The school community gathered to celebrate a historic milestone as the affiliated middle school of Nanjing University commemorated its 130th anniversary, welcoming alumni from around the world alongside distinguished guests and students for a celebration spanning three centuries of educational heritage.
Representatives from several higher education institutions including Nanjing University and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics took the stage together to officially launch the "Dual-High Collaboration for Talent Cultivation" through-program dedicated to nurturing outstanding students at the affiliated school.
In the early morning, the campus buzzed with excitement and laughter as numerous graduates returned to their alma mater. A special photo wall featuring alumni from different graduating classes drew considerable attention, with many former students stopping to search for their own memorable moments captured during their middle school years.
At 9 a.m., the high-quality development conference marking the school's 130th anniversary commenced, with provincial and municipal leaders delivering remarks and congratulations. Party Secretary Li Haiyan presented a comprehensive report on the institution's educational achievements in the new era across five key areas: ideological education, teaching reform, faculty development, holistic student cultivation, and collaborative education. She emphasized that standing at this new starting point, the school aims to build a modern high-quality institution known for excellence and distinctive characteristics.
The anniversary celebration brought a steady stream of good news, with more than thirty congratulatory letters arriving from prestigious universities both domestically and internationally, including Nanjing University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, and Hohai University. Well-wishes also came from Yining No. 1 Middle School in Xinjiang and sister schools from within and beyond the region.
Professor Sun Leqiang, a standing committee member of the Nanjing University Party Committee and head of its organization and united front departments, represented Nanjing University in offering congratulations and presented a special gift to the school. Principal Yue Hongdong of the affiliated school accepted the gift on stage, marking a particularly touching moment of friendship between the two institutions.
The alumni tribute segment proved deeply moving. Yu Weiyi from the Class of 1961, former president of Nanjing Medical University's School of Stomatology and Jiangsu Provincial Stomatological Hospital, and donor of the "Ye Jingyi Scholarship and Teaching Award Fund," appeared in the spotlight. Wang Nanshi from the Class of 1975, a master technician at Nanjing Chenguang Group and nationally recognized craftsman, also took the stage. Cao Xue from the Class of 1979, former dean and professor at the School of Visual Arts Design at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and doctoral supervisor who led the design team for the Beijing Winter Olympics mascot "Bing Dwen Dwen," made an appearance as well.
Sun Xiaoyun from the Class of 1973, chairman of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, specially created a calligraphy work to honor the anniversary celebration, offering blessings to her alma mater through the power of exemplary figures.
Under the banner "A New Journey Begins at 130," the "Dual-High Collaboration for Talent Cultivation" through-program for outstanding students at the affiliated school was officially launched. Representatives from Nanjing University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Yangzhou University, Nanjing Audit University, Nanjing Sport Institute, and Canada's Toronto Five Lakes College took the stage together, further expanding the educational pathways connecting this historic institution to higher education.
On the day of the anniversary celebration, eight academic lectures were held simultaneously. University professors and graduates who began their journeys at the affiliated school brought the vastness of the world to the campus, opening windows to the future for current students.