In celebration of its 130th anniversary, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is witnessing a surge in alumni support for its educational mission. The university recently announced a substantial donation of 300 million yuan from Shen Nanpeng, a distinguished alumnus and the founding and managing partner of Sequoia Capital China. This contribution will establish the Sequoia Academy Construction Fund, creating a new platform dedicated to cultivating top-tier talent.
This latest donation brings the total from several prominent alumni in 2026 to a significant sum, with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co.,Ltd. founder Zeng Yuqun's cumulative contributions alone exceeding 3.4 billion yuan. This trend highlights a growing culture of collaboration between the university and its entrepreneurial graduates to support education.
Launching a New Model for Personalized Education
The 300 million yuan donation from Shen Nanpeng is designated specifically for the establishment of the Sequoia Academy at SJTU. The academy will be built upon the foundation of the university's Zhiyuan College, with Shen Nanpeng serving as its honorary dean and President Ding Kuiling as its inaugural dean. It will focus on nurturing innovative undergraduate talent through a differentiated and future-oriented training system.
The academy's flagship "Sequoia Scholars Program" will commence its first selection process in early 2027, targeting incoming freshmen from the class of 2026 who demonstrate exceptional potential and an innovative spirit. Selected scholars will have the opportunity to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries, choose their own academic directions using university resources, and receive a personalized "one student, one plan" development strategy. They will also live in a dedicated residential community to foster mutual support and growth.
Academically, the Sequoia Academy will implement a highly flexible training mechanism with a 3 to 6-year elastic academic system. Students can adjust their learning pace based on academic progress, research projects, corporate internships, and entrepreneurial needs, and may apply for early graduation upon meeting requirements, accommodating individual development trajectories. The curriculum will deeply integrate AI technology, strengthen foundational knowledge in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and promote interdisciplinary studies, moving away from a singular exam-oriented model to focus on practical skills, original exploration, and cutting-edge innovative thinking.
To bolster its educational resources, the academy will form a "Sequoia Mentor Group," bringing together top scientists, academic leaders, industry pioneers, and senior executives from leading companies. This group will provide comprehensive guidance to students, covering academic support, research direction, industry exposure, and career planning, effectively bridging the gap between academic frontiers and industry practice.
Innovations in resource support and evaluation systems are central to the academy's design. Sequoia Scholars will enjoy benefits such as special scholarships, overseas study opportunities, and research stipends. Eligible students can also receive recommendations for graduate studies without entrance exams. The program includes dedicated leadership courses, innovation and entrepreneurship guidance, and preferential access to high-quality employment opportunities.
A key feature is the academy's departure from the traditional grade-point ranking system. It will establish a multi-dimensional evaluation framework that shifts focus from short-term grade competition to assessing long-term accumulation, original exploration, problem-solving capabilities, and overall developmental quality. Graduates will receive a special honors certificate, and those meeting the standards will be awarded the Zhiyuan Honors Bachelor's degree, truly transitioning from a "score-based evaluation" to a "growth-based evaluation."
Public information shows Shen Nanpeng has long been a leading figure in venture capital. In the 2026 Forbes Midas List of top global venture capitalists, he ranked second worldwide and was the only Chinese investor in the top 30. Sequoia Capital China, under his leadership, manages assets exceeding 300 billion yuan, has invested in over 1,600 companies globally, and has nurtured more than 160 listed companies and 140 unicorns, with deep investments in technology, healthcare, and consumer sectors.
Multiple Entrepreneurial Alumni Give Back to Their Alma Mater
During the 130th-anniversary celebrations in 2026, SJTU has seen a series of major donations from its alumni, with renowned entrepreneurs from technology, venture capital, and finance sectors significantly contributing to the university's development, forming a wave of large-scale educational support.
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co.,Ltd. founder Zeng Yuqun's cumulative donations of over 3.4 billion yuan set the highest record in this round of alumni giving. His first donation in 2021 consisted of 2 million shares of CATL stock, valued at approximately 1.374 billion yuan. In March 2026, he donated an additional 5 million shares via Xiamen Ruiting Investment, valued at about 2.0085 billion yuan, bringing the total to over 3.4 billion yuan, all dedicated to SJTU's educational development, technological innovation, and talent cultivation.
Beyond Zeng Yuqun, several other prominent alumni have made substantial donations in 2026. In February, Ji Qi, founder of Huazhu Group, donated 100 million yuan to support various university initiatives. Qi Shi, chairman of East Money Information Co.,Ltd., donated 20 million shares of the company, valued at approximately 450 million yuan, focusing on talent development and scientific research.
The philanthropic momentum continued from February to April. Cheng Minghe, co-founder of Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co.,Ltd., donated 15 million USD to support the university's medical-engineering interdisciplinary programs and industry-education integration. Jing Xiandong, chairman of Ant Group, and his wife donated cash and company shares worth 130 million yuan specifically for the university's AI discipline development. LENOVO GROUP Chairman Yang Yuanqing personally donated 200 million yuan for campus renovations, while the group pledged an additional 300 million yuan over five years to deepen strategic cooperation with the university in research, talent, and incubation.
This series of major alumni donations continues to inject capital momentum into SJTU's efforts to cultivate top talent, develop cutting-edge disciplines, and foster scientific innovation. Leveraging the resources and financial support from its entrepreneurial alumni, the university can implement educational models better aligned with industry needs, promote deeper industry-education integration, and continuously cultivate high-end innovative talent suited for future industrial development.
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