On May 9, amid the warm spring tide of the Yong River, a ceremony was held in the Safewell Building of the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo (EIT) to mark the generosity from Mr. Ruiwu Chen. Mr. Ruiwu Chen, Executive Director and General Manager of Zhejiang Hengrun Tongda Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd., made a donation to EIT. The funds will be used to support key areas including discipline development, research advancement, teaching and learning, talent cultivation, and campus construction, injecting strong momentum into the university's drive to become a world-class, new-type research university.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Jun Sun, Party Secretary and Director of the Ningbo Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau; Ms. Hong Zhang, Party Secretary and Director of the Pudong Civil Affairs Bureau; Professor Shiyi Chen, President of EIT and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; and Mr. Bo Jin, Party Committee Secretary of EIT. Professor Dongxiao Zhang, Executive Vice President and Provost of EIT, presided over the ceremony.
Address by President Shiyi Chen
On behalf of all faculty and students, President Shiyi Chen expressed heartfelt gratitude and high esteem for Mr. Ruiwu Chen's generous donation. He remarked that at the age of sixty, Mr. Ruiwu Chen chose to mark this personal milestone through philanthropy in education—a gesture of great vision and sincerity. This is a shining example of a modern entrepreneur who cares deeply for the nation and values education, and a contemporary embodiment of the tradition of Ningbo entrepreneurs serving the country by nurturing talent.
To commemorate this act of generosity and pass on this spirit, the university has officially named the Life Sciences Building the "Chen Ruiwu Building." President Shiyi Chen noted that the life sciences are a core scientific field in the 21st century and a critical force for safeguarding public health and bolstering national strength. EIT adheres to its founding philosophy of being a "High-Caliber Foundation, Compact yet Distinguished, Research Oriented, and Globally Engaged" institution, focusing on cutting-edge interdisciplinary fields such as artificial intelligence, integrated circuit, unmanned technology, new energy and materials, intelligent manufacturing, and life and health.
In the years ahead, the Chen Ruiwu Building will bring together top global talent and establish high-level research platforms. It will promote the deep, cross-disciplinary integration of bioengineering with artificial intelligence, big data, and new materials, evolving into a vital vehicle that links basic research, technological breakthroughs, clinical applications, and industrial transformation. This will help Ningbo strengthen its life and health industry and yield first-class results that honor the trust and expectations of the donor and society at large.
Address by Mr. Ruiwu Chen
Mr. Ruiwu Chen shared that, at this significant juncture of turning sixty, he wished to stay true to his original commitment and give back to society through concrete actions. He expressed his deep conviction that the strongest source of support and security for any individual is a strong motherland, and that national prosperity is rooted in education and underpinned by scientific and technological innovation.
He confessed that he was greatly inspired by Mr. Renrong Yu's patriotic act of founding a university to serve the nation, and that he holds profound admiration for President Shiyi Chen, who has worked tirelessly for the establishment and growth of EIT. He strongly identifies with EIT’s educational philosophy, noting that the university’s development aligns with the national strategies of rejuvenating the country through science and education and building a talent-strong nation—a cause of great promise and profound mission. He described his donation as a modest contribution, expressing the hope that such small acts can accumulate like grains of sand to form a tower, inspiring more people to support education and join hands with EIT to build the future.
Address by Mr. Jun Sun
Mr. Jun Sun noted that Mr. Ruiwu Chen's generosity is a vivid illustration of a modern entrepreneur who is "wealthy yet responsible, righteous, and compassionate," a living testament to the spirit of "Ningbo, a city of love and charity," and sets a fine example for all of society. He stressed that the foundation should continue to broaden its fundraising platforms,share compelling examples of how philanthropy and education reinforce each other in Ningbo, and mobilize broader public support for the city's higher education and sci-tech innovation. He added that the Ningbo Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau will continue to provide strong services and support, promoting the deep integration of charity and education, and contributing to Ningbo's high-quality development and its emergence as a modern coastal metropolis.
President Shiyi Chen presents a donation certificate to Mr. Ruiwu Chen
Mr. Bo Jin presents Mr. Ruiwu Chen with a model of the Life Sciences Building as a token of appreciation
During the ceremony, Mr. Ruiwu Chen and Mr. Bo Jin signed the donation agreement on behalf of their respective parties, witnessed by Mr. Jun Sun, President Shiyi Chen, and Ms. Hong Zhang. President Shiyi Chen then presented a donation certificate to Mr. Ruiwu Chen, and Mr. Bo Jin presented him with a model of the Life Sciences Building as a token of appreciation, capturing the cherished moment when a university and an enterprise work in concert to shape the future of education. The ceremony was also attended by heads of university departments, as well as faculty and student representatives, all of whom witnessed this heartwarming act of dedication to education and devotion to one's hometown.
Signing Ceremony
