Investment professionals are increasingly turning to donations as a way to give back to their alma maters and support the advancement of higher education, a trend that is gaining momentum.
On January 16, Chen Guangming, founder of Ruiyuan Fund, together with Ruiyuan Fund and the Ruiyuan Charity Foundation, donated 130 million yuan to Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This substantial contribution will support areas including medical assistance, scientific research innovation, and the cultivation of forward-thinking talent. Since 2015, Chen Guangming has donated a cumulative total of nearly 200 million yuan to support various initiatives at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Chen Guangming has donated 130 million yuan to his alma mater, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
According to an announcement on Shanghai Jiao Tong University's official WeChat account, the donation was made on January 16 by Chen Guangming, an alumnus who earned his bachelor's degree in 1996 and master's degree in 1999, a university council member, and the founder of Ruiyuan Fund. This generous gift serves as a significant tribute as the university approaches its 130th anniversary.
As per the agreement, Chen Guangming's 130 million yuan donation will be used to establish the "Ruiyuan Young Scientist Award," creating pathways for young researchers by specifically supporting medical aid, innovation in business studies, and departmental development.
Records indicate that since 2015, Chen Guangming has made over ten separate donations to his alma mater, with the cumulative amount nearing 200 million yuan. These funds have been directed towards talent development and academic discipline enhancement. In April 2021, coinciding with the university's 125th anniversary, he donated 30 million yuan to support the Ruiyuan-Sequoia Talent Development Fund and the President's Award. Furthermore, initiatives he established, such as the "Ruiyuan Science and Technology Grand Prize" and the "Ruiyuan Young Scientist Award," have garnered widespread acclaim, with numerous distinguished Jiao Tong scientists and promising young scholars receiving recognition, thereby motivating researchers to delve deeply into original work and strive for groundbreaking achievements.
" I have always considered myself fortunate: 34 years ago, in 1992, I was lucky enough to be admitted from Zhejiang to Jiao Tong University," Chen Guangming reflected in a speech, reminiscing about his student years. "The university years represent the most precious period of one's youth, and I had the opportunity to spend seven wonderful years at my alma mater for both my undergraduate and master's studies." He acknowledged that the university provided not just knowledge but also shaped his character and broadened his horizons, forming the foundational "source of confidence" that has underpinned his over two-decade-long career in finance and his commitment to a long-term investment philosophy.
On April 8, 2026, Shanghai Jiao Tong University will celebrate its 130th anniversary. Chen Guangming expressed that having endured across three centuries, the university has grown stronger through challenges and renewed itself over time. "As alumni of Jiao Tong, we feel immense pride and gratitude," he stated. "We hope to offer our modest contribution as a token of our appreciation for the university's 130th anniversary." This sentiment has crystallized into a comprehensive, long-term support plan that closely aligns with the university's developmental needs as it enters a new phase.
"Throughout my journey, I have been blessed with exceptional mentors and the opportunities of the era, for which I am eternally grateful." This sense of remembrance and gratitude has long been internalized, manifesting as a consistent principle of "remembering the source of one's water" in his actions. Chen Guangming affirmed his commitment to continue walking forward alongside his alma mater, joining fellow Jiao Tong alumni in unlocking future possibilities.
A growing number of figures from the investment community are making significant donations to universities.
In recent years, it has become increasingly common for prominent individuals in China's investment sector to make substantial donations to universities. Several well-known investors have repeatedly contributed funds to their alma maters or educational institutions to support discipline development, talent cultivation, and scientific research innovation.
In June 2025, on behalf of his firm, Xie Huanyu, Partner and Investment Director of Shanghai Minghong Investment Management Co., Ltd., donated to Peking University to establish the "Huanyu Education Development Plan," aimed at supporting talent development and technological innovation at the university.
On November 11, 2025, Beijing Normal University's official WeChat account announced that renowned entrepreneur and investor Duan Yongping had signed an agreement with the Beijing Normal University Education Foundation, donating 220 million yuan. The funds are designated to support the construction of BNU's science and engineering complex and the development of teacher training and cutting-edge disciplines, thereby aiding the cultivation of innovative and interdisciplinary talent.
This was not Duan Yongping's first donation to a university. On October 31, 2025, he made an in-kind donation of 10,000 shares of Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd. stock (valued at approximately 15 million yuan) held by him to the Jiangxi Water Conservancy and Electric Power University Education Development Foundation. This donation, made in his parents' name, established a special education fund to fully support the university's efforts in encouraging teaching and awarding scholarships.
In March 2024, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), Duan Yongping donated securities valued at 100 million yuan to the CEIBS Education Development Foundation. This contribution is entirely dedicated to supporting the long-term sustainable development of CEIBS. On December 31, 2023, Duan Yongping made a large donation totaling over 1 billion yuan to the Zhejiang University Education Foundation. These funds are primarily allocated for university infrastructure, talent development, discipline construction, and faculty and student cultural and sports activities. His cumulative donations to Zhejiang University have now exceeded 1.5 billion yuan.
Back in 2010, Duan Yongping and his wife donated $30 million to their shared alma mater, Renmin University of China. Based on incomplete statistics, Duan Yongping's total charitable contributions over the past 20 years have surpassed 2 billion yuan.