December 23 witnessed the grand conclusion of the Antai Alumni New Year Concert & Annual Awards Ceremony at the Centennial Wen Zhi Hall of Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Xuhui Campus. More than a thousand alumni from various programs such as undergraduate, master’s, MBA, EMBA, and EE, along with faculty members, guests from all walks of life, and university friends, gathered to celebrate the new year and witness the birth of honor. The event was also broadcast live online, attracting nearly 10,000 views. The Moscow City Symphony Orchestra graced the audience with a symphony of love, delivering a splendid musical feast. The concert was sponsored and supported by Shuofeng Culture & Tourism (Group) Co., Ltd., an Antai alumni enterprise.

Starting at 5:30 PM, the Wen Zhi Hall buzzed excitedly as alumni reconnected, reminiscing about their student days and expressing gratitude towards their alma mater. Shanghai Jiao Tong University's leadership, including Vice President Zhang Ansheng and leaders from the Antai College of Economics and Management, engaged warmly with the alumni, discussing prospects.

The event officially began at 6 PM to a full house, hosted by Stone Jingyu, EMBA 2018, and Xu Mengdi, MBA 2022. Vice President Zhang Ansheng opened the ceremony, emphasizing the impact of alumni contributions on a university's reputation and highlighting the collective efforts that have led to SJTU's rapid advancement in various fields. The Antai Alumni New Year Concert is a hallmark event of Antai's alumni brand, and he expressed his wishes for the event's success and urged alumni to continue working alongside their alma mater towards greater achievements.

Honoring Achievements and Pursuing Dreams

Since 2012, the college has hosted the Annual Alumni and Alumni Organization Awards, now in its eleventh year. The awards ceremony is a major highlight, celebrating achievements in various categories. This year, 37 awards were presented across six categories. Vice President Zhang Ansheng, Dean Chen Fangruo, Secretary Jiang Wenning, and Vice Dean Tian Xinmin jointly presented trophies to the award-winning alumni and representatives of alumni organizations and partners, acknowledging their contributions to the college, alumni cohesion, and societal advancement in 2023.

Performances by three major alumni performance groups were also a highlight. The China CEO Club Choir, MBA Dance Team, and EMBA Choir with EMBA Lingxiu Hui captivated the audience with their talents.

Welcoming the New Year with Harmonious Tunes

Dean Chen Fangruo extended New Year's greetings to all alumni, expressing heartfelt gratitude for their continuous support and summarizing the college's achievements over the past year. Antai has established itself as one of China's top business schools, achieving significant progress in various areas. Dean Chen mentioned the fifth anniversary of the college's industry research initiative and expressed hopes for increased alumni involvement in building a vibrant new business ecosystem. He wished everyone a wonderful evening and a joyous start to the new year with beautiful melodies.

Celebrating the Old, Welcoming the New with Elegance

At 7:25 PM, the 2024 Antai Alumni New Year Concert commenced with the audience's warm applause. Led by the internationally acclaimed conductor Andrei Shlyachkov, the Moscow City Symphony Orchestra, also known as the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, took to the stage. Founded in 1939 and lauded for exemplary performances, the orchestra played beloved pieces, including Li Huanzhi's "Spring Festival Overture," Tchaikovsky's "Spanish Dance," and more, immersing the audience in poetic melodies. Soprano Nazirova Aishiru's renditions further captivated the audience, leading to another high point in the concert.

In a gesture of cultural appreciation and future cooperation, Dean Chen Fangruo and Conductor Andrei Shlyachkov exchanged flags for the college and the orchestra. The concert concluded with a standing ovation as the orchestra played Johann Strauss II's "Thunder and Lightning Polka," with Dean Chen invited to conduct, elevating the finale.

The magnificent performance by the Moscow City Symphony Orchestra made for an unforgettable evening. As a new year beckons, we wish all Antai community members health, happiness, and a prosperous journey forward, carrying the spirit of gratitude and pride in our alma mater into a brighter future.