Jointly organised by Cambridge University Development and Alumni Relations Office (CUDAR) and CUNJC, the "2022 Annual Gathering of Cambridge Alumni Representatives" was held successfully at CUNJC on the afternoon of 22 November, 2022.

Ms. Clare Monaghan, Director of Alumni Engagement of Cambridge University, attended the event online, Prof. Daping Chu, Academic Director and CEO of CUNJC, Dr. Nan Ma, Senior Associate Director - International (Asia) of CUDAR, Dr. Chris Pearson, Cambridge-Nanjing Centre Programme Manager, attended the event at the Centre. Nearly 20 outstanding alumni representatives from Cambridge University Shanghai Alumni Association, Oxbridge Beijing Alumni Association, Oxbridge Shanghai Alumni Association, Oxbridge Jiangsu and Zhejiang Alumni Association, Cambridge Shenzhen Alumni Association (preparation) participated in the annual gathering.

Professor Chu gave a brief introduction to the Centre and its development orientation. He emphasized that in the past 800 years, Cambridge University has always adhered to the mission of "contributing to society by pursuing the highest international level of education, study and research", and this concept has not only been supported by students, scholars and professionals, but has also been recognised by global alumni.

"The Centre is committed to building a high-level professional research platform, cultivating outstanding talents at home and abroad, expanding its influence, and striving to create a good condition for the University of Cambridge to carry out wider cooperation in China and provide comprehensive support," Professor Chu shared, "As the supporting hub of the University in China, the Centre has good hardware conditions and a full-time staff team. It will continue to assist Cambridge alumni to better connect with the University, and provide solid support for exchanges and cooperation among alumni.”

Director Monaghan introduced the unique role and strategic goals of CUDAR online. She said that the focus of alumni work is to connect with global alumni more extensively. It is not only to build the connection between Cambridge University and alumni, but also to promote exchanges among alumni, so that alumni can understand the latest trends of the University, and at the same time help alumni to benefit better social progress and development.

Dr. Ma briefly introduced development affairs in Asia. He said that the visit to the Centre is his first time to China since the pandemic. He is very grateful to the Centre for organising such an event, which enabled CUDAR to communicate with Chinese alumni organisations and representatives.

Representatives from Cambridge University Shanghai Alumni Association, Oxbridge Beijing Alumni Association, Oxbridge Shanghai Alumni Association, and Oxbridge Jiangsu and Zhejiang Alumni Association introduced themselves and events they have organised, and shared their personal experience in alumni liaison. They also put forward some ideas for promoting alumni liaison. Among them, Ms. Ni Huan, an alumna from Shanghai, said that Cambridge University has been leading in many cutting-edge fields. As an alumna, she is very proud and hopes to learn more about the key concerns of the University and expects more alumni to devote themselves to public welfare undertakings, such as low-carbon environmental protection actions. As a young entrepreneur, alumnus Deng Yuanbo suggested to organise China's Cambridge entrepreneurs in an institutional way to form a joint force of innovation.

Professor Chu, Director Monaghan, and Dr. Ma, together with alumni representatives, also had an in-depth discussion on alumni development, focusing on the work of the Alumni Association, the alumni liaison of CUNJC, and the development of alumni events.

The CUDAR exists to create and support an educated and engaged global community of Cambridge advocates, ambassadors and supporters. It aims to keep alumni informed about the development of the University, to offer a wide range of programmes, events and benefits which meet alumni needs, and to foster links between alumni wherever they are in the world.

CUNJC is a supporting hub for the comprehensive development of Cambridge University in China. Since its establishment, it has actively supported the development of Cambridge alumni groups in China, and has always maintained good contact with Cambridge alumni groups and organisations. The Centre has held a number of Cambridge University undergraduate and graduate admissions briefings, invited outstanding alumni to guide students in China for their application for studying abroad; held alumni innovation salons to share innovative practical experience; organised Cambridge alumni companies to participate in the Centre's international technology roadshows, providing them with opportunities to connect with well-known capital, industrial parks and corporate demand. It has been supporting alumni to develop innovative careers and providing services for alumni's technology start-up’s landing at the Centre.

Represented by the Cambridge alumni group, excellent talent resources are the intellectual support for the development of the Centre. The Centre will continue to play the role of a hub to create a sense of belonging and identity for Cambridge alumni, act as a "connector" between Cambridge and China, an "engine" of technological development, and an "accelerator" of innovation and entrepreneurship. It will serve top talents well including the Cambridge alumni group, and promote the two-way connection between local demand and international resources.