On November 29, alumni of KU Leuven from China South gathered in Guangzhou to celebrate the 600th anniversary of their alma mater, KU Leuven, Belgium, as well as the first anniversary of the KU Leuven Alumni Chapter of China South, sharing in the grand occasion and rekindling their friendships.
Ranked 46th globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2026) and 60th in the QS World University Rankings (2026), KU Leuven is a top-tier university in Belgium. According to university statistics, over its 600-year history, the university has cultivated numerous outstanding talents, including anatomist Andreas Vesalius, astronomer Georges Lemaître, three Nobel laureates, 19 Belgian Prime Ministers, 5 Flemish Part Presidents, 16 International Federation Presidents, and 1 President of the European Union.
The university hosts international students from over 150 countries. Notably, in 2024, Chinese students surpassed Dutch students to become the largest international student group at the university. KU Leuven has educated thousands of alumni across various fields in China, including Ms. Xianling Qian, renowned as “Belgium’s Chinese Mother.”
During the event, Mr. Wim Peeters, Consul General of Belgium in Guangzhou and alumnus of KU Leuven, and Ms. Heping Chen (Anne Chen), Chair of the KU Leuven Alumni Chapter of China South, delivered opening speeches. They reviewed the university’s educational journey, expressed gratitude for the institution’s cultivation of a large number of outstanding talents for China and Belgium, and emphasized the significance of inheriting the “Leuven Spirit” in deepening exchanges and cooperation between China and Belgium in education, science and technology, culture, economy, medicine and etc.
The event featured remote greetings from Professor Peter Lievens, former Vice-Rector of KU Leuven; Ms. Martine Torfs, Head of KU Leuven International Office; Mr. David Lomastro, Consul General of Belgium in Hong Kong; and Mr. Justin Campbell, Chair, and Ms. Elke Ghysens, General Manager, of the Benelux-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce.
Alumni reminisced about their school days and looked back on the glorious 600-year history of Leuven. With active preparation by the Alumni Chapter Steering Committee, the event invited distinguished alumni from various disciplines to speak. Dr. Teng Gao, CEO of the Hong Kong Microelectronics R&D Institute; Professor Rouran Glen, Head of the Glen Medical Architecture Research Studio; Mr. Jianxiang He, Founding Partner of O-office Architects and Chair Professor at the School of Architecture, South China University of Technology; Ms. Yu Lin (Tina Lin) , Director of Public Affairs at EiSA International Education Group and Executive Principal of EiSA Guangzhou; and Dr. Wufan Zhao, Assistant Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), shared their study experiences and career development insights under the theme “My Leuven Time,” providing inspiration for the alumni growth.
The interactive session was a riot of excitement, featuring a knowledge challenge covering diverse fields such as the history, art, and culture of Leuven, contributions of distinguished figures, Chinese elements, and the Nobel Prize. Alumni enthusiastically participated, revisiting the glory of their Alma Mater while winning commemorative gifts. During the free exchange period, everyone wrote their sincere blessings and best wishes for the university in the anniversary album meticulously designed by the Alumni Chapter Steering Committee.
This event not only highlighted the core spirit of excellence at KU Leuven but also further consolidated the cohesion of the alumni network in China South, injecting new momentum into future in-depth cooperation between China and Belgium across multiple fields.
Reporter: Liang Chen
