Amid the wave of deep integration between the digital economy and the real economy, an alumnus from the School of Engineering at Shantou University has, through decade-long dedication and dedication, carved out a new world in the traditional food sector. He is Liu Changqing, a 2010 graduate majoring in civil engineering and currently the general manager of Guangzhou Jila Dry Goods Co., Ltd.

01

Campus Time: Connecting with engineering aesthetics, forging a solid foundation of practical work

Liu Changqing's entrepreneurial gene quietly began to take root in classrooms and construction site models at the College of Engineering at Shantou University. During his time at school, Mr. Wu Ming's vivid course on "Bridge Engineering" deeply moved him. "That course not only showcased the grandeur of mechanics, but also the precise aesthetics of engineering structures." This reverence for rigor and order made him pay extra attention to detail in his subsequent professional studies.

Relying on the unique EIP-CDIO education model of the School of Engineering, Liu Changqing has broken free from the misconception of "armchair strategy." In civil engineering Level 1 and Level 2 comprehensive design projects, he and his team independently completed scheme design, mechanical calculations, drawing drafting, and process optimization. In his spare time, he is a regular in the lab, repeatedly overcoming technical challenges and refining practical plans, cultivating the core ability to put ideas into action.

After graduation, he naturally joined China Railway Port and Shipping Bureau and devoted himself to the construction of the national expressway network. During the Shaanxi Huangyan Expressway capacity expansion project, he participated in the construction of the Lijiawa Grand Bridge. This prestressed concrete continuous rigid frame bridge, with a main span of 140 meters and main piers reaching 126 meters, is extremely difficult to construct. "There, I truly realized: structural stability comes from millimeter-level precision, and steady life comes from deep cultivation at every step." This craftsman's spirit of striving for perfection and rigorous pragmatism became the core principle of his entrepreneurial journey.

02

Career Journey: Crossing into E-commerce Tracks, Forging a Brand Worth Over 100 Million

In 2015, just as his peers were steadily climbing in the infrastructure industry, Liu Changqing made a bold decision: he resigned and moved south to Guangzhou to learn e-commerce operations from scratch. With 11 years of frontline combat experience, he went through many trials and iterations before finally settling on the traditional cured meat track.

Relying on the unique systems thinking of civil engineers, he did not turn the business into a small workshop but invested in building standardized production factories, establishing a full industry chain system integrating "R&D, production, quality control, sales, and after-sales." From every link in the supply chain to every piece of pitch in livestream operations, he handles it as meticulously as if it were an engineering blueprint, breaking down and controlling it to the millimeter.

This "engineering-grade rigor" has brought significant commercial returns. The brand he founded has consistently achieved revenues exceeding 100 million yuan for several consecutive years, consistently ranking first in the category across mainstream content e-commerce platforms, successfully setting a benchmark for the digital transformation of traditional cuisine.

03 Industry Insights: Embracing the AI Wave and Reshaping People, Goods, and Venues

In Liu Changqing's view, the domestic e-commerce industry has evolved from traditional shelf models to content-based interest e-commerce, and AI-driven development will be the next key engine. "Facing the AI wave, the industry's core short-term trend is 'human-machine collaboration and complementary efficiency,' rather than machines completely replacing humans."

He shared that the team has now used AI algorithms to optimize tag placement, achieving precise distribution across all domains; With AI, it can generate creative scripts and promotional materials in bulk, and even use digital humans to conduct regular live streams. This not only greatly reduces labor costs but also improves operational efficiency. Humans, on the other hand, focus on strategic planning, brand creativity, and user operations, leveraging the advantage of subjective empathy. "Only by iterating and continuously innovating in line with the trend can we firmly establish ourselves amid industry transformation."

04

Life wisdom: Be rigorous in conduct, calm and able to withstand pressure

Looking back on more than a decade of study and entrepreneurship, Liu Changqing's greatest insight is: rigorous conduct, practical work, calm resilience, and long-term ambition.

His entrepreneurial journey was not smooth; he faced multiple supply chain crises, traffic iterations, and team turmoil. "Setbacks are a required course for growth." Liu Changqing said, "True growth is about accumulating experience amid ups and downs and maintaining resilience in adversity." He always adheres to the principle of "focusing on work and living gently," believing that career is a carrier of self-worth and family is the confidence to move forward. The two are not opposed; only by being down-to-earth and sincere and trustworthy can one achieve steady and long-term progress.

05

Alma Mater Sentiment: Remembering the source when drinking water, a message to future students

"Remember the source when drinking water, chase dreams without forgetting the path you came from." Liu Changqing said with deep emotion that the College of Engineering at Shantou University was fertile ground for his ability accumulation and the shaping of his values. The EIP-CDIO educational model promoted by his alma mater broke down the barriers between theory and practice, teaching him practical execution and teamwork. This pragmatic and practical ability became the core confidence for his future career foundation and entrepreneurial breakthroughs.

He advised younger students: to deeply cultivate their professional foundation while daring to try and make mistakes and embrace change; As AI empowers all industries, it is even more important to maintain a lifelong learning mindset. Only by staying true to one's original intention can one steadily and far advance in their own field.

To give back to his alma mater, Liu Changqing's company has long offered internship positions in e-commerce operations, short video creation, and supply chain management, prioritizing current students and recent graduates from Shantou University, and is willing to provide practical guidance and resource connections for younger students interested in starting a business, helping "Shantou workers" take root and shine in various industries.

From a bridge builder at a height of 100 meters to the manager of a brand worth hundreds of millions of yuan, Liu Changqing vividly interprets the rich meaning of the "Shantong Spirit" in the new era through his cross-industry breakthrough experience.

FUTURE TECHNOLOGY

"Shantong Imprint"

Carrying out "Shantou University of Technology Imprint" alumni publicity is an important measure for the School of Engineering at Shantou University to inherit the spiritual roots and gather momentum for development. Since its founding in 1981, the School of Engineering has trained students from various industries. They tackle challenges on the front lines of engineering construction, continuously break new ground at the research frontier, and quietly contribute at the grassroots level, embodying the engineering spirit of "focus, rigor, and innovation" through hard work. Through the "Shantong Imprint," the college connects these scattered stories, making the struggles of the older generation alumni a spiritual beacon inspiring the new generation, and helping students find direction by learning from the growth trajectories of role models around them.

At the same time, the "Shantong Imprint" serves as an emotional bond between the college and its alumni. The promotional activities not only allow alumni to feel the attention and recognition of their alma mater, but also build a platform for resource sharing—alumni enterprises can collaborate with the college on industry-university-research projects, turning research achievements into industrial momentum; Entrepreneurial alumni can provide students with internship positions and entrepreneurial guidance, enabling the transfer of experience. This two-way interaction not only supports the development of alumni careers but also injects new vitality into the college's discipline development and talent cultivation.

In addition, the "Shantong Imprint" also serves as a window to showcase the college's educational achievements and enhance its social influence. When alumni take on important responsibilities in major engineering projects and win honors in the field of technological innovation, their achievements are the best proof of the quality of talent cultivation at the school. By promoting these achievements, the college can attract high-quality students, expand cooperative resources, further promote the implementation of the "dual-college collaboration" and "five educations in parallel" talent cultivation system, and supply more high-quality engineering talents to Shantou and the entire country's industrial development.

Text: School of Engineering