In a heartfelt gesture of gratitude, Ant Group Chairman Eric Jing, an alumnus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), today donated 130 million yuan in cash and company shares to his alma mater. The donation ceremony and his appointment to the university's board of directors were held at the Wenbo Building on SJTU's Minhang campus.
The event took place on March 17, coinciding with SJTU's 130th anniversary celebrations. Mr. Jing, a 1994 undergraduate alumnus, and his wife, also a member of the class of 1994, jointly contributed the substantial gift. The funds are designated for the university's "AI Future Cornerstone Fund," established to support innovative research and talent development in artificial intelligence.
University President Ding Kuiling, who is also an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, attended the ceremony along with other senior administrators including Vice President Jiang Xinghao, Deputy Party Secretary Hu Weiwei, and several deans. Ant Group Chief Technology Officer He Zhengyu, Vice President Zhang Junjie, and Han Yuan Asset Management Founding Partner Yang Zhenyu, an alumnus from the class of 1989, were also present as special guests.
During the ceremony, Mr. Jing and President Ding formally signed the donation agreement. President Ding then presented Mr. Jing with a donation certificate and a plaque of appreciation. Subsequently, President Ding issued Mr. Jing his board of directors appointment letter and officially welcomed him with a university badge.
Mr. Jing's involvement extends beyond philanthropy; he is a deeply engaged participant in SJTU's AI initiatives. His commitment was previously demonstrated in April 2025 during the university's inaugural "AI Week," when President Ding appointed him as Chairman of the Third Council of the SJTU AI Alumni Association. Upon his appointment, Mr. Jing expressed his dedication to uniting alumni in the AI field to support the university's strategic development.
In July 2025, he donated 10 million yuan to co-establish the "AI Future Fund" with fellow alumni, aimed at bolstering the SJTU School of Artificial Intelligence. This fund focuses on connecting young global AI talent and fostering innovative achievements.
President Ding congratulated Mr. Jing on his new role as a university trustee and expressed sincere gratitude for the generous donation. He highlighted that Mr. Jing's deep involvement exemplifies the university's spirit of giving back and contributing to national progress through education.
Marking the 130th anniversary, SJTU established the "AI Future Cornerstone Fund" to advance its comprehensive AI strategy. Mr. Jing's latest contribution is intended to strengthen the university's role as a hub for AI talent cultivation, pioneering research, and industry innovation.
In his address, Trustee Jing reflected that his time at SJTU was a profoundly influential period in his life, shaping his knowledge, perspective, and future choices. He noted that he met his wife at the university and described the joint donation as an honor, serving both as a birthday gift to their alma mater and a celebration of their 30th wedding anniversary.
Having worked in the technology sector for years, Mr. Jing has consistently followed SJTU's progress. He emphasized that foundational research is the core engine of innovation in the current AI wave, with university discipline construction and talent development forming a solid base for this transformation. He expressed pride in SJTU's forward-thinking approach to AI education and confidence in the university's ability to play a critical role in global AI innovation.
The donation will be fully allocated to the "AI Future Cornerstone Fund," managed by the SJTU School of Artificial Intelligence. It will support the university's AI strategy by attracting top scholars, cultivating AI talent, and advancing interdisciplinary AI research.
From his days as a student to his leadership role at Ant Group and now as a committed partner in SJTU's AI endeavors, Eric Jing's actions embody the university's motto of remembering one's roots. The ideals nurtured on campus are now taking a new form—serving as a cornerstone to support future generations as they explore the vast potential of the AI era.
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