On March 21, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Global College (SJTUGC, abbreviated as GC hereafter) held a ceremony to mark the third anniversary of the Tang Junyuan Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at the Long Bin Building.
Distinguished guests including representatives of the Tang family, leaders of SJTU attended the event. Among the guests were SJTU Class of 1950 alumna and Honorary Doctor, Chairman of Su Sih Enterprises Limited Youshuqi Tang, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee member and Chairman of Shanghai Tang Junyuan Education Foundation Henry Tang and other members of the Tang family and its foundation. SJTU President Kuiling Ding, Deputy Party Secretary Weiwei Hu, and representatives from relevant schools and administrative departments also participated. The event was chaired by Chairman of the GC Council Haojin Zhu.
GC Dean Hesheng Wang presented an overview of the college’s recent progress and future plans. GC has made steady advances in international collaborative education, with all undergraduate programs recognized as national first-class programs and multiple courses awarded at national and municipal levels. In response to a rapidly evolving global landscape, the college has expanded partnerships with leading universities worldwide and developed an international education model characterized by “self-driven leadership, diversified partnership.” Rapid progress has also been made in faculty development and research innovation, particularly in frontier areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and energy. GC will continue to pursue student-centered education and further strengthen global engagement and innovation-driven talent cultivation, said Wang.
GC Deputy Party Secretary Xiaoling Wu introduced the development of the Tang Junyuan Scholarship and the Tang Junyuan Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. The scholarship has supported outstanding students in pursuing international academic opportunities, generating strong demonstration effects. Since its launch in 2023, the center has served nearly 5,000 participants in coursework, student organizations, and innovation competitions, becoming an important platform for research and innovation education and incubating hundreds of student projects. Through a systematic undergraduate training framework, the college guides students to develop research capabilities and innovative thinking by engaging with real-world problems, scenarios, and industry needs. Looking ahead, GC aims to build a “π-shaped” talent development ecosystem, strengthen faculty-student collaboration platforms, and provide access to leading laboratories and top scientists to foster an advanced academic environment, she said.
Student representative Yingjie Wang, a 2023 undergraduate and Chair of GC’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association, shared her experiences at the center. She reflected on her journey from a freshman participant in the “Liming Cup” mechanical competition to an organizer of the event, noting that the center has provided a platform for students to pursue their aspirations. The support from the Tang Junyuan Education Foundation has safeguarded students’ “right to trial and error and the courage to dream,” becoming a cherished memory for many, said Wang.
Chien-Pin Chen, the first Tang Junyuan Chair Professor at SJTU and former Dean of the UM-SJTU Joint Institute, delivered remarks via video, expressing gratitude to the Tang family and its foundation. He said that the establishment of the Chair Professorship a decade ago played a key role in attracting high-level international faculty and strengthening the academic system during a critical stage of the Institute’s development. Over the years, the honor has inspired him to fulfill his responsibilities with dedication. The Tang Junyuan Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, established three years ago, has become a vibrant hub for student creativity and innovation.
During the ceremony, Henry Tang and Kuiling Ding presented the appointment certificate for GC’s second Tang Junyuan Chair Professorship to Hesheng Wang.
In his remarks, Henry Tang reflected on the longstanding connection between the Tang family and SJTU. The transition from the UM-SJTU Joint Institute to today’s Global College represents a new phase of development in international education, characterized by greater openness and institutional initiative, said Tang who also expressed continued support from the Tang Junyuan Education Foundation for GC’s efforts to cultivate globally competent and innovation-driven talent.
As part of the ceremony, artist Baoxing Gu presented a traditional Chinese painting titled The Jade Rabbit with a Galloping Horse, created in honor of Youshuqi Tang. The artwork symbolizes auspiciousness and continuity. Kuiling Ding and Weiwei Hu presented the artwork and a commemorative print marking SJTU’s 130th anniversary to Youshuqi Tang and Henry Tang, respectively.
In his speech, Kuiling Ding highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between SJTU and the Tang family, emphasizing their shared commitment to education and national development. The Tang Junyuan Education Foundation has provided sustained support in areas including scholarships, research funding, and institutional development, said the SJTU president who also expressed hope for continued collaboration to further promote innovation, talent cultivation, and exchange between Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Group photo of Tang family members at the center
Following the ceremony, guests visited the Tang Junyuan Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center and interacted with faculty and students engaged in academic and research activities.
