In commemorating the 120th anniversary of Beijing Normal University, the Beijing Normal University Law School Alumni Association convened a momentous general meeting of member representatives on August 18, 2022. This event, aimed at fostering stronger ties among alumni, and between alumni and their alma mater, was a pivotal step towards the collective growth of alumni and the advancement of academic disciplines. The meeting, which blended physical and virtual attendance, was a resounding success. The gathering was graced by the presence of distinguished leaders and guests, including Chen Guangju, Vice President of the Beijing Normal University Alumni Association, Fan Wenxia, the Secretary General, Lu Jianping, Vice President Xiong Yuemin, and Vice President Wei Bintian. Among the over 60 alumni representatives in attendance were notable figures such as Zhang Li, a graduate from the 1995 undergraduate program, Chen Guozhi, a graduate from the 1996 undergraduate program, Luo Shuang, a graduate from the 2001 undergraduate program, and Luo Li, a graduate from the 2003 LL.M. program. The event also drew the participation of faculty, including Liang Yingxiu, Dean of the Law School, Chai Rong, Secretary of the Party Committee, Guo Yating, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Cai Wen, another Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Yuan Zhijie, Vice Dean, Liu Hang, Director of the Law School Office, and Xu Xiaoyu, Director of the Office of the Criminal Law Science, among others.
The promotional film "The Voice of Muduo" for Beijing Normal University encapsulated the heart and soul of the institution, serving as a poignant prelude to the meeting. Cai Wen, the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Law School, skillfully moderated the opening ceremony of the conference's inaugural session. In a harmonious display of unity and pride, all attendees, including guests and alumni, joined voices to sing the "Beijing Normal University Anthem," offering their collective well-wishes to BNU.
Vice President Chen Guangju, reflecting on the significant centennial anniversary of Beijing Normal University and the formation of the Beijing Normal University Law School Alumni Association, took a nostalgic glance at the institution's illustrious past while casting a hopeful eye toward a brighter future. Vice President Chen outlined the strategic blueprint of the school's 13th Party Congress and elaborated on the "one body, two wings" educational paradigm. He delineated the ideological orientation, focal points of work, and key initiatives undertaken by the alumni association since 2018, advocating for the unity and leadership of Beijing law alumni in upholding the spirit of their predecessors and contributing to the growth and enhancement of their alma mater and the college's infrastructure. In conclusion, Vice President Chen Guangju extended warm regards to the delegates present and expressed deep gratitude to the alumni whose unwavering support has been instrumental in the development and advancement of the university and the school.
Dean Liang Yingxiu provided an exhaustive overview of the development and talent cultivation within the legal discipline at Beijing Normal University. Since the inception of the undergraduate law program in 1995, through the establishment of the law department in 2002, the founding of the College for Criminal Law Science in 2005, and the subsequent acceleration of the discipline's growth following the creation of the Law School in 2006, the journey has been marked by significant milestones. This progress continued with the initiation of the law discipline construction at the Zhuhai campus in 2019, showcasing the steady advancement of legal education in Normal University. Currently, the Law School of Beijing Normal University boasts a distinguished faculty and a constellation of exceptional scholars, which has established a comprehensive and high-caliber talent cultivation system encompassing bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The "Elite Experimental Class" and "Maxdo Experimental Class" in undergraduate education have set a solid foundation for nurturing legal talent. The B+ rating in the fourth national discipline evaluation, the outstanding fourth-place ranking in the QS university rankings, and the tenth-place standing in the Soft Science University rankings all testify to the stellar accomplishments of the legal discipline's development at Beijing Normal University.
Under the leadership of Vice Dean Yuan Zhijie, the meeting entered the second unit - the revision and review of the management measures for the Beijing Normal University Law School Alumni Association and election for new term.
Associate Professor Shang Haowen reported on the preparation for the election of the Beijing Normal University Law School Alumni Association, conveying the overall requirements of the Alumni Association for the management of secondary alumni associations and relevant matters in the preparation work for the member representative assembly. Associate Professor Shang Haowen introduced the method of selecting 68 member representatives, explained the revised content of the management measures for the Beijing Normal University Law School Alumni Association, and submitted it for review by member representatives. The member representatives unanimously agreed to adopt the management measures.
Afterwards, member representatives conducted WeChat group voting to elect the recommended candidates for the board of directors. Alumni Tian Haixin and Gao Yang serve as scrutineers. Twenty-six directors, including Zhang Li, a graduate from the 1995 undergraduate program, were elected. Subsequently, the board of directors voted on the organizational structure of the alumni association, with alumni Huang Xiaofeng and Cheng Yinan serving as scrutineers. The Council elected Liang Yingxiu as the President, Chai Rong as the Executive Vice President, Yuan Zhijie, Guo Yating, Zhang Li, and Zhou Hua as Vice Presidents, and Shang Haowen as the Secretary General. In addition, the council appointed three highly respected professors, Gao Mingxuan, Jiang Ping, and Chu Huaizhi, as advisors to the Beijing Normal University Law School Alumni Association, and two teachers, Liu Hang and Xu Xiaoyu, as deputy secretaries general of the Beijing Normal University Law School Alumni Association.
In the presence of member representatives, President Liang Yingxiu, Vice President Yuan Zhijie, Vice President Guo Yating and Vice President Zhou Hua jointly unveiled the "Beijing Normal University Law School Alumni Association", and President Liang Yingxiu launched the "Beijing Normal University Law School Alumni" WeChat official account.
Subsequently, Kang Wenjuan, a graduate from the 2009 JM program, delivered a speech on behalf of the alumni. She recalled her youthful years at Beijing Normal University, shared her personal growth and transformation at the university, as well as warm memories with her teachers and friends. She expressed sincere gratitude to her alma mater and the Law School for their cultivation.
Vice President Chai Rong emphasized the four development directions of the Beijing Normal University Law School Alumni Association from the perspective of long-term development and sustainable construction: building an alumni contact platform, establishing a normal mechanism for alumni work, creating a culture of Beijing Law alumni, and doing a good job in alumni service. Finally, Vice President Chai Rong emphasized that adhering to the concept of "the prosperity of the alma mater leads to the prosperity of the alumni, and the strength of the alumni leads to the prosperity of the alma mater", the Beijing Normal University Law School Alumni Association will work together with all alumni to promote the prosperity and development of the university, school, and alumni.
The third unit of the meeting - Teachers, students, and alumni’s discussion of the future together, chaired by Vice President Guo Yating.
Liu Chao, a graduate from the 2008 JM program, recounted his odyssey of forging ties with the Law School, drawing from his personal educational and professional endeavors. Aligning with the strategic development of his alma mater, he articulated a vision for cultivating legal talent at Beijing Normal University. Liu advocated for the creation of a multifaceted alumni network and a sustainable framework that leverages the professional expertise of BNU Law School graduates to bolster the practical legal training for current students. Furthermore, he championed the notion of giving back to the institution through the establishment and contributions to the BNU Law School Fund, thereby fostering the advancement of both the school and its alumni community.
Qi Yanwei, a graduate from the 2009 LL.M. program, also proposed suggestions for the development of the alumni association to the Law School based on his own work experience. For example, alumni in professional fields can provide career planning guidance to law students on campus, and the alumni association can serve as a platform to provide legal aid and support to alumni. He also expressed sincere wishes to the Law School and alumni association.
Hao Lijia, a graduate from the 2006 undergraduate program, shared her narrative with Beijing Normal University, painting a portrait of the teacher through the themes of "resilience" and "self-improvement." Embracing the challenges of life's vicissitudes, she valued the mentorship of the teachers around her and conveyed her deepest blessings and best wishes for Beijing Normal University and its Law School.
Amidst the vibrant exchange among alumni, the general meeting of Beijing Normal University Law School Alumni Association representatives concluded successfully. This meeting marks a fresh beginning for alumni initiatives in the legal sphere and will inject a new momentum into the advancement of the discipline and the Law School.
Reviewed by | Cai Wen and Shang Haowen
Writer | Liu Yue