Shanghai Jiao Tong University has received a major philanthropic commitment totaling 5 billion yuan. The donation agreement was signed on the afternoon of April 6th at the university's Minhang campus.
Yang Yuanqing, Chairman and CEO of Lenovo Group and a 1981 computer science alumnus, personally donated 200 million yuan to support research innovation and talent development in the university's artificial intelligence disciplines. Concurrently, Lenovo Group entered into a new strategic partnership with the university, pledging an additional 300 million yuan over the next five years. This corporate investment will focus on three key areas: collaborative research, talent development, and investment incubation, marking a significant upgrade in university-industry cooperation.
The ceremony was attended by senior executives from Lenovo Group, including Qiao Jian and Gao Lan, as well as other distinguished alumni and guests. University leadership, including Party Secretary Yang Zhenbin and President Ding Kuiling, were present to witness the agreement.
Mr. Yang has maintained a long-standing commitment to his alma mater. In 2015, he co-founded the "Computer 85 Fund," a pioneering crowdfunded educational initiative that has awarded over 6.3 million yuan in scholarships to 136 students and 11 young faculty members. In 2021, for the university's 125th anniversary, he donated 100 million yuan to establish the "Siyuan No.1," which was at the time China's most powerful university-based scientific computing center. This facility has since supported over 1,200 research projects, contributing to the publication of more than 1,100 high-level papers.
The previous strategic partnership established in 2021, which involved a 100 million yuan personal donation and a 200 million yuan corporate collaboration, has now been elevated to a new "2+3" model. This upgrade reflects a mature, results-oriented partnership that delivers mutual benefits for the alumnus, the corporation, and the university.
Yang Yuanqing stated that this collaboration will provide substantial support for AI research and talent cultivation at the university, aiming to develop world-class AI experts and contribute significantly to national technological innovation.
University Party Secretary Yang Zhenbin expressed profound gratitude for the sustained support from Director Yang and Lenovo Group. He affirmed that the university will leverage this support to attract top talent, generate original research, and enhance its capacity to serve national strategic needs in the AI era.
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