On February 3, during the Chinese festival of Little New Year, the Xiangya School of Medicine (Furong Laboratory) held a Strategic Consultation Meeting for its alumni entrepreneurs at Central South University. Alumni entrepreneurs from Xiangya, representing various fields nationwide, gathered to talk about strategies for achieving high-quality development. The meeting saw the attendance of key officials, including the Executive Vice President of Central South University, the Dean of Xiangya School of Medicine, and the Director of Furong Laboratory, Chen Xiang. Other attendees included Vice Presidents Chen Lizhang and Li Zhihong, representatives from Xiangya School of Medicine, Hospital Management, and the Office of Education Development and Alumni Affairs. Retired leaders, Hu Dongxu, Sun Zhenqiu, Peng Xinghua, Li Junjie, Li Guiyuan, Tian Yongquan, Cao Ya, and others were specially invited. The meeting was chaired by Vice President Li Zhihong.

In the preceding months of August, September, and October 2023, Hunan initiated three discussions on the return of Xiangya alumni. The Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Shen Xiaoming, stirred sentiments among Xiangya entrepreneurs with the statement, "Let Hunan businesses become even more popular in Hunan." Recently, the "Alumni Return to Hunan" initiative officially kicked off in Changsha, attended by Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Governor, Mao Weiming, who delivered a speech. The event included the announcement of the "Promotion of 'Alumni Return to Hunan' to Promote High-Quality Development Initiative," with five proposals directed at alumni worldwide. This alumni entrepreneur strategic consultation meeting was a positive response to these initiatives. Xiangya School of Medicine and Furong Laboratory aim to tap into alumni resources to contribute to the realization of the "Three Highs and Four News" blueprint.

During the meeting, Chen Lizhang extended a warm welcome and thanks to former leaders and alumni entrepreneurs on behalf of the school and Xiangya School of Medicine. He clarified the main purpose of the meeting, emphasizing the need for collective wisdom to provide a clear direction for Xiangya School of Medicine and Furong Laboratory for better and faster development. He expressed hope for closer connections in research collaboration and talent development between the school and alumni enterprises, making a more significant contribution to the medical field locally and nationally.

Vice Deans Huang Zhijun and Huang Gengwen of Xiangya School of Medicine presented reports on the overall situation and future plans of Furong Laboratory, as well as the plan for the 110th anniversary of Xiangya School of Medicine at Central South University. During the roundtable discussion, alumni entrepreneurs extensively discussed the integration of university-industry collaboration and the promotion of high-quality development for Furong Laboratory. Alumni unanimously agreed that Furong Laboratory should conduct more in-depth promotional activities, explore new models for the transformation of research results, and leverage resources for deeper and broader high-quality integrated development.

Concerning university-enterprise cooperation, Chen Xiang proposed three key focal points. Firstly, achieving "Unity of Heart" between the university and enterprises is essential for successful cooperation, emphasizing shared values and a common spiritual guide. Secondly, achieving "Unity of Wisdom" involves tapping into the advantages of the university in research and education and the influence of enterprises in understanding market demands. Thirdly, achieving "Unity of Strength" involves consolidating the strengths of the university and enterprises, as well as bringing together the strengths of multiple alumni enterprises, to better promote high-quality development.

The meeting took place in the small auditorium of the old campus of Xiangya School of Medicine, part of the early buildings of Xiangya Hospital and Medical School. After a year of renovation, Xiangya School of Medicine revitalized this old building while maintaining its original appearance. The meeting held here was the first after the renovation, adding a significant commemorative touch to the occasion.

Before the meeting, alumni entrepreneurs visited various schools and departments on the new campus of Xiangya, including Xiangya School of Public Health, Xiangya School of Nursing, Xiangya School of Pharmacy, School of Life Sciences, and Xiangya School of Medicine's history museum. They also explored the core area of Furong Laboratory in the old campus of Xiangya. Alumni representatives offered flowers to statues at the old campus, symbolizing the friendship of all Xiangya alumni.

(Reviewed by Li Ruijun, Huang Gengwen, and Wu Minghua)