On June 30th, Beijing time, convened by the Latin America Center of Tsinghua University, Tsinghua Latin American alumni and students gathered online to share the future along with the Center. This is the first Latin American alumni meeting organized by the Center. A total of 13 alumni and students participated in the meeting. They were from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, among others.

At the beginning of the meeting, Professor Chen Taotao, director of the Latin America Center, gave a comprehensive introduction to the alumni and students in terms of the Center's establishment background, purpose, organizational structure, development strategy and work progress. She mentioned that when the Center was established, President Qiu Yong of Tsinghua University personally went to Chile to participate in the unveiling ceremony. At the ceremony, he especially emphasized the Center will definitely promote cultural exchanges between students from China and Latin American countries, strengthen the presence of Tsinghua in Latin America and the connections between alumni in Latin America, and promote the continuous contribution and important role of Tsinghua alumni to the local economic development. Professor Chen said the Center originally planned to organize an alumni meeting when APEC was to held in Chile last year. However, due to the social unrest in Chile in October, 2019, APEC was cancelled; then affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the alumni meeting was not held as scheduled. Today's meeting online is very valuable and meaningful in this special period. It allows our alumni and students from various countries in Latin America gather, get to know each other, strengthen contacts without geographic restrictions, and lay the foundation of cooperation for the future.

Latin American alumni and students of Tsinghua University gathering online

The alumni and students congratulated the establishment of Tsinghua Latin America Center. Combining their own experience, they provided suggestions for the future development of the Center. They expressed that as Tsinghua alumni and students, they are very willing to contribute to the development of the University and cooperation between China and Latin America, along with the Center:

At present, Latin American countries lack in-depth knowledge of Tsinghua University and China. I am willing to act as an ambassador to share my experience with them, and tell them what I know of Tsinghua University and China.

-Sussan Moreno, Peru

I think the Center can serve as a platform between China and Latin America, helping researchers from China and Latin America establish contacts and promote cooperation, and help Latin America understand China.

-Cadu Whately, Brazil

Many Latin Americans are willing to go abroad to study, and China can provide good opportunities. Tsinghua University has very good educational resources, but people in Latin America know few about this. I think the Latin America Center can build a bridge between China and Latin America and establish a good image of Tsinghua University in Latin American countries. I am very willing to serve as an ambassador to promote Tsinghua University to people of Latin America.

-Victor Deantes, Mexico

I would like to participate in the activities of the Center. Tsinghua has an online summer school program. We have many connections with universities in our country, and I am willing to support this activity in the form of seminars or lectures.

-Gabriela Lenis, Argentina

Covid-19 has produced a huge impact on Latin America. China has successful experience in responding to the pandemic. I think the Center can consider organizing medical experience exchanges on Covid-19. I am very willing to participate and provide assistance.

-Johny Cabrera, Ecuador

I think the Center can consider increasing the propaganda of admission programs of Tsinghua University and provide Latin American students with a guide to studying abroad so that they can learn more about the programs.

-Patricio Rivera, Chile

I hope to learn more about the activities of the Center in the future and look forward to participating in them.

-Tzu-hsin Shen, Chile

I hope that more events like this can be held in the future, so that everyone can get to know each other, discuss different topics, and contribute to the globalisation of Tsinghua University.

-Liu Weilin, China

After listening to alumni's suggestions, Professor Chen expressed her gratitude and responded to them one by one. She said in the closing speech of the meeting that the purpose of the establishment of the Center is to help the career development of alumni, and bring them closer. The Center welcomes alumni to offer their opinions and suggestions, and looks forward to working with them in the promotion of exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and Latin American people. Finally, she reminded that Latin America is facing a serious public health crisis, our alumni and students must take care of their health.