2012-07-02

Shantou University (STU) marked a new milestone today, with the Ministry of Education, the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Li Ka Shing Foundation signing a tripartite agreement to co-develop STU. The agreement was reached to support STU’s continuing reform efforts and to expedite its development as an experimental model for reforms in higher education. The agreement outlines the strong financial and policy support from the Ministry of Education and the Guangdong Provincial Government. STU will be granted a unique status as a national model for education reforms. The Foundation will continue to support STU, leveraging its partnerships with leading universities around the world to assist STU to become an internationally renowned elite mainland university with unique characteristics.

At the signing ceremony, Mr. Hao Ping, Vice Minister of Education, said that the agreement marks a new milestone in the future development of STU. “I hope that Shantou University can maximize the support given by the Ministry of Education and the Guangdong Provincial Government as well as the financial resources provided by the Li Ka Shing Foundation,” he said. “By learning from top international universities, Shantou University can start with a modern education system and a liberalized mindset to forge a new path that befits its unique characteristics.” Mr. Chen Yunxian, Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, said that the agreement demonstrates Guangdong’s commitment to develop a top-flight university and its resolve to implement higher education reforms. Mr. Chen said, “I hope that Shantou University will make good use of this opportunity to further raise its academic standards and solidify its education reforms to create new pathways for the province to transform itself and make significant economic contributions to eastern Guangdong.”

Mr. Li Ka-shing, Honorary Chairman of the STU Council, added, “It is very encouraging for everyone at Shantou University who is dedicated to tertiary education reforms to have the recognition and support of the Ministry of Education and the Guangdong Provincial Government. I have always considered the Foundation to be my Third Son. This Third Son will fortify my commitment to education and my promise to support Shantou University beyond my lifetime.” Attending the STU Commencement Ceremony today, Mr. Li delivered a speech titled “The Future Matters to Me”, sharing with the graduates of STU his secret formula for success. He said, “I believe that if there is a secret formula for success, the most important ingredient is this: your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. Mindset is like the sharpest blade that heightens your aspirations to all that is possible, keeping you alert and attentive against complacency and inertness; it inspires you to serve forever with fortitude and character, to dare to love, to dare to be honest, to dare to be different.”

This article is based on content provided courtesy of the Li Ka Shing Foundation. For the full text of the original announcement, please see here.