University of Jinan was established by merging the former Shandong Institute of Building Materials and the former Jinan Union University in October 2001. In April of 2001, the Jinan School of Civil Affairs and the Shandong School of Materials and Supplies were incorporated into the newly-established University of Jinan. The origin of University of Jinan can be traced back to Shandong Institute of Building Materials founded in August of 1948.

University of Jinan has experienced a history of over 60 years since 1948, during which several adjustments of its courses and professionals have been made. In addition, after the merging of the former Shandong Institute of Building Materials and the former Jinan Union University in October of 2000 and the incorporating of the Jinan School of Civil Affairs and the  Shandong School of Materials and Supplies in April of 2001 , many majors has been adjusted to different colleges during the development. In order to better reflect the sense of belonging, the university has classified the alumni to relevant colleges based on the current division.

University of Jinan Alumni Association was established on October 17, 2008 by the alumni of University of Jinan with the purpose to extensively contact alumni, enhance friendship and help mutually, and promote jointly the development of the state, society, the university and alumni career. Mr. Song Jian, a renowned scientist and academician, is the honorary president of University of Jinan Alumni Association and the current president of university of Jinan is the President of the Alumni Association. The Alumni Association has established Alumni Council, the members of which were elected by the alumni. Secretariat of Alumni Association is located in the University‘s Alumni Affairs Office.