

At 2:15 PM on October 27th, a hint of winter in the air, warm sunlight spread across the sprawling campus of Shenzhen University. The School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering welcomed a special group of guests — alumni from the 97th and 98th cohorts of the Photonics Technology program.

In the building of the School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Vice Dean Sun Yiling, Vice Secretary Lin Jilin, and Professor Ouyang Zhengbiao warmly received the returning alumni. The first group photo was taken under the new school building of the School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering — Zhiyuan Building.

Alumni and former mentors capture memories together

Subsequently, the alumni toured the undergraduate teaching laboratories in the southern campus area. The returning alumni couldn't help but exclaim, "The changes in the school are tremendous. It's heartwarming to see our alma mater thriving." Their conversations were filled with nostalgia for the past and admiration for the rapid development of the school and the college.

Vice Secretary Lin Jilin, Vice Dean Sun Yiling, and Professor Ouyang Zhengbiao introduce the current undergraduate teaching and laboratory situation to the alumni

The alumni fondly reminisced about the old times and expressed admiration for the rapid development of the alma mater and the college

Crossing the inter-district bridge, the alumni revisited the old grounds of the northern campus, reliving past memories. Traces of the old scenes still lingered — beside the old seaside swimming pool, a new sports field for the southern campus had been built, and the renovated school hospital building still nestled under the lush branches. Where the Red Bean Dormitory, the Purple Weeping Willow Dormitory, and the Juhanzhai female dormitories once stood, new and towering student dormitory buildings now stood. The male students must make a special visit to the Milan Dormitory, as this building holds too many memories of their university days. The teaching buildings and the northern library still retained their old appearance, but now there was an additional southern library accompanying them. The alumni excitedly observed the changes happening in the campus where they once lived, feeling both nostalgic and gratified.

Alumni walk across the sky bridge amidst laughter and joy

Alumni look at the changes in the places where they once lived, reminiscing about the past

Expressions of joy overflow as they witness the changes

Upon leaving the residential area, the alumni once again took photos with their former mentors

Alumni and mentors pose for a photo in front of the new building of Juhanzhai at the intersection

Alumni pose in front of the Milan Dormitory, the former male dormitory

A group photo in front of the Northern Library

Later, everyone proceeded to the Optoelectronics Institute in the northern campus for a seminar between teachers and students. 24 alumni gathered with former teachers including Dean Xu Ping, Vice Dean Sun Yiling (former head teacher of the 97th Photonics class), Professor Yu Jianhua (former head teacher of the 98th Photonics class), Professor Gao Zhihui, Professor Ouyang Zhengbiao, and Vice Secretary Lin Jilin, who was in charge of the alumni association liaison department. Dean Xu Ping, on behalf of all faculty and students of the School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, warmly welcomed the alumni from the 97th and 98th cohorts of the Photonics Technology program.

The dean warmly welcomes the alumni

During the seminar, Dean Xu Ping's words immediately took everyone back to their youthful days, and the discussions between teachers and students were filled with warmth and laughter.

Warm and harmonious exchanges between teachers and students

Subsequently, representatives of the 98th and 97th cohorts, Duan Xi and Tai Zhaoyang respectively, reported on the situation of their classes to the alma mater. The alumni then shared updates about their recent lives. Alumni Tai Zhaoyang from the 97th cohort, with his company Tianyi Heavy Industries, leads in global technology, with an annual output value exceeding 100 million yuan. Tai Zhaoyang and other alumni from the 98th cohort, such as Wan Junkang and Xie Liping, expressed optimism about the future prospects of the optoelectronics field, stating: "In the current context of the manufacturing industry's explosive demand, there will be a springtime for the development of laser technology. We hope to join forces with the alma mater's scientific and technological strength, strengthen school-enterprise cooperation, seize opportunities in the market trends, and move forward together!"

Alumni share updates about their recent lives

Immediately after, Mr. Wan Junkang and Ms. Huang Danni, representing the 98th cohort, presented a plaque inscribed with "Peaches and Plums Abound" to the school, expressing gratitude to the teachers for their careful nurturing in the past, and acknowledging that all the students have now blossomed in various fields and have established their own families and careers. The students sincerely wished the school continued success, with peaches and plums blooming everywhere!

Dean Xu Ping, Vice Dean Sun Yiling, and the former teachers accept the plaque from the alumni representatives on behalf of the school

Following this, representatives such as Ji Yanhua, Liu Weiqian, Xie Liping, Duan Xi, Huang Danni, and Wan Junkang presented flowers to their former mentors as a token of appreciation. After the exchange session, the alumni took a group photo with the teachers in the multipurpose hall of the Optoelectronics Institute.

Alumni present flowers as a gesture of gratitude and take a group photo in the multipurpose hall

The alumni reunion ended with reluctance, but the emotional bond and cooperation between the alumni and between the alumni and the alma mater will only grow stronger! Shenzhen University's students are always welcome to visit the campus, and we look forward to more alumni gatherings and exchanges in the future.

— School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering Alumni Liaison Department