In 1921, a visionary patriotic overseas Chinese leader, Tan Kah Kee, made history by establishing Xiamen University (XMU) – the first institution of modern higher education in China founded by an overseas Chinese philanthropist. One hundred and five years later, in 2026, the prestigious institution is marking its historic milestone, reflecting on a century of progress while pushing forward with its ambitious goal of rising as a leading world-class university.
To honor this landmark occasion, the university has launched a series of celebratory activities centered on connecting its past, present, and global community. XMU’s beloved official mascots, Xiao Bai and Xiao Xia, embarked on a nostalgic and celebratory tour that spanned the university’s three domestic campuses in Xiamen and extended all the way to its overseas campus in Malaysia. Along the journey, the mascots revisited iconic locations that hold decades of institutional memory, bringing together generations of students, faculty, and alumni around shared experiences and institutional pride.
A companion video released for the anniversary captures heartfelt moments from the global XMU community, where graduates gathered beneath the sprawling branches of blooming royal poinciana trees – a botanical symbol long tied to XMU’s identity, representing youthful vitality and the joy of reunion after years apart. In these moments, alumni from across the globe shared their warm well-wishes for the university’s next chapter, reflecting on the foundational impact their time at XMU had on their personal and professional lives.
Throughout its 105-year history, Xiamen University has stayed rooted in the patriotic spirit of its founder, expanding its academic influence, global outreach, and research capacity to become one of China’s most respected comprehensive higher education institutions. As it enters its 106th year of operation, the anniversary celebration serves as both a tribute to the legacy that built the institution and a source of inspiration for the next generation of scholars and leaders who will carry its mission forward.