Beihang University marked its 74th anniversary on October 25 with a joyous homecoming, welcoming over 2,500 alumni back to campus to celebrate its birthday. The alumni gathered to reconnect with their alma mater, renew bonds with faculty and old friends, and share aspirations for a promising future.

The 2026 Alumni Homecoming and Innovation Development Conference commenced at 10:00 AM in the Sunrise Concert Hall. The event was attended by over 800 participants, including Wang Yunpeng, Secretary of the CPC Beihang University Committee, other university leaders on campus, alumni reuniting in milestone years, heads of administrative and service departments, deans of schools and research institutes, and representatives of faculty and students.

The conference kicked off with the solemn national anthem.

On behalf of all faculty and students, Wang Yunpeng extended a warm welcome to homecoming alumni, sent greetings to Beihang community members worldwide, and expressed sincere gratitude to all sectors of society for their long-term care and support for the university's development. "After years apart, you have grown from young students into pillars of the nation," he remarked. The outstanding performance of alumni across all sectors stands as vivid testimony to the university's educational outcomes and a shining hallmark of its reputation. "Born for the nation and advancing alongside the nation, Beihang has marched into the forefront of China's higher education," Wang Yunpeng noted. The university has advanced the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent development, and has made progress across all undertakings with multiple breakthroughs. Landmark development indicators have achieved historic leaps, and breakthroughs have been achieved in building a world-class university with Chinese characteristics.

"While achievements are encouraging, the situation calls for greater endeavours,"Wang Yunpeng stressed. Under the guidance of the 15th Five-Year Plan, Beihang is rolling out the "1361 Initiative". Anchored in the goals of joining the ranks of world-class universities by 2030 and entering the forefront of world-class universities by 2035, the university is advancing three initiatives: reform-driven breakthroughs, interdisciplinary integration, and AI-enabled development. The university is implementing six flagship programmes including the Excellence Leadership Programme for Talent Cultivation and the Peak Building Plan for Disciplinary Development, to advance the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent development.

"Faculty, students and alumni are not only an emotional community with shared roots but also a community pursuing common goals," Wang Yunpeng said. He put forward three expectations to all Beihang members. First, consolidate the foundation of fostering virtue through education and support young people's growth. He sincerely invited alumni to join the education consortium for aerospace talent development, and encouraged alumni enterprises to offer platforms for student internships, practice and innovation and entrepreneurship. Second, deepen university-enterprise collaborative research to scale new heights in scientific and technological innovation. He hoped alumni would facilitate connections and demand matching, bring real-world industrial challenges back to campus, and work with the university to translate research outcomes into applications. Third, inherit the spirit of "Serving the Nation through Aerospace Endeavors" and pool strengths for united endeavours. He expected alumni to continue carrying forward the Beihang Spirit, demonstrating commitment in developing national strategic equipment, showing expertise in industrial sectors, and staying true to their original aspiration in ordinary posts.

Wang Yunpeng emphasized that each generation has its own Long March to forge ahead. On the new journey of the new era, he encouraged alumni to shoulder the mission of Beihang people, keep the country's top priorities in mind, integrate individual pursuits into the broader cause of the country and people, align professional development with national demands, develop a broad vision and achieve great things in advancing Chinese modernisation, and contribute Beihang's strength to building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation.

Deputy Secretary Cheng Bo reported on the university's development.

Wu Jian, representing the Class of 1986 celebrating their 40th reunion, addressed the conference. As an alumnus of the School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering, and founder of Chenxi Aviation, he extended birthday wishes and expressed gratitude for his educationat Beihang. "Looking back on my student days at Beihang, those memories come vividly to mind," he recalled his student life and entrepreneurial journey in inertial navigation, looking forward to deeper industry-university-research collaboration with the university and wishing Beihang continued prosperity.

Ji Feng, representing the Class of 1996 celebrating their 30th reunion, fondly remembered his campus years. As an alumnus of the School of Electric and Information Engineering and Deputy Director of the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, he shared insights gained over 30 years working on frontline aerospace missions. "My four years at Beihang are my most cherished youth memories and the foundation of my career," he said, pledging to always stand with Beihang, uphold the mission of aerospace dedication, forge ahead in his field, and contribute to the university's development.

Qian Zhansen, representing the Class of 2006 celebrating their 20th reunion, recounted his studies and career. As an alumnus of the School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering and Chief Technical Expert of Aviation Industry Corporation of China, he expressed excitement and pride over Beihang's rapid development. "Whenever the alma mater calls, we will be there," he pledged to act as a bridge between the university and industry, bringing industrial demands to campus and promoting Beihang's research achievements, while opening internship and employment channels for younger students.

Wang Yunpeng presented flags to representatives of regional and industry alumni associations newly established or re-elected in 2026.

Deputy Secretary Liu Shuchun and Vice President Lyu Jinhu unveiled the Low-Altitude Economy Alumni Enterprise Special Committee and the Commercial Aerospace Alumni Enterprise Special Committee.

Alumni from the Class of 1996 staged the skit "The Storyof Time." Classic scenes recreating campus life struck a chord with alumni, drawing cheers from the audience.

After the performance, alumni representatives presented bouquets to their teachers as a token of deep respect and gratitude for their nurturing guidance.

At the close of the conference, all attendees rose to their feet and offered sincere wishes to the alma mater to the melody of the university anthem "Look up at the Starry Sky."

Alumni took photos across campus, capturing precious moments of youth and friendship.

On the signature wall, they wrote heartfelt blessings for Beihang with sincere gratitude and high hopes for its future.

They toured the campus with family members, catching up with old classmates and sharing life stories.

16 international alumni from 11 countries returned to celebrate the 74th anniversary. They committed to continuing to serve as bridges connecting the global alumni community.

Guided tours were available at the Beijing Air and Space Museum and the University History Museum. Alumni lingered by exhibits, tracing Beihang's developmental journey and revisiting the pursuit of aerospace dreams.

The anniversary celebrations also featured a simultaneous Carnival across the three campuses in Beijing and Hangzhou, offering returning alumni a warm, home-like atmosphere and the joy of the festive occasion.

Editor: Liu Tingting