In the lush early summer of May, alumni from across the globe gathered in Beijing to attend the first Global Alumni Convention of Renmin University of China . From May 17 to 18, 2025, generations of RUC graduates reunited on campus to celebrate shared memories and renewed bonds.

On the afternoon of May 18, the School of Journalism and Communication (SJC) hosted a sub-forum titled Forum on the Disciplinary Development of the School of Journalism and Communication Toward 2035. Alumni from the Class of 1978 to the Class of 2016 returned to their alma mater to join school leaders, faculty members, and student representatives in envisioning the future blueprint for disciplinary development and discussing strategic goals for 2035.

Zhou Yong, Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication, delivered a heartfelt address in his triple capacity as alumnus, faculty member, and dean. Reflecting on the School’s development since its founding in 1955, he highlighted the enduring spirit passed down through generations. He also reported on recent progress from four key dimensions: disciplinary structure, talent cultivation, international outlook, and future planning.

“Alumni are the School’s most valuable asset,” Zhou emphasized. Over the past seventy years, SJC has nurtured more than ten thousand graduates who have gone on to excel in diverse fields. He expressed his hope that alumni and the School would continue to grow together and advance side by side.

Yan Yan, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of SJC, briefed alumni on the School’s three-year action plan for implementing the Outline for Building a Strong Education System (2024–2035). She introduced concrete measures in areas including disciplinary upgrading, talent training, scientific research, international exchange, and governance optimization. Looking ahead, the School will further clarify development goals, refine implementation pathways, and deepen alumni collaboration mechanisms, contributing wisdom and strength to the construction of an independent knowledge system for journalism and communication with Chinese characteristics.

During the roundtable discussion session, more than twenty alumni spanning different generations shared reflections on their student years and offered professional insights into industry transformations.

Many alumni put forward valuable suggestions for the School’s development. Hu Jianhui (Class of 1979, undergraduate) stressed the importance of cultivating students’ adaptability amid industry changes. Hu Bin (Class of 1995, master’s) advocated for deeper interaction between academia and industry, encouraging faculty to accumulate practical experience. Wei Hongfei (Class of 2005, undergraduate) called for strengthening students’ hands-on training. Ma Xiuying (Class of 2007, undergraduate) expressed delight at the revival of editing and publishing programs and hoped younger generations would carry forward innovation. Wang Yang (Class of 2007, undergraduate) shared her entrepreneurial experience, noting that communication and critical thinking skills endure longer than knowledge alone.

Alumni also demonstrated strong support for talent cultivation. Zhou Bo (Class of 1991, undergraduate) donated a collection of treasured handwritten newspapers and proposed gathering alumni growth stories to inspire younger students. Nian Hongmei (Class of 1996, undergraduate), currently working at China Media Group, expressed her willingness to fully support cooperation between the School and the media organization. Li Li (Class of 1996, undergraduate) fondly described the School as both a temple of knowledge and a cradle of love, pledging continued support for talent development. Gu Taiyun (Class of 2010, undergraduate) likewise expressed readiness to contribute to educational initiatives.

International communication emerged as a key topic of discussion. Xia Yuhua (Class of 1980, undergraduate) affirmed the achievements made in this field and expressed optimism about future development. Xu Hong (Class of 2001, undergraduate) called on young journalists to sharpen their writing skills to further deepen international communication. Liu Yuxiang (Class of 2003, undergraduate) noted that Chinese products serve as effective carriers for telling China’s stories well. Wang Jiayue (Class of 2016, undergraduate) suggested drawing on overseas experience to enhance China’s international discourse power in culture.

Alumni expressed their gratitude to the alma mater in diverse ways. Zhang Huizhong (Class of 1992, undergraduate) used humorous metaphors to convey his sincere willingness to contribute to the School’s development. Liu Wei (Class of 1983, undergraduate) shared personal growth stories and, on behalf of the Class of 1983, pledged unwavering support for the School’s future endeavors.

The enduring spirit of journalism ran through alumni remarks. Liu Xiaopeng (Class of 1997, undergraduate) reflected on the mission of journalists in the era of intelligent communication, emphasizing the importance of staying true to journalistic ideals. Liu Ying (Class of 2000, undergraduate) remarked that “journalism is the background color of life,” expressing lifelong pride in being a member of the RUC journalism community.

In his concluding remarks, Zhou Yong noted that while technology has evolved rapidly over the past seventy years, the journalist’s original aspiration—to shoulder social responsibility—has remained unchanged. He reaffirmed the School’s commitment to the goal of building a “world-class discipline with Chinese characteristics” and called on alumni to join hands with the School in nurturing new talent and opening new horizons for the journalism and communication profession.

This intergenerational reunion has written a moving chapter for the 70th anniversary of journalism education at Renmin University of China. Looking ahead, RUC journalists will continue to uphold their original aspirations, using words to record the times and images to document change, jointly painting an even brighter future for the School of Journalism and Communication.

Translator: Gong Shaojun, Li Guotao, Wang Sihan