A representative speaks at the conference marking the founding of the Toronto Association for Yunnan University Alumni. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

The Toronto Association for Yunnan University (YNU) Alumni was established at a conference held at the University of Toronto, on Nov 10.

YNU alumni from Toronto gathered at the conference to discuss ways to develop the university and examine the regulations of the organization. The council members, and the president, vice-presidents and secretary-general of the council for the alumni association were elected during the event. 

Lyu Zhenghong, who graduated from YNU in 1979, is now an academician of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and professor of Toronto University, was elected the first president of the Toronto Association for YNU Alumni. 

Speaking at the conference, Lyu recalled his experiences while studying at YNU, and then shared his opinions on how best to develop the alumni association. 

He suggested improving the regulations of the association and strengthening exchanges with YNU in scientific research, training skilled workers and providing social services as part of efforts to promote the development of the university. 

He also mentioned that YNU should further improve services for its alumni, to ensure that former students remained loyal to the university. 

On behalf of Yang Lin, Party secretary of YNU and Lin Wenxun, president of YNU, Dong Likun, director of YNU’s teaching assessment office, spoke at the conference to extend congratulations on the establishment of the association. 

In his speech, he expressed his thanks to alumni members, be they in China or overseas, for their support and care for YNU.

He said that alumni are a treasured element of a university and that Toronto alumni association would continue strengthening itself to contribute to the development of YNU. 

The founding of Toronto alumni association increases the number of YNU alumni associations in Canada to two, with the other association based in Vancouver. 

Participants at the conference marking the founding of the Toronto Association for Yunnan University Alumni pose for photographs. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]