Venturing South: the XJTLU alumni finding success in Oceania
From 6 to 11 August, the “Next Together” Global Initiative, launched by Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) to celebrate its 20th anniversary, continued its journey into the Southern Hemisphere. Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU, visited four cities in Australia and New Zealand – Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Wellington. He met with local alumni, academics, and scholars and shared reflections on XJTLU’s 20-year journey and explored future possibilities.
During the visit, Professor Xi and his delegation also visited the University of Sydney, the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne, the University of Auckland, and Victoria University of Wellington, engaging in in-depth discussions with university representatives and academics on innovation and globalisation in higher education.
The XJTLU delegation at the University of Auckland
On this journey, we met three alumni based in different cities. Their paths after graduation have taken various directions: one is pursuing academic research, one is building an international career, and one is exploring new possibilities across fields. Each story reflects a unique journey of growth, from XJTLU to the other side of the world.
Here are their stories.
Q: What left the deepest impression on you during your time at XJTLU?
Haoyu Wang (MSc Financial Mathematics, Class of 2024, currently pursuing a PhD in Finance at the University of Auckland):
What I remember most vividly is the passion for learning and academic exploration within the School of Mathematics and Physics: the willingness to slow down, question deeply, and carefully examine concepts rather than rush towards answers. My classmates and I often formed study groups to discuss research topics, debating over a mathematical derivation, a model, or a set of data until we lost track of time and even missed meals. Everyone had clear goals and strong academic foundations. When facing challenges, we would break down ideas together and actively share new approaches to learning.
The academic staff were also highly approachable. Their teaching was structured and insightful, and students’ questions and academic concerns were always addressed with care. I would especially like to thank Professor Conghua Wen, Professor Dejun Xie, and Dr David Liu. When I was preparing my PhD scholarship applications and urgently needed recommendation letters, they provided invaluable support and guidance, which played an important role in helping me secure my admission.
Now, as a PhD student in New Zealand, I often have junior students seeking my advice. Whenever that happens, I think back to the encouragement and support I received from my lecturers, and I try to offer the same sincerity and patience to those who come after me.
I am currently researching the intersection of stochastic control and machine learning. The strong theoretical foundation I built at XJTLU continues to support much of my research today. Mathematical knowledge does not fade with time; instead, as my academic journey progresses, its value becomes increasingly clear.
Haoyu Wang at the University of Auckland Business School
Q: Was there a moment when you realised you had become a different person from when you first entered university?
Wei Wei (BSc Urban Planning and Design, Class of 2016, currently E-commerce Manager at Homart Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd):
I don’t think this transformation happened in a single moment. Instead, it gradually took shape throughout my four years at XJTLU. When I first entered university, I was a typical “bookworm”. For the first 18 years of my life, my world had largely revolved around studying and exams. I rarely thought deeply about what kind of person I wanted to become or what kind of life I hoped to build in the future.
XJTLU gave me the space to explore both the world and myself. Success was never defined by grades alone. Through classes, student activities and overseas experiences, we were encouraged to try new things, discover our strengths and realise our value in different ways.
During my final year, our programme organised a field trip to Singapore. During the day, we visited urban planning institutions and public housing centres to learn about the operation of Singapore’s social housing system, and exchanged ideas with academics at local universities. In the evenings, we explored the city’s food and night views together. That journey made me realise that learning does not happen only in classrooms – an entire city can be a book waiting to be explored.
From that experience onwards, I began to think more seriously about what I truly enjoyed and what kind of career path I wanted to pursue. By the time I graduated, I was no longer a student who simply followed instructions and completed assigned tasks. Instead, I had become someone willing to actively create choices for myself.
Later, I decided to continue my studies and career development in Australia. Moving from urban design into e-commerce was a completely new journey, and every step involved uncertainty. But by then, I was no longer afraid of change.
Wei Wei (centre) attending a brand celebration event hosted by her company in 2026
Q: What were some important choices, turning points or challenges you experienced after graduation?
Lanke Li (BSc Information Management and Information Systems, Class of 2015, currently Head of City Operations at DiDi Australia):
After graduating from XJTLU, I experienced several important career choices. From China to Singapore, then to Australia and the Middle East, each transition meant leaving behind a familiar environment and starting anew in a different country.
My first major turning point came when my industry and organisation were undergoing significant changes. I had to decide whether to remain on a familiar career path or join an international team and participate in global business development in Singapore. I chose the latter. It was my first time truly entering a cross-cultural working environment, collaborating with colleagues from different countries and learning to understand markets and decision-making from diverse perspectives. There was no existing playbook to follow – almost every day involved exploration, experimentation and adjustment.
Four years later, as the pandemic brought greater uncertainty to the world, I made another major decision – moving to the Middle East as the company’s first employee assigned to establish operations there, building a local team and developing the business from the ground up.
Lanke Li (second from left in the front row) attending the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Looking back, I can see the influence of XJTLU behind each of these choices. The University’s international learning environment exposed me to teachers and students from diverse cultural backgrounds, helping me develop the habit of viewing issues from multiple perspectives and respecting different ways of thinking. At XJTLU, academic staff rarely provided a single “correct” answer. Instead, they encouraged us to ask questions, seek information, make independent judgements and take responsibility for our conclusions.
When these abilities became part of my professional journey, I realised they were far more valuable than any individual course. The true meaning of university is not only to provide knowledge, but also to teach us how to learn and think – giving us the confidence and courage to embrace a wider world when opportunities arise.
XJTLU did not prepare every answer for me; it taught me how to find my own answers.
Lanke Li (far left) participating in DiDi’s partnership event with the Australian Football League (AFL)
Three alumni, three journeys of growth. Their stories are different, but they all have the same starting point. Through mutual support and shared growth, XJTLU alumni and their alma mater continue to move forward together.
By Zewei Huang
Edited by Patricia Pieterse and Xinmin Han
Images courtesy of the XJTLU Alumni Affairs Office, Haoyu Wang, Wei Wei, and Lanke Li
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