The Monumental 450 Million RMB Stock Donation to Shanghai Jiao Tong University

On February 26, 2026, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), one of China's premier institutions, received a transformative gift from alumnus Ji Shi, chairman of East Money Information Co., Ltd. He donated 20 million shares of his company's stock, valued at approximately 450 million RMB based on recent market prices around 22.5 RMB per share. This gesture not only bolsters the university's coffers ahead of its 130th anniversary but also underscores the growing trend of alumni philanthropy fueling innovation in Chinese higher education.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, often abbreviated as SJTU or 'Jiao Da' in Chinese, traces its roots to 1896 when it was founded as Nanyang Public College. Today, it stands as a C9 League member—China's equivalent of the Ivy League—and consistently ranks among the global top 50 in engineering and technology per the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). Such donations are pivotal as China pursues its 'education powerhouse' (教育强国) ambitions outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan and beyond, aiming for world-class universities by 2035.

Details of the Signing Ceremony and Key Participants

The donation was formalized during a poignant ceremony at SJTU's Xuhui campus main office hall. Attended by SJTU Party Secretary Yang Zhenbin, President and Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Ding Kuiling, Party Deputy Secretary and Medical School Party Secretary Zhang Yanping, Party Deputy Secretary Hu Weiwei, and other senior officials, the event symbolized deep ties between the university and its successful graduates. Hu Weiwei hosted the proceedings, with Ji Shi and Yang Zhenbin signing the agreement amid applause, followed by President Ding presenting the donation certificate.

Yang Zhenbin praised Ji Shi's contributions, noting that a school's reputation hinges on alumni impact. 'Ji Shi exemplifies the 'drink water think source, patriotism honors school' motto,' he said, highlighting sustained support for internet finance and now innovation. Ding Kuiling echoed this, calling it a profound embodiment of gratitude that will inspire generations.

Profile of Donor Ji Shi: From Student Activist to Financial Titan

Ji Shi, originally named Shen Jun, graduated from SJTU's Materials Engineering Department in 1993. During his undergraduate years, he founded the university's Social Practice Center, laying groundwork for his entrepreneurial spirit. In 2005, he launched East Money Net, which evolved into East Money Information, China's first listed internet finance firm in 2010. Today, as chairman and a National People's Congress deputy, Ji Shi champions how finance can irrigate sci-tech innovation, accelerating lab-to-market transitions for hard technologies.

His journey reflects SJTU's emphasis on practical learning—'Qiushi' (seek truth through practice), one of its mottos. As a school director, Ji Shi offers strategic advice, transforming insights into actionable support. For aspiring engineers eyeing faculty positions or research jobs, his story illustrates the pathways from campus to industry leadership.

Purpose and Strategic Impact of the Qiushi Innovation Development Education Fund

The donated stock establishes the 'Qiushi Innovation Development Education Fund' (求实创新发展教育基金), directly aligning with SJTU's motto. Funds will target talent cultivation and sci-tech innovation, nurturing students in emerging fields like AI, biotech, and advanced materials—areas where SJTU excels globally.

Step-by-step, this means: first, scholarships and fellowships for top students; second, research grants for faculty-led projects; third, infrastructure for innovation hubs; and fourth, industry partnerships for commercialization. In China's context, where the government allocated over 1.5 trillion RMB to education in 2025, such private infusions amplify public efforts toward self-reliant innovation under the 'Double First-Class' initiative.

This fund positions SJTU to lead in China's education powerhouse construction, a national strategy since the 2021 Communist Party Congress, emphasizing quality over quantity in higher education.

Ji Shi's Track Record of Philanthropy at SJTU

This isn't Ji Shi's first rodeo. In October 2022, he donated 100 million RMB to establish the 'Ji Shi Medicine Innovation Development Fund,' aiding the medical school's Pudong campus construction. By February 2026, the 'Ji Shi Library' at the med school was unveiled, honoring his commitment. These acts transcend cash; they embody a lifelong partnership, as Ji Shi reflected: 'From social practice to supporting innovation, it's about entrepreneurial continuity.'

• 2022: 100 million RMB for med school innovation and infrastructure.
• 2026: 450 million RMB stock for broad sci-tech and talent focus.

Explore career advice from such alumni success stories at higher ed career advice.

A Surge of Alumni Generosity Ahead of SJTU's 130th Anniversary

The 450 million RMB joins a wave: on the same day, Huazhu Group founder Ji Qi (1989 engineering mechanics undergrad, 1992 master's) donated 100 million RMB via the 'Quanjian Humanities Development Fund' for holistic development. Over the past two months, SJTU alums contributed over 800 million RMB, including Pan Jian Sheng Fund (Feb 13) and Tuozhu Tech's '2026 Alma Mater Fund' (Feb 11).

This philanthropy boom coincides with SJTU's 130th anniversary celebrations (1896 founding), featuring a dedicated site, global alumni events, and innovation showcases. It mirrors trends at peer institutions like Tsinghua, where alums donated billions cumulatively.

SJTU's Enduring Legacy in Chinese and Global Higher Education

Founded amid late Qing reforms, SJTU evolved through Republican, wartime, and modern eras into a research powerhouse. Home to over 40,000 students, it boasts 32 academicians, QS top-50 engineering, and breakthroughs in船舶, AI, and biomed. In 2025 ARWU, it ranked #1 in China for many fields.

Culturally, in Shanghai's vibrant ecosystem, SJTU drives the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, fostering unicorn startups. For international students, programs like the SJTU-ParisTech Elite Institute blend global curricula.

Supporting China's 'Education Powerhouse' National Strategy

China's 'education强国' vision seeks top-tier universities rivaling global leaders by 2035, with 2026 milestones in innovation ecosystems. Donations like Ji Shi's enable SJTU to:

• Expand PhD/postdoc training amid rising R&D spend (2.55% GDP in 2025).
• Bridge academia-industry gaps, vital as China files 1.6 million patents yearly.
• Attract global talent, countering brain drain.

Stakeholders: government via 'Double First-Class'; enterprises like East Money for tech transfer; students gaining real-world projects. Challenges include equitable distribution, but multi-perspective views from reports praise such synergies.

Trends in Alumni Donations Across Chinese Universities

SJTU's influx reflects a boom: Peking U, Tsinghua received billions; total higher ed donations hit 100 billion RMB in 2025 per ministry data. Stock donations, tax-efficient, surged post-reforms allowing direct university transfers. Examples: Tang Ye's 130 million shares (Jan 2026).

Risks: volatility (stock value fluctuates); benefits: long-term growth potential. Compared to US (Harvard $50B endowment), China's 500B RMB total lags but grows 20% yearly.

Future Outlook: Sustaining Momentum for Innovation

With these funds, SJTU eyes new labs, global partnerships, and AI hubs by 2030. Implications: more patents, startups, policy influence. Actionable insights for alums: join director boards; for students: leverage funds for internships.

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This donation heralds a brighter era for SJTU and Chinese higher education, blending tradition with forward momentum.

Photo by Steve Long on Unsplash