“Autumn coolness graces San Francisco Bay as North American alumni gather together.
From Silicon Valley, North Carolina to Washington, sister chapters embark on the voyage together.
On the eighth night of the ninth lunar month in the Bing-Wu year, CSTU’s lights illuminate the distance.
Ascending tomorrow to watch the morning sunrise, tonight’s spark weaves a splendid chapter.”
On the evening of October 17, 2026, the Founding Ceremony of the North American Chinese University Alumni Alliance (NACUAA) Northern California San Francisco Chapter took place at California Science and Technology University (CSTU, 1601 McCarthy Blvd, Milpitas, CA), with simultaneous live streaming via Zoom. NACUAA President Sunny Chen officially announced the establishment of the San Francisco Chapter. Following the Silicon Valley Chapter, this marks another vital branch under NACUAA Northern California, signifying a strategic expansion and refinement of the Alliance’s alumni network across the Greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Figure: Attendees posing in front of the NACUAA banner
🎬 [Ceremony Recording] Official Full Video on YouTube
Official HD Video ReleasedThe complete video recording of the NACUAA Northern California San Francisco Chapter Founding Ceremony is now available. Alumni and friends who were unable to attend in person or via Zoom can watch the full speeches, flag presentation, and guest remarks below:
The founding ceremony was presided over by Michael HUO, President of NACUAA Northern California. As event host, CSTU warmly welcomed guests and alumni. Shi Yi delivered welcoming remarks on behalf of California Science and Technology University, introducing the university’s forthcoming Silicon Valley Robotics & AI Innovation Center. Shi Yi noted that CSTU prioritizes cutting-edge disciplines such as computer science, artificial intelligence, and data science. Drawing upon the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem, the center will focus on AI, robotics, and embodied intelligence—building an integrated hub for technological innovation, enterprise incubation, product showcase, technology validation, industry partnership, and venture collaboration to accelerate research commercialization and global industry alignment. Subsequently, CSTU President Qin delivered remarks congratulating the establishment of the San Francisco Chapter. Highlighting the university’s mission—student-centered, career-oriented, and high-tech focused—President Qin affirmed CSTU’s commitment to supporting alumni and encouraged Bay Area graduates to unite and build collective strength.
Figure: CSTU President Qin delivering remarks at the founding ceremony
Figure: Portrait of NACUAA Northern California President Michael HUO (Archive Photo)
Enhancing Bay Area Organizational Architecture: Dual-Track Synergy between Silicon Valley & San Francisco
NACUAA’s development in Northern California is establishing an increasingly coherent regional layout. Alliance President Sunny Chen outlined the evolution of the organizational structure: as an inter-regional alumni alliance spanning 18 U.S. states and two Canadian cities, NACUAA has established a more specialized regional service framework in Northern California—the established Silicon Valley Chapter operates under NACUAA Northern California, and now the San Francisco Chapter is newly established under the regional umbrella. This structural enhancement matches the geographical distribution of alumni across diverse Bay Area communities, bridging commute distances and bringing event coordination and community engagement closer to where alumni live and work.
Sunny Chen shared three expectations for the newly founded San Francisco Chapter: first, uniting alumni power to build a warm and supportive community; second, establishing a practical platform that creates substantive exchange and collaboration opportunities; and third, carrying forward the alumni spirit by actively serving the local community. Sunny Chen commended Northern California’s executive execution, expressing heartfelt thanks to President Michael HUO for leading a vibrant team, as well as to senior leaders Dr. Qilei Peng and Jerry Zhang for their longstanding dedication and groundwork.
Chairman of the Board Songhui Peng delivered warm congratulations on behalf of the NACUAA Board of Directors. Peng noted that, on top of the solid foundation built by Dr. Qilei Peng and core team members, the addition of President Michael HUO has substantially elevated team energy and event scale, exhibiting distinctive high-tech characteristics and community cohesion. He wished the San Francisco Chapter smooth sailing ahead.
Figure: Attendees reviewing ceremony materials and remote connection setup
Vision of the Inaugural Chapter President: Cultivating Alumni Community & Tech Entrepreneurship Resources
The assembly announced the appointment of Jane Zhang (widely known among alumni as “Doudou”) as the inaugural president of the NACUAA Northern California San Francisco Chapter. Having studied at Columbia University, Jane has long focused on artificial intelligence, education, and tech entrepreneurship, actively participating in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco startup ecosystems.
Figure: Portrait of Inaugural San Francisco Chapter President Jane Zhang (Archive Photo)
In her inaugural address, Jane Zhang presented three primary initiatives: first, leveraging alumni ties to connect graduates living and working across San Francisco, progressively establishing a cohesive, supportive, and impactful alumni community; second, harnessing San Francisco’s concentrated resources in technological innovation and entrepreneurship to serve as a bridge fostering inter-regional, inter-disciplinary collaborations and industry partnerships; third, maintaining open communication and synergy among sibling chapters so alumni benefit tangibly from shared regional resources. Jane emphasized that the new team will start from grassroots community building and systematically advance organizational mechanisms and local programming.
Cross-Chapter & Multi-Stakeholder Backing: Synergizing Quality Resources to Empower Emerging Leaders
The founding of the new chapter garnered enthusiastic support from established chapters, specialized clubs, and senior alumni leaders.
Dr. Qilei Peng, Vice Chair of NACUAA and Founding President of the Silicon Valley Chapter, delivered congratulatory remarks celebrating the launch and applauding young Doudou on assuming the founding presidency. She looked forward to the San Francisco Chapter drawing more young alumni to explore, grow, and shine on the Alliance platform, developing into next-generation community leaders. Dr. Peng stated that as Silicon Valley Chapter founding president, she will collaborate closely with the San Francisco Chapter under President Huo’s leadership to fortify Northern California’s alumni foundation; while as NACUAA Vice Chair, she will champion resource sharing and inter-chapter collaboration, enabling the San Francisco Chapter to take flight standing upon the shoulders of the entire alliance.
Figure: Portrait of Dr. Qilei Peng, NACUAA Vice Chair & Founding President of Silicon Valley Chapter (Archive Photo)
Jerry Zhang, First President of NACUAA Northern California who laid the regional foundation, extended congratulations to President Jane and the new chapter. Jerry praised the team’s cohesion and agility, noting that with his workplace situated between San Francisco and South Bay, he will actively assist San Francisco Chapter and club initiatives, providing logistical support and participating in sports, cultural, and tech lecture programs.
Figure: Portrait of Jerry Zhang (Archive Photo)
NACUAA Vice Board Chair Ping He joined virtually to deliver remarks. As one of the founding members when NACUAA was established four years ago, Ping He expressed deep gratification in seeing Northern California unite youthful talent with fresh dynamism. Reaffirming her longstanding volunteer dedication to serving alumni, Ping He committed to supporting young leaders and looked forward to engaging in more in-person Northern California gatherings.
Figure: Portrait of NACUAA Vice Board Chair Ping He (Archive Photo)
Alliance Director Quan Li spoke on behalf of the AI Entrepreneurship Club, AI Media Creativity Club, Guandan Club, and Pickleball Club. Quan Li noted that these clubs regularly host activities across the Bay Area, including rotating pickleball games, Guandan friendly tournaments, and AI entrepreneurship sessions. With San Francisco being the global epicenter of AI innovation, the chapter’s establishment provides a physical home in the core city. All clubs will open their speakers, startup networks, and recreational resources to the San Francisco Chapter, creating mutual synergy where “the chapter gathers momentum and clubs gain presence.” Northern California also showcased an AI-generated commemorative video, demonstrating creative digital media applications in alumni community engagement.
🎵 [Ceremony Theme Song MTV] "Sister Chapters Odes: SF Sparks" (AI Created)
AI Generated Music & VisualsPremiere celebratory short video showcased at the founding ceremony, created entirely by the Northern California Chapter team using generative AI for composition, songwriting, and visual rendering:
Figure: Attendees posing in front of the NACUAA banner
North Alpha Post Founder Guangyong Mao congratulated the chapter on behalf of media partners and North Carolina alumni. Mao shared his fondness for the San Francisco Bay Area and his admiration for California alumni’s innovative drive and cultural vision. He noted that San Francisco embodies the historic heritage of Chinese-American perseverance; the new chapter not only tightens local alumni networks but also establishes an East-West Coast bridge for educational, technological, and cultural collaborations. North Alpha Post will fully leverage its media reach to chronicle alumni achievements and elevate Chinese community impact.
Figure: Portrait of North Alpha Post Founder Guangyong Mao (Archive Photo)
Community Engagement & Civic Participation: Encouraging Civic Service
The new chapter connects not only alumni and industries but also focuses on civic welfare and public service. Saratoga City Council Candidate Ping Li joined the gathering to congratulate the chapter.
Ping Li recalled meeting and supporting Michael HUO during past civic activities, praising NACUAA for extending its focus beyond tech entrepreneurship into community welfare and public service. Ping Li expressed hopes for deeper future collaboration—continuing innovation in tech and AI while encouraging more Chinese Americans to engage with local public affairs, volunteer service, and city commissions, thereby amplifying civic voice and representation in local governance.
Figure: Portrait of Saratoga City Council Candidate Ping Li (Archive Photo)
Figure: Ping Li (left) interacting with attendees at the ceremony
Observations & Future Outlook: Moving from Announcement to Sustainable Operations
The establishment of the San Francisco Chapter completes NACUAA’s strategic organizational presence in Northern California’s core metropolitan area. Participating representatives highlighted that realizing the chapter’s vision depends on the execution quality of day-to-day operations and alumni services.
Moving forward, the San Francisco Chapter will establish its local communications network, coordinate core volunteer teams, and plan initial local activities. Alumni can stay updated via the NACUAA Northern California Official Event Portal.