On October 10th, the Fuzhou Municipal Education Bureau officially published an approval document on its website, agreeing to the establishment of "Fuzhou Fuyao Future School." According to the approval, "Fuzhou Fuyao Future School" will be operated by the Heren Charity Foundation as a non-profit private high school. The planned location is at Fuyao Avenue, Honglu Town, Fuyao Industrial Park Zone 2 in Fuqing City, with a planned capacity of 3,240 students and a three-year preparation period (October 10, 2025 - October 10, 2028).
The Heren Charity Foundation was established by Cao Dewang, Chairman of Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co.,Ltd. (600660.SH), as a non-public fundraising foundation created with financial assets (stocks). According to its 2024 work report, the foundation had a balance of 37.88 billion yuan at the end of 2023, with expenditures of 549 million yuan in 2024. As of the end of 2024, total assets reached 34.56 billion yuan.
Previously, Cao Dewang donated 330 million yuan to build Fujian Normal University Affiliated Fuqing Dewang Middle School, which operates as a "public-private partnership" through collaboration between Fuqing Municipal Government, Fujian Normal University, and the Heren Charity Foundation. In February 2024, the school was recognized as a "Fujian Province Level 1 Standard High School" by the Fujian Provincial Department of Education.
Notably, in February this year, Fujian Fuyao University of Science and Technology, a private-public partnership, non-profit, public welfare full-time ordinary university initiated by Cao Dewang and jointly operated by the Heren Charity Foundation and Fuzhou Municipal Government, received approval for establishment. The university offers undergraduate and graduate education, with Wang Shuguo as its first president.
In July this year, Fujian Fuyao University of Science and Technology successfully completed its 2025 undergraduate admission process, recruiting 50 undergraduate students from Fujian, Henan, Jiangxi, Hunan, and Guangxi provinces.
**Cao Dewang's Speech at Opening Ceremony**
On September 12th, the opening ceremony for the 2025 undergraduate class of Fuyao University of Science and Technology was held. Board Chairman Cao Dewang delivered a speech reviewing his original intention for donating to establish the university and expressing hopes for the 50 new students: "You should not only learn knowledge but also learn how to be a person; not only learn to think but also learn to take action; not only establish yourselves in China but also face the world."
Cao Dewang stated that the first opening ceremony was just a beginning. Looking ahead, there is much work to be done, requiring joint efforts from all faculty and students. "Our goal is consistent: for the strength of our Republic."
On October 10th, Fuyao Group Board Chairman Cao Dewang discussed his motivation for establishing Fuyao University of Science and Technology in an interview, expressing his hope to cultivate talents beneficial to the country, society, and people.
**Interview Excerpts:**
**Q: In September this year, Fuyao University of Science and Technology welcomed its first batch of undergraduate students. Why did you establish a non-profit private university? What are your original intentions and expectations?**
**A:** China already has three to four thousand universities, so adding another similar one wouldn't be very meaningful. I established this university not to compete for fame and profit, nor to create an ordinary school, but to approach this matter with a highly responsible entrepreneurial spirit. I believe education is a cause, not an industry, and I hope to cultivate talents beneficial to the country, society, and people.
**Q: How much have you invested in total? How much has the government invested?**
**A:** I announced to society that I would donate 10 billion yuan. By August 31st this year, I had spent approximately 4.3 billion yuan. The government provided campus land free of charge and provides annual funding support. Additionally, social donations exceeded 100 million yuan. Currently, the school's daily operational expenses are covered by the Heren Charity Foundation, and eventually the full 10 billion yuan will be paid.
**Q: What is Fuyao University of Science and Technology's operational model?**
**A:** After the school was built, we handed it over to President Wang Shuguo. My smartest choice was not building or establishing the school, but letting professional people do professional work. I fully authorized President Wang, allowing him to lead his team in handling admissions, teaching, management, and other work.
**Q: We see the campus environment is beautiful and quite large. Why did you only admit 50 students this year?**
**A:** The school is designed to accommodate 16,000 people. Admitting only 50 students this year was proposed by the school committee. I think this is correct and shows responsibility for high-quality education. Fuyao University of Science and Technology is a non-profit university that doesn't rely on admissions for profit. Tuition is 5,600 yuan per person per year.
At Fuyao University of Science and Technology, the school provides general education for first and second-year students, and specialized education for third and fourth-year students. Students are admitted under the Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering program, and in the second semester of their sophomore year, students choose their specialization based on interests and career planning from options including Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Vehicle Engineering, and Computer Science and Technology.
The teaching faculty follows a dual-staff system, with teachers responsible for theoretical training and entrepreneurs invited to teach, plus many companies providing internship opportunities. Many well-known domestic companies have expressed willingness to help graduates find employment if needed.
I don't want students confined to classrooms but should engage more with society. I hope they can explore the world after learning fundamental knowledge at Fuyao University of Science and Technology.
**Q: So current college students don't need to worry about their future prospects upon enrollment?**
**A:** Of course. Although these university students are trained for the entire society, if all 50 students wanted to join Fuyao, we would accept them all, though we respect students' own preferences. We treat the first 50 students like our own children. We tell students that everything depends on self-reliance, self-improvement, and self-respect.
**Q: What do you think a qualified university student should be like?**
**A:** First, they must be clear about how to conduct themselves. Doing things is easy - if you don't know how, you can ask others for help or hire people to do it. If you can't conduct yourself properly, everything else amounts to zero. Second, they must study diligently and practice hard. No gain without effort. If I give you something and you don't reach out to take it, it remains in my hands - no amount of teaching helps. Therefore, students should respect teachers, seek guidance from them frequently, and persistently ask questions until they understand completely.
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