Across Vast Lands, Heilongjiang University Has Me.On September 19, the University’s Homecoming Day for alumni, marking the 85th anniversary of its founding, kicked off on the Main Building Square. University leaders and alumni from all generations gathered to celebrate the 85th birthday of their alma mater.

At the registration session, faculty, students and alumni representatives staged a wonderful live performance. Songs such as We Met Somewhere Before, The Story of Time and Bird of Happiness voiced the love for the university and pride in being a Heilongjiang University member shared by all HLUers.

During the opening ceremony, attending university leaders pinned university badges on alumni representatives from different eras. Generations of HLUers have journeyed from youthful black hair to grey temples, from teenagers to pillars of society. Their life paths may differ, yet they all bear the proud title: “HLUer”.

Chi Baoxu presented the alumni association flag to the Harbin Alumni Association on behalf of the university. Alumni from all walks of life are expected to uphold the spirit of the alma mater and live up to the motto: Where I stand, there stands Heilongjiang University.

Wang Jingbo delivered a speech at the event. On behalf of the university, she extended a warm welcome to alumni returning from across the country. She reviewed the university’s origins in Yan’an and its long history rooted in Heilongjiang Province. She encouraged all HLUers to stay true to their original aspiration and mission, and embody responsibility and dedication. She noted that a rich array of campus experiences had been carefully arranged for this Homecoming Day. She expressed hopes that alumni could revisit their youthful days, personally feel the spiritual legacy passed down through generations of HLUers, and experience the deep, inseparable bond linking them to their alma mater.

More than 400 alumni took part in this Homecoming Day. The oldest cohort represented the Class of 1961, while the youngest were graduates of this year. This marks the first time in the university’s 85-year history that a dedicated homecoming date has been set for alumni, lending special significance to this cross-generational reunion across time.

Following the opening ceremony, alumni visited the University History Museum to trace Heilongjiang University’s arduous founding and development. They strolled around campus to witness the alma mater’s rapid transformation, and joined well-organized activities including a campus marathon, sports get-togethers, parent-child science workshops and themed class reunions. Many lingered at the cultural and creative market hosted by the Harbin Alumni Association and enjoyed nostalgic lunches at the Gezhiyuan Canteen. Through these events, the emotional ties between alumni and the university have grown stronger, and the shared commitment to loving and honouring Heilongjiang University among HLUers at home and abroad has been further consolidated.

The university will continue to improve its alumni service system and build more platforms for exchange and collaboration. It will unite and pool the wisdom and strength of all alumni, who will march in step with the alma mater to write a new chapter of high-quality development for Heilongjiang University.

(Photographers: Xu Ke, Zhang Tong, Hu Junhao, Jia Zeyao, Wang Guijiao, Zhao Wenxin, Feng Rui, Feng Xue, Ye Yunrui, Mi Ruiying)