Chairman Wan Gang Attends and Provides Guidance: 2026 Expanded Council Meeting and Alumni Exchange Symposium of the TU Clausthal Chinese Alumni Association Successfully Held

At the beginning of the meeting, Professor Hou Zhengmeng, Chairman of the TU Clausthal Chinese Alumni Association, delivered a welcoming address and led participants through a heartfelt review of the Association’s development journey. From the establishment of the TU Clausthal Chinese Alumni Association at Beihang University on 6 June 2015, to the convening of the Sino-German Forum on Sustainable Development and New Energy and the signing of cooperation agreements; from the return visits to the alma mater by outstanding alumni including founding Chairman Academician Xu Huibin and Honorary Chairman Academician Xu Delong, to the inauguration of the Sino-German “Clean Energy” Innovation Platform by Chairman Wan Gang; from the Sino-German Intelligent Manufacturing Cooperation Symposium in 2016, to the Sino-German Science, Technology and Cultural Exchange event in 2019, and the joint celebration of the alma mater’s 250th anniversary — each precious moment brought back shared memories among the alumni present.

Chairman Hou expressed sincere gratitude to the previous Council and to the senior alumni who have long supported the development of the Association. He noted that the older generation of alumni had laid a solid foundation for the Association’s growth from its beginnings to a broader network, while also passing on a valuable tradition of solidarity, mutual support, service to the alma mater, and connection between China and Germany. Looking ahead, he said that the new Council and younger alumni should take up the baton, carry forward the legacy through innovation, strengthen cohesion through service, and make the TU Clausthal Chinese Alumni Association warmer, more dynamic, and more influential.

Dr. Xi Furui, Secretary-General of the Alumni Association Council, then presented a report on behalf of the Council to Chairman Wan Gang, founding Chairman Academician Xu Huibin, and the alumni in attendance. The report covered the new Council’s work progress, interim achievements, and future plans. Dr. Xi noted that the work of the new Council was moving from “building the framework” to “delivering tangible results”. In the next phase, the Council will continue to follow the principles of sustainability, participation, and practical implementation, while promoting regular activities, institutionalized platforms, project-based cooperation, and networked collaboration. By making full use of the “Alumni Homes” in different locations as physical hubs, the Association aims to upgrade “having a place to gather” into “being able to gather regularly”, and to turn alumni expertise, industry resources, and cross-cultural experience into concrete bridges for academic, technological, and industrial cooperation between China and Germany.

During the subsequent exchange session between senior and younger alumni, founding Chairman Academician Xu Huibin spoke highly of the progress achieved by the new Council and shared his expectations for the Association’s future development. He pointed out that the growth of the TU Clausthal Chinese Alumni Association embodies the dedication of several generations of alumni. The previous Council, he said, made outstanding contributions to organizational development, resource integration, event organization, and the consolidation of foundations for Sino-German cooperation. This spirit and these resources deserve to be deeply valued and continuously carried forward by the younger generation of alumni.

Academician Xu encouraged younger alumni to inherit the fine traditions of TU Clausthal alumni, transform alumni bonds into a force for mutual support, turn professional strengths into resources for practical cooperation, and convert their deep affection for the alma mater into concrete actions serving both the university and fellow alumni. He expressed his hope that the new Council would continue to uphold the spirit of mentorship and mutual support, bring together alumni of all generations, and build the TU Clausthal Chinese Alumni Association into an alumni community with stronger cohesion, better service capacity, and greater influence.

Chairman Wan Gang then delivered an important speech and engaged in in-depth discussions with the alumni. He fully affirmed the important role of the Alumni Association, emphasizing that it is first and foremost an organization through which senior and younger alumni can support, learn from, and empower one another. At the same time, it serves as a bridge linking the alma mater with China, a bond that enhances Sino-German friendship and promotes mutual understanding and cooperation in all dimensions, and an open platform oriented toward industrial development and future cooperation scenarios. Looking ahead, Chairman Wan encouraged TU Clausthal alumni to make full use of their German engineering and scientific background, professional expertise, and cross-cultural communication strengths to play a greater role in advancing Sino-German scientific and technological exchange and promoting industrial innovation cooperation.

The discussion focused on key issues related to national development, including trends in China’s new energy vehicle industry, pathways for breakthroughs in scientific and technological innovation, mechanisms for industry-university-research collaborative innovation, and the prospects for Sino-German cooperation in high-tech sectors. Drawing on his extensive experience in new energy and technological innovation, Chairman Wan offered insightful analysis of industry challenges and opportunities of the times. He encouraged TU Clausthal alumni to continue cultivating expertise in their respective professional fields, strengthen efforts in core technological research, and contribute the strength of TU Clausthal alumni to Sino-German scientific and technological exchange and China’s industrial upgrading.

Beyond the in-depth discussions on industry and innovation, the meeting was also a warm reunion of TU Clausthal alumni across generations. The atmosphere was open and close-knit, filled with a strong sense of alumni friendship. Senior alumni generously shared their experience, while younger alumni spoke actively and demonstrated remarkable vitality and creativity. Senior schoolmates listened attentively to the questions and concerns of younger alumni regarding study, research, and career development, offering sincere and professional advice. Through warm dialogue and candid sharing, the TU Clausthal tradition of guidance, support, and mentorship was carried forward amid laughter and friendship.

The successful convening of the Expanded Council Meeting and Alumni Exchange Symposium was not only a meaningful gathering of friendship and wisdom, but also a new starting point for the TU Clausthal Chinese Alumni Association to build consensus, pool resources, and move forward together. In the future, the Association will continue to uphold its mission of “bringing together alumni wisdom, serving the development of the alma mater, and jointly creating a new future for the Chinese Alumni Association”. It will strive to make every gathering a new connection, and ensure that every alumnus and alumna is seen, supported, and brought into the community.

With gratitude to the senior alumni who pioneered this remarkable journey, and with high expectations for the younger alumni who will carry it forward, we move ahead together — warmed by reunion and united for the future. We look forward to an even more wonderful gathering next time.