On October 28th, the celebration of the second anniversary of Sino-Finnish Centre took place at the Aalto-Tongji Design Factory, supporters, colleagues, friends coming from home and abroad enjoyed a happy get-together and talked about the history, experience and future of Sino-Finnish Centre.

At 12 o’clock, Sino-Finnish Centre opened door to the public. Under the hard work of SFC team members and volunteers, the joyful atmosphere permeated here and there. Balloons, Finnish licorice and publicity materials were seen everywhere. Volunteers dressed neatly and were busy preparing for the celebration as well as patiently guiding the visitors.

At 6 o’clock, a cello overture and songs from a student singing group CAUP announced the start of celebration. A video produced by Qiu Daoyu recording study and life in SFC affected all the guests and generated a happy start.

The celebration was hosted by professor Lou Yongqi and professor Yrjo Sotama. Pei Gang, the president of Tongji University, first delivered a speech. President Pei compared Sino-Finnish Centre to a child, he was very happy to see the baby grew into healthy and strong under SFC people’s hard work. President Pei pointed out that even though Chinese people emphasized the importance of learning, we tended to forget why we learn. What Sino-Finnish Centre wanted to provide was not only knowledge, but also the attitude towards study, the ability to cooperate with people, the learning method, etc. President Pei also expressed his good wish of calling on more students from different majors come to study in Sino-Finnish Centre.

Vice president of Aalto University, Hannu Seristo gave a speech and emphasized that students from all around the world study together was the key ingredient of Sino-Finnish Centre, in the future more areas would be expanded. He also introduced the Aalto alumni chapter in Shanghai, highlighting the importance of alumni links to the development of two universities and Sino-Finnish Centre. The first Aalto University Alumni event also took place that night.

Afterwards, Vice-consul of consulate general of Finland and executive vice president Chen Xiaolong also gave speeches. President Pei Gang awarded the Special Thanks prize to executive vice president Chen Xiaolong, Vice President Hannu Seristo and Tongji-Aalto Design Factory Director Matti gave gifts to Chen Xiaolong, presenting thanks to his contribution to Sino-Finnish Centre. SFC staff representative, Wu Yuanqi, was awarded the Model Workers Aword.

Friends from Aalto University presented an innovative wood pavilion as a gift to Sino-Finnish Centre for celebrating its second anniversary. The team of Aalto explained their design philosophy and expressed the will for more collaboration between two universities. In the jazz music, distinguished guests were invited to mark their handprint on the ant.

In the end of the celebration, guests came to the cafeteria. President Pei Gang, Vice President Hannu, professor Lou Yongqi, professor Yrjo and other distinguished guests cut the birthday cake together in the song of Happy Birthday. The joyful and sweet celebration night cultivated friendship and would continuously contribute to a better future of Sino-Finnish Centre.