Downloads

Third Forum of “On the University” series sheds light on Tsinghua’s philanthrophy

The third forum of the “On the University” series was held on April 14 on the topic of  “Philanthropy.”

It highlighted some of the ways in which Tsinghua University has given back to society through various philanthropic activities.

Moderated by Zhao Jinsong, Vice Secretary-General of the Tsinghua University Education Foundation, the forum brought together six speakers who have made a tremendous positive impact to society through their philanthropic actions.

Zhu Mingyuan, a master’s student in the Tsinghua University Department of Industrial Engineering, shared her experience joining the Postgraduate Voluntary Teaching Corps, a program that gives Tsinghua graduate students an opportunity to volunteer as teachers at various rural schools across China for one year.

She said that the year-long volunteer teaching in Qinghai Province had turned her devotion to her country and its people into a lifelong commitment.  

Zhang Hong, Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Academic Affairs Committee in the Tsinghua University School of Architecture, talked about the rural revitalization stations set up by his team renovating unused abandoned houses in rural areas.

At present, a host of rural revitalization stations have been established in 25 districts and cities of 15 provinces. They serve as a base for poverty alleviation related activities and a space for villagers’ communication, children’s painting workshops, and weekend cinemas.

“It brings hope, fashion, and vitality to the countryside,” Professor Zhang said.

He pointed out that rural revitalization needed more talent, knowledge, technology and tailored professional services, and called for more efforts by Tsinghua teachers and students to work hand-in-hand to realize the dream of rural revitalization.  

Chen Zhangwu, Chairman of the Gansu Xinghua Youth Aid Foundation, and former Director of the Academic Affairs Committee in the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management, shared a moving story of Zhao Jiahe, a retired Tsinghua professor who donated his savings of 14.09 million yuan  to support high school and undergraduate students in central and western China who are in need of assistance.

Chen Wenguang, Professor in the Tsinghua University Department of Computer Science and Technology, and Chair of the Qinghai University Department of Computer Technology and Application, shared Tsinghua’s actions in supporting the development of universities in western China, especially in areas such as faculty training, curriculum setting, and the cultivation of students' innovative ability, citing Tsinghua’s supercomputing team support to Qinghai University win first prize in the ASC World Supercomputing Competition in 2018 as an example.

Zhang Wenxue, Deputy Dean of the Tsinghua University School of Continuing Education, highlighted poverty alleviation initiatives carried out by her school since 2003.

With the concept of “disseminating knowledge to eradicate poverty,” the School has carried out various learning programs, including remote learning, village teacher training and volunteer teaching practice. 

As a bridge of knowledge transfer and bond of mutual affection, over 300 distance education stations have been established in 27 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions to improve local education conditions in impoverished areas, she said.  

Wang Ming, Professor in the Tsinghua University School of Public Policy and Management, and Dean of the Tsinghua University Institute for Philanthropy, said philanthropic activities by universities serve society by bringing a collective greater good for all. 

“A university is, with philanthropy, of greater good and closer to the people; philanthropy is, with the university, a higher good and better able to manifest virtue,” he said.

The forum was broadcast live on various social media accounts in both Chinese and English.

The “On the University” series of five forums is being held as part of Tsinghua’s 110th anniversary celebrations.

Writer:Isaac

Editors: Li Han, Sangeet,John Olbrich