On the evening of July 19, 2023, in conjunction with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Power and Energy Society (PES) General Meeting, the North America Alumni Association of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA), Tsinghua University gathered both attending and local alumni for 2023 Annual Meeting of North America Tsinghua EEA Alumni Association.

At the 2023 Annual Meeting of the North America Tsinghua EEA Alumni Association

The event was hosted by EEA, Tsinghua University and organized by the North America Tsinghua EEA Alumni Association. Distinguished guests included Ms. Jessica J. Bian, Chair of IEEE PES; Professor C. Y. Chung, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and Chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Ms. Li Rongmei, Deputy Director of the Carbon Neutrality Industry Collaboration Center at the China Energy Research Society. Alumni from over fifty domestic and international institutions attended, including professors such as Tong Lang, Xie Le, Yao Liangzhong, Dong Xuzhu, Wang Fei, and Sun Kai. Faculty members including Wu Wenchuan, Guo Qinglai, Zhang Ning, Guo Hongye, Wang Peng, and Lin Chenhui, along with ten postdoctoral fellows and students, were also present.

The event was hosted by alumni Yang Rui and Lin Yuzhang.

The opening interactive session set the tone for the event, with alumni engaging in a series of fun and informative quizzes prepared by alumnus Zhao Dongbo (admitted to EEA in 2004). This activity not only brought alumni closer together but also infused the event with energy and enthusiasm. During this session, attendees made new friends, reconnected with old acquaintances, reminisced about their time at Tsinghua, shared their career developments, and filled the atmosphere with laughter and joy.

Alumnus Zhao Dongbo organizing the opening interactive session

Lively and cheerful alumni interaction

Amidst the vibrant atmosphere, invited guests delivered speeches. Ms. Jessica J. Bian expressed gratitude for the support of the Department of Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University and its alumni toward IEEE PES. She shared her experiences and insights from working in the power industry. Ms. Li Rongmei took a reflective look at the past, present, and future, expressing earnest expectations for the alumni. Professor Zhong Zhiyong praised the energetic atmosphere of the alumni gathering and outlined his vision for the upcoming IEEE PES presidency campaign.

Speech by Ms. Jessica J. Bian, Chair of IEEE PES

Speech by Ms. Li Rongmei, Deputy Director of the Carbon Neutrality Industry Collaboration Center at China Energy Research Society

Speech by Professor Zhong Zhiyong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Subsequently, representatives of Tsinghua alumni took the stage to share their achievements and experiences in their respective fields. Lin Xi, admitted to the Department of Precision Instruments in 1992, discussed differences in workplace culture between China and the United States. Huang Zhenyu, a Ph.D. alumnus admitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering in 1994, shared his experiences working at a U.S. national laboratory. Guo Qinglai, admitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering in 1996, shared his experiences working at Tsinghua University. Chen Xin, admitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering in 2011, shared her experiences studying and seeking employment in the United States. The humorous and witty speeches of these alumni bridged the gap among the attendees. After individual speeches, a roundtable discussion allowed four alumni to reminisce about their time at Tsinghua, igniting shared memories among the participants and providing valuable career advice from diverse perspectives.

Speech by alumnus Lin Xi

Speech by alumnus Huang Zhenyu

Speech by alumnus Guo Qinglai

Speech by alumnus Chen Xin.

Roundtable discussion among guest alumni

The development of the electrical discipline relies heavily on the establishment of high-quality academic journals. iEnergy, an international journal launched by the Department of Electrical Engineering at Tsinghua University during its 90th-anniversary celebration, was recognized at the alumni meeting. Wenchuan Wu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Department of Electrical Engineering, presented editorial certificates to Professor Xie Le, senior manager Zhao Dongbo, and Associate Professor Lu Xiaonan, who are all editors of the journal.

Presentation of iEnergy journal editorial certificates

Following the sharing session, Professor Kang Chongqing, President of the Tsinghua EEA Alumni Association, Dean of EEA, and President ofInstitute for Energy Internet Research, Tsinghua University, presented the recent developments and achievements of the department, alumni initiatives, and talent recruitment policies through online participation.

Presentation by Professor Kang Chongqing on departmental developments, alumni initiatives, and talent recruitment policies

Finally, the attending alumni posed for a group photo, marking the conclusion of the alumni association’s annual meeting. The event ended with a sense of longing for the year ahead and the anticipation of future reunions.

Group photo of attending alumni