Xiaomi Chairman Lei Jun announced a cash donation of 1.3 billion to his alma mater, Wuhan University. At the donation ceremony, he said it would be used to support the development of basic disciplines, scientific and technological innovation and the cultivation of college students at Wuhan University. Lei Jun said that he had two wishes when he was studying at Wuhan University more than 30 years ago. The first wish is that more than 30 years ago, as an outstanding student representative, he was awarded the highest scholarship in Wuhan University at that time, two thousand yuan, sponsored by a company. At that time, I secretly swore in my heart, "No matter how much scholarship I receive today, I will pay it back ten times, a hundred times, or ten thousand times in the future."
The second wish: In 1991, Shaw Building was completed. It was the best teaching building in Wuhan University at that time. I had a small dream. If I have the ability in the future, I would like Shaw to donate a building to Wuhan University. A dream I had many years ago finally became a reality this year.
He said that this donation mainly focuses on three directions: he hopes to support research in the six basic disciplines of mathematics, physics, chemistry, literature, history and philosophy, support scientific and technological innovation such as the research and development of underlying computer core technologies, and support the training of college students. "I hope that through my own little efforts, I can support Wuhan University in creating a more glorious history in the days to come, so that more outstanding engineers, scientists and technology entrepreneurs can appear in China!"
The following is the full text of Lei Jun’s speech:
Dear Secretary Huang, Principal Zhang, distinguished leaders and guests, good morning everyone!
Just now, Principal Zhang, on behalf of his alma mater, awarded me the Outstanding Educational Contribution Award. I was particularly excited.
After graduating from Wuhan University, my alma mater gave me two honors: it awarded me the title of Outstanding Alumni in 2003, and today it gave me the Outstanding Educational Contribution Award.
This is the most important honor in my life. I would like to thank my alma mater for recognizing me.
Today is the 130th anniversary of Wuhan University. At the same time, it was also the moment when an important wish of mine came true.
I personally donated 1.3 billion in cash to my alma mater as a birthday gift to my alma mater to support the development of basic disciplines, technological innovation and the cultivation of college students at Wuhan University.
More than 30 years ago, when I was studying at Wuhan University, I had two wishes:
The first wish: More than 30 years ago, as a representative of outstanding students, I was awarded the highest scholarship at Wuhan University at that time, a full two thousand yuan, sponsored by a company. For a student from an ordinary county family, this is really a huge sum of money. To this day, I still clearly remember the excitement and pride I felt at that time. At that time, I secretly swore in my heart, "The scholarship I received today will be paid back ten times, a hundred times, or ten thousand times in the future." In 1997, six years after graduation, I started donating to my alma mater when my salary was only 4,000 yuan. I started my journey to fulfill my vows by donating money to establish the Lei Jun Scholarship (called the Tengfei Scholarship at the time) at the School of Computer Science, and I have continued to donate for 26 years now. Today, I have finally fulfilled my wish to repay 10,000 times.
The second wish: Shaw Building was completed in 1991. It was the best teaching building in Wuhan University at that time. I really felt very happy when I had classes there. I have a small dream. If I have the ability in the future, I will donate a building to Wuhan University like Mr. Run Run Shaw. A dream I had many years ago finally became a reality this year.
Why donate? First of all, it is the love for my alma mater. Wuhan University taught me knowledge, taught me how to learn, guided me on a lifelong path of scientific and technological exploration, and gave me the most important wealth in my life. Over the years, I always think of the support my alma mater has given me, and my heart is always filled with gratitude. In my mind, Wuhan University is the best university in the world, bar none. I think all the alumni think so too. In order to make Wuhan University better and better, everyone can use practical actions to give back to his alma mater, contribute money if you have money, and contribute if you have the ability. Donate, I never advocate comparison. There were many donations from alumni in this event. Every donation is the alumni’s love for their alma mater and carries the same weight. The last time I donated a building, I offered to donate one dollar less than Senior Chen Dongsheng. Therefore, at Lei Jun Tower, I donated less than 100 million yuan. This time, the donation of 1.3 billion in cash was discussed with senior Chen Dongsheng and received his support. Mainly to celebrate the 130th anniversary of my alma mater, 1.3 billion is a tribute.
This donation mainly focuses on three directions: I hope to support research in the six basic disciplines of mathematics, physics, chemistry, literature, history and philosophy, support scientific and technological innovation such as the research and development of underlying computer core technologies, and support the training of college students. I hope that through my own modest efforts, I can support Wuhan University in creating a more glorious history in the days to come, so that more outstanding engineers, scientists and technology entrepreneurs can appear in China!
Thank you again to Wuhan University, to the school, to all the leaders and teachers, to all the people who have put in a lot of work behind this donation, thank you all!
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