Chinese Graduate and Postdoctoral Scholars Association
East Asian·By Culture
CGPSA (also known as Berkeley Sunshine) is a graduate student organization founded in 2011 for Chinese graduate students, postdocs, and scholars at UC Berkeley. The club runs academic talks, career development forums, cultural celebrations (dumpling-making parties, Mid-Autumn dances), and sports clubs covering badminton, tennis, volleyball, hiking, dancing, and more. Members get a community of peers from China, free social events throughout the year, and a platform to build friendships and leadership skills.
2011
Founded
Events They Host
Annual Fall Welcome Orientation (迎新会)
Held each fall at Alumni House, UC Berkeley. Free food, guest speakers (past speakers have included a UC Berkeley Vice Chancellor, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory scientists, and SF Consulate representatives), and open to all incoming Chinese graduate students and scholars. Capped at 110 attendees.
BioForum
Full-day career development event focused on biotechnology. Morning keynote talks by industry leaders from pharma, biofuel, translational medicine, and entrepreneurship sectors, followed by a lunch reception and afternoon career panel with the Chinese American Biopharmaceutical Society (CABS). Held April 13, 2013 at International House.
Immigration and Visa Law Seminar
Open seminar covering F-1/J-1 visa rules, CPT/OPT, H-1B applications, and green card processes (EB-1/EB-2), with a Q&A session. Refreshments provided. Held September 18, 2014 at Moffitt Library 103.
Member Experiences
Mid-Autumn Dance (中秋舞会)
Beginner-friendly social dance event held in September. West Coast Swing instruction provided in partnership with the Berkeley Dance Association. Casual dress, no partner needed. Held September 24 at 375 LeConte Hall, capped at about 50 people.
Chinese New Year Dumpling-Making Party (新年包饺子)
Annual Spring Festival gathering where members make dumplings together, watch the CCTV Spring Gala, and compete in a table-by-table dumpling contest. Free admission with cash red envelopes distributed at the door. Capped at 120 attendees.
Fall Hiking Trip (秋游)
Annual autumn outdoor trip for members, typically organized in September or October as part of the fall welcome series.
Spring Festival Gala (春节联欢晚会)
Co-organized with BCSSA and the government-sponsored scholars association. Talent show format with member performances. Held in February.