Editor’s Note: Ji Defa, President of Shanghai STEP Electric Co., Ltd., donated 10 million yuan to his alma mater, Shandong University, on November 25, 2019, to support the cause of educational development. The following is excerpted from a report by the Shandong University Education Foundation.
 

Ten million! As Shandong University is about to celebrate its 60th anniversary and the School of Control Science and Engineering marks its 70th anniversary, alumnus Ji Defa has donated 10 million yuan. Support the development of education at Shandong University.
 

In the afternoon of November 25, the donation ceremony for alumnus Ji Defa was solemnly held in Mingde Building on the central campus of Shandong University. Attending the event were Ji Defa, an alumnus of Shandong University, and Fan Liming, President of Shandong University. The ceremony was chaired by Wang Qilong, Executive Vice President of Shandong University.
 

In her speech, Fan Liming expressed the gratitude of all faculty members, staff, and students on behalf of the university to alumnus Ji Defa for his generous donation to support education and give back to his alma mater. She noted that over the years, alumnus Ji Defa has made numerous donations to his alma mater, selflessly supporting the development of the university’s control science discipline and the construction of the Qingdao campus. Today, once again, he has generously donated a substantial sum of money, fully demonstrating... Dedicated to Shandong University, giving back to my alma mater. His sincere dedication has injected powerful momentum into the development of the university. Alumnus Ji Defa is not only an entrepreneur endowed with humanistic情怀 and a spirit of innovation, but also an outstanding representative of the 600,000 Shandong University alumni. In him, we see the Shandong University ethos of "valuing truth and pursuing innovation" as well as the deep sense of responsibility toward family, country, and the world.
 
Fan Liming emphasized that the development of our alma mater is inseparable from the care and support of every alumnus and alumna. Facing the historical juncture of a new era, Shandong University remains true to its original aspiration of “cultivating talented individuals for the nation,” shoulders the historic mission of strengthening the university and rejuvenating the country, and on its 118th anniversary, released the “Action Plan for Strengthening the University and Rejuvenating the Nation—120 Years of Shandong University.” This plan will guide the 600,000 Shandong University alumni in pursuing their dreams of building a strong education system and advancing on the path of national rejuvenation, comprehensively promoting the construction of a world-class university. Against this backdrop, the donation made by alumnus Ji Defa takes on even greater significance. Of extraordinary significance and far-reaching impact This further sounds the rallying cry for alumni to join forces in supporting Shandong University’s mission of “strengthening the university and boosting the nation over its 120th anniversary.” It will play a positive leading and exemplary role in uniting alumni strength to propel the university toward a historic transformation—from large to strong—and in harnessing the tremendous collective energy of all Shandong University members to pragmatically contribute to the prosperity of our country.
 

In his speech, the Gide Law alumni remarked that although it has been more than 30 years since he graduated from Shandong University’s School of Control Engineering, his affection for his alma mater has only grown stronger over time. He expressed that making a donation has long been a cherished wish of his. He stated that in the future, he will always keep in mind his alma mater’s educational mission and do his modest part to contribute to its development. I wish Shandong University would soon become a world-class university.
 

At the ceremony, Wang Fei, Secretary-General of the Shandong University Education Foundation, signed a donation agreement with alumnus Ji Defa, and Fan Liming presented alumnus Ji Defa with a donation certificate.
 
Liu Liping, wife of a Jide Law School alumnus; Xiao Weirong, an alumnus of the Electrical Engineering Department, Class of 1978, and Vice President of the Shanghai Alumni Association; Sang Xiaomin, a member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Director of the Publicity Department at Shandong University; as well as responsible officials from the Party Office, the General Office, the Youth League Committee, the Department of Cooperative Development, the School of Control Science and Engineering, and the University Anniversary Office, along with representatives from faculty and students of several colleges, attended the ceremony.

After the ceremony, alumnus Ji Defa attended the “Yu Xian” Alumni Forum. Drawing on his own life experiences, Mr. Ji Defa engaged in an open and enriching exchange with the young faculty and students in attendance. Following his sharing, the students eagerly asked questions based on their own reflections, engaging in a warm and heartfelt dialogue with Mr. Ji Defa. The spirits of two generations of Shandong University alumni were closely intertwined through this lively back-and-forth exchange of questions and answers.

Magnificent Shandong University, with a long and illustrious history; together we’ll celebrate its 120th anniversary. Shandong University, with a history spanning over a century, has nurtured countless outstanding graduates and produced a wealth of talented individuals. As our alma mater approaches its 120th anniversary, alumni who have steadfastly upheld the Shandong University spirit have returned to their long-lost campus once again, presenting a heartfelt tribute to mark this momentous occasion and ensuring that the spirit of Shandong University endures forever.
 
Source of the document: Lu Menglei, Liu Xin, Zhu Mengqi
Image source: Zhang Dandan, Publicity Department
Editor-in-charge: Liu Xin, Miao Lu

Email:
market@stepelectric.com

Address:
No. 1560, Siyi Road, Jiading District, Shanghai Municipality