On the morning of February 26, as Shanghai Jiao Tong University celebrated its 130th anniversary, a donation signing ceremony for the "JI Hotel Humanities Development Fund" and an appointment ceremony for Ji Qi as a university trustee were held at the Conference Center of the Wenbo Building on the Minhang campus.

Ji Qi, a renowned entrepreneur and founder of H World Group, who earned his bachelor's degree in engineering mechanics in 1989 and his master's degree in mechanical engineering in 1992 from the university, donated 100 million yuan to his alma mater to support its various development initiatives.

University leaders, including Party Secretary Yang Zhenbin, President and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Ding Kuiling, along with representatives from relevant departments and schools, attended the ceremony. Distinguished guests from various enterprises and foundations also witnessed this significant event.

During the ceremony, Ji Qi and Ding Kuiling signed the donation agreement for the "JI Hotel Humanities Development Fund." Subsequently, Yang Zhenbin and Ding Kuiling presented Ji Qi with a donation certificate and a plaque of appreciation. They also jointly issued the letter of appointment for his trustee position.

Yang Zhenbin expressed gratitude for Trustee Ji Qi's generous donation, noting that Ji Qi has deeply integrated his unique life insights, entrepreneurial wisdom, and humanistic spirit into every step of the university's high-quality development, demonstrating the responsibility and commitment of Jiao Tong University members to honor the school motto of "Remembering the Source, Loving the Country, and Glorifying the University."

Ding Kuiling, representing the university, delivered a tribute praising Ji Qi's journey. The tribute highlighted three phases of his life: his diligent pursuit of knowledge during his studies, his success in founding three listed companies with a mission to "serve people, bring joy, and beautify life," and his integration of aesthetics into hotel spaces and philosophy into business management over decades.

Ji Qi's story is well-known. As a benchmark figure in China's serial entrepreneurship field, he successively founded Ctrip, Home Inns, and H World Group. Few know, however, that the seeds of his softer side were planted forty years ago.

In the autumn of 1985, the 19-year-old Ji Qi was admitted to Shanghai Jiao Tong University from Rudong, Jiangsu province. Although he enrolled in the Engineering Mechanics department, he often spent his time in the library. The works of philosophers like Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and Heidegger illuminated his world.

During his sophomore year, sitting under a parasol tree on campus, he pondered a fundamental question: Why do people live? Years later, when asked whether he preferred to be called an entrepreneur or a thinker, he replied, "I just want to be a living person." This statement perhaps explains all his subsequent choices.

As an "IT professional," he deconstructed and then reconstructed the traditional hotel industry, defining his corporate mission as "serving people, bringing joy, and beautify life."

In his speech, Ji Qi recalled his student years at the university. "The seven years I spent studying at Jiao Tong were the most important period of my life. The university gave me not only professional knowledge but also training in humanistic literacy and a group of like-minded friends," he said.

Reflecting on the era of rapid artificial intelligence development, he shared his thoughts: "In the age of AI, I hope to bring world-class masters to the campus, providing students with opportunities to quietly appreciate the humanistic spirit, just as I gained immensely during my time here."

Ji Qi has consistently shown concern for his alma mater's development, frequently returning to participate in related events. In a past lecture on innovation and entrepreneurship, he shared his decade-long entrepreneurial journey and extraordinary experiences with students, expressing pride in being a Jiao Tong alumnus. In 2016, he served as co-chair of the first council of the Jiao Tong University Alumni Association's Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Federation. That same year, he participated in forums and lectures, discussing his personal experiences and insights on innovation and talent cultivation. In 2021, during the university's 125th anniversary, he returned to express gratitude for his education and pride in the university's rapid development, encouraging more outstanding Jiao Tong students to contribute to the cultural and tourism industry.

On the occasion of the 130th anniversary, Ji Qi's substantial donation represents a heartfelt response to the university's spirit and the challenges of the times, embodying the school's motto. Forty-one years have passed since he first stepped onto the Jiao Tong campus.

The fund will be utilized to bring more world-class masters from fields such as philosophy, literature, art, and history to the university. Their insights and dialogues with young students are expected to plant seeds of truth, goodness, and beauty, fostering a spiritual foundation that will support students throughout their lives.

The university pledges to use every cent of the fund effectively, ensuring the "JI Hotel Humanities Development Fund" serves as a bridge connecting technology and the humanities, enabling Jiao Tong students to possess not only strong technical skills but also warm hearts.

This generous contribution, nurturing academia and preserving cultural heritage, is like a stone cast into the river of time. The ripples it creates will nourish generations of students, helping them find their own answers at the intersection of technology and the humanities.