In the wake of the inaugural Jiangsu University Overseas Chinese Alumni Forum, an atmosphere of aspiration and shared purpose filled the university’s small auditorium on October 15, 2025. The School of Management’s subsequent Alumni Day Interaction Session was not merely a ceremonial gathering, but a profound dialogue between accomplished past and promising future. The session served as a vital conduit, channeling the hard-won wisdom of former students into the eager minds of current graduate candidates.

Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Zhiwen Li, alongside senior faculty members including Prof. Jincai Zhuang and Vice Dean Mr. Wang Bing of the Overseas Education College, presided over a session that quickly moved beyond platitudes. Dr. Eric Yaw Naminse (Class of 2016) set a powerful tone by grounding his success in a narrative of relentless discipline. He candidly recounted the grueling schedule of his PhD years, where his commitment was measured by the arrival and departure of his professor. “I made it a rule to be seated before my professor arrived in the morning, and I would not leave until he had departed, often as late as 11 PM,” Dr. Naminse shared. What he once perceived as an ordeal, he now recognizes as the foundational training for professional excellence, instilling in him an unwavering sense of punctuality and the stamina for long, focused work.

Building on this theme of immersive dedication, Dr. Naminse offered a crucial piece of advice that extends beyond the library and laboratory. He urged the international students to consciously integrate into the cultural fabric of the university and China at large. “Consider your professors and colleagues as family,” he advised, “and immerse yourselves in the local culture. This endeavor is what forges you into a bridge between communities, making your education a truly transformative experience.” This sentiment culminated in a heartfelt tribute to his supervisor, Prof. Jincai Zhuang, whom he credited not only for his academic and professional grooming but also for profound personal support, a bond so deep he was “adopted as a son.” He similarly acknowledged the consistent encouragement and collaborative spirit fostered by the OEC and tutors like Mr. Wang Bing, highlighting the critical role of a supportive institutional ecosystem.

If Dr. Naminse’s narrative was one of structured discipline, Dr. Sheikh Farhan Ashraf’s (Class of 2020) testimony was a powerful lesson in mental fortitude. Echoing the necessity of commitment, he added the critical components of focus and perseverance, particularly when confronting the inevitable setbacks of academic life. He spoke directly to the shared frustrations of manuscript rejections, the labyrinthine challenges of dissertation writing, and the trauma of thesis defense.

Dr. Ashraf’s strategy for managing this pressure was strikingly human. “Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I would board Bus 19 and travel through the town,” he recounted. This simple act was a metaphor for his core message: “Do not be in a rush; allow yourself to go through the process. It is the process that refines you into the best version of yourself, but only if you truly subject yourself to it.” His most poignant advice, however, came from profound personal loss. Citing the tragic demise of his son, he elaborated on the necessity of composure and thoughtful decision-making even in the face of unimaginable grief. “It is vital to know what you can control and what you cannot,” he stated, warning of the dangers of impulsivity and illustrating how a managed response was essential to preserving his mental health and academic trajectory.

During the vibrant Q&A session, the theoretical seamlessly merged with the practical. Participants, energized by the candid revelations, probed into the balancing of family, finances, collaborations, and friendships. The alumni responded not with abstract theories, but with lived experiences, using their personal stories as a reference manual for navigating the complex ecosystem of postgraduate life.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Zhiwen Li masterfully synthesized the essence of the dialogue. “Today, we have witnessed more than just success stories; we have seen a blueprint for building character,” he stated. “Dr. Naminse has shown us that excellence is a habit forged in the daily fire of discipline, while Dr. Ashraf has demonstrated that resilience is the anchor that holds us fast in the storm. Their journeys underscore a fundamental truth: at the School of Management, we are not just educating scholars; we are cultivating global citizens and future leaders. The bridges you build here — with your professors, your peers, and this culture — will be the very structures upon which you build your legacy.”

The session concluded not as an end, but as a new beginning. It left the current students with a resonant message: their academic journey, for all its challenges, is a deliberate and transformative process, one that prepares them not just to succeed in their fields, but to lead with wisdom, resilience, and a global perspective.