As the new year dawns, a magnificent chapter begins. When the first light of 2026 shines upon the banks of the Yong River, our beautiful campus vibrates in harmony with this transformative era. On behalf of the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo (EIT), I extend our warmest New Year greetings to all faculty, staff, and students, as well as to the leaders at all levels and friends from all sectors of society who have long cared for and supported the growth of our university.
The year 2025 marked a milestone in the founding history of the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo. Looking back, we adhered to the Party’s comprehensive leadership and, with the courage and wisdom of "pioneers," charted the grand vision of an emerging research university. We laid the cornerstone for an institution of lasting excellence, which will serve as the strongest foundation and most vivid testimony to the university's future development.
This year, our university was officially established. In June 2020, Mr. Renrong Yu proposed to donate funds to found a high-caliber university. After five years of dedicated effort, the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo received official approval from the Ministry of Education on June 19, 2025. The inauguration ceremony was held on November 28 of the same year, marking the launch of this pioneering institution—distinguished by its high-caliber foundation, compact yet distinguished structure, research oriented spirit, and global engagement.
We inaugurated our new campus on the north bank of the Yong River. The greatness of a university lies not only in its buildings, but also in its people. Our campus—a "timeless masterpiece along the water"—blends classical elegance with modern functionality. The steadfast Truth-Seeking Tower and the library, designed with the ancient Chinese concept of "celestial dome and terrestrial base," (天圆地方) stand in dialogue, shaping the campus's iconic skyline. The south gate opens toward the Yong River, the very waterway from which Ningbo’s merchant community once set sail. From here, the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo will embark on its own journey to the world.
We enrolled our first cohort of students in the same year of our establishment. The admission of our inaugural undergraduate class was completed in just 11 days—a feat described by many as "reaching excellence from the very start." With foresight and courage, 74 pioneering undergraduates chose to join the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo in building the future. The university has also initiated joint doctoral programs with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University of Science and Technology of China, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the University of Warwick, with encouraging early outcomes.
We pay tribute to the visionary entrepreneurs whose generosity knows no bounds. The Zheng Jian·Li Hong Building, the Safewell Building, and the Youngor Library stand tall across campus, while initiatives like the Chunyuan Lighthouse Teaching Grant and the Shenzhou Business School nurture growth with dedication. The philanthropic spirit embodied here aligns closely with our educational mission. Spearheaded by Mr. Renrong Yu and embraced by fellow Ningbo entrepreneurs and the broader community, this ongoing generosity has infused our journey with tremendous momentum.
We have attracted outstanding talents from around the world, building a high-caliber, international faculty team that includes 16 academicians, 61 national-level talents, and 101 principal investigators. Guided by the principle of "science as the foundation, engineering as the focus, and integration of the two," the university has produced a steady stream of top-tier achievements. In 2025 alone, we published 436 high-level research papers, including one in Nature and three in Science. Leveraging major platforms and integrating the PI system with organized research, we have established six high-energy research platforms and 20 university-industry collaborative laboratories. With cumulative research funding reaching 3.15 billion RMB, we have built a U-shaped innovation system that connects academic exploration with technological application.
As we look ahead to 2026, the call of a new journey resounds. With the conviction of "navigators breaking waves," we will sail into a critical phase of growth and distinction, steering toward a future of boundless possibilities. In this age of technological revolution and industrial transformation, we are committed to making greater innovative contributions, expanding our influence, serving national development, and driving social progress.
Moving forward, we will advance steadfastly on the path of innovation. We will delve into cutting-edge interdisciplinary fields, cultivating top innovative talent through mentorship by academicians, and supporting groundbreaking discoveries through major research platforms.
We will honor our commitment to industry-education integration, staying rooted in Ningbo while empowering its industries. Guided by national strategic needs, we strive to realize the vision where a great city nurtures a great university, and a great university contributes to a great city.
We will remain anchored to our vision of a "high-caliber foundation, compact yet distinguished, research oriented, and globally engaged" institution. By connecting with world-class educational and scientific resources, promoting joint training and collaborative research, we will contribute Chinese wisdom to the global tide of open cooperation.
With the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo now setting sail, we advance with determination, ready to navigate the waves ahead. Let us march in step with the times and shape the future together. We sincerely wish our great nation enduring prosperity, harmony, and peace. May all people across the country enjoy safety, fulfillment, and well-being. And may every member of our university welcome the new year with joy and renewed hope.
Shiyi Chen
President, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo
January 1, 2026
