In Almaty, Kazakhstan, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, ZUFE alumni in academic regalia enthusiastically surrounded their principal for a group photo at the Republic Palace. They threw their mortarboards into the air. This was a transnational postponed ceremony.
Wei Jiang, deputy secretary of ZUFE’s Party Committee and vice president of ZUFE (leading executive work), flew thousands of miles to Almaty for the sacred ceremony. Wei presented ZUFE’s achievements to the Kazakhstani alumni, and he said earnestly, “ZUFE has never forgotten you. You are bridges between China and Kazakhstan, and you must seize the historic opportunity of our friendly cooperation, and integrate personal growth with ZUFE’s development and our nations’ collaborative frameworks, to become the outstanding alumni.” He sincerely invited the alumni to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of ZUFE and turned the tassels for 24 alumni who had missed the ceremony and took photos with them. Wei also helped them adjust their mortarboards. At this moment, there are no cultural barriers, no national boundaries, only the enduring bond between teacher and student.
Izmukhanov Mukhamed, who works for Allur (one of the automotive industry leaders in Kazakhstan), couldn’t contain his excitement. “I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 2022, but the diploma was mailed since I couldn’t attend the graduation ceremony due to the pandemic. I never thought I’d get another chance to experience a graduation ceremony, but today, my dream has become a reality.” he said.
Yelekova Kolganat, a purchasing manager at one of Kazakhstan’s top 100 companies, made a special trip from Astana to Almaty. “I’m here to reunite with my beloved teachers and to be a part of this extraordinary ceremony for my young schoolmates.”
The Kazakhstan Alumni Association (KAA) of ZUFE underwent a leadership transition during the ceremony. Zhurekbayeva Assel, newly elected as vice president, addressed the gathering, “I am committed to excellently serving our Kazakhstani alumni, ensuring our association plays a significant role in fostering economic collaboration and cultural exchanges between Zhejiang and Kazakhstan.” As the ceremony concluded, the alumni united in a chorus of blessings in front of the Republic Palace: “Happy 50th Anniversary to our beloved ZUFE!” The heartfelt blessings lingered in the air.
Faculty and alumni shared a nostalgic lunch, reminiscing about the past at noon. Sun Qin, a 2023 graduate, has been cherishing a video of her performance in the “Chinese Talent Show by International Students”, and shared this memory with teachers. The buns of Hangzhou, the affectionate advice of teachers, and the tide of Qiantang the white geese of Xueya Lake—each scene vividly brought back memories of their beloved ZUFE.
Rich in Hangzhou memories, deep in school bonds!
