On the morning of December 25, 2018, officers of Peking University Education Foundation (USA) (PKUEF (USA)) and Peking University award-winning students who are supported by PKUEF (USA) scholarship programs exchange 2018 was successfully held at Peking University Education Foundation in Beijing. Yuning Li, Secretary General of Peking University Education Foundation, Lin Zhao, President of PKUEF (USA), and Liangyu Tang, Treasurer of PKUEF (USA) attended the meeting and had a cordial exchange with the representatives of the award-winning students. The meeting was hosted by Xiaowen Liao, Project Manager of Business Development of Peking University Education Foundation.

Yuning Li expressed his warm welcome to Liangyu Tang and sincere gratitude to PKUEF (USA) for its continuous support to Peking University. He pointed out that as a benefactor of Peking University, PKUEF (USA) has supported Peking University’s talent cultivation, faculty development, scientific research, international exchange, campus construction and other fields for nearly 20 years, and has contributed to the long-term development of Peking University and the exchanges between the U.S. and China. He believed that with the joint efforts of Peking University and the community, Peking University would endeavor the great mission of building a world-class university and make greater contributions to the country and the world.

Lin Zhao reviewed the background, origins and benefactors’ intentions of the scholarship programs. Zhao pointed out that many programs set up by PKUEF (USA) were groundbreaking, influential and representative, and it was meaningful to communicate with the award-winning students. Zhao hoped to provide more opportunities for the award-winning students to meet with benefactors and share their stories, and would love to witness the growth of the students and enhance mutual understanding.

Liangyu Tang enrolled in the Law School of Peking University in 1991. Tang introduced her study and work experience to the award-winning students. “I feel warm to return to my alma mater and am grateful that I could do something for her by working at PKUEF (USA)”, Tang said. She pointed out that the benefactors of these scholarship programs were entrepreneurs, philanthropists and alumni who had profound affection for Peking University and they were full of positive energy and the role models to the students. “The programs are designed to give students more opportunities so they can be their best”, She said. Tang hoped that the students would inherit this spirit and be able to give back to their alma mater and the society in the future.

The award-winning students expressed their gratitude to the benefactors of the scholarship programs and officers from PKUEF (USA) for their care and support, and shared their own learning and life experiences. Pai Li graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2010 and a master’s degree in 2016, from Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Peking University. He is now the Secretary of the Youth League Committee at the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, responsible for student scholarship programs. Li shared the feeling of being supported by PKUEF (USA) to participate in the Beyond Music: Peking University 120th Anniversary Gala Concert at Lincoln Center in New York in May this year. Li said, “I’m grateful for Peking University and PKUEF (USA) for helping me complete my dream and giving me the opportunity to exchange ideas through music. It is a great way to enhance the exchanges between the U.S. and China and allow more people to hear ‘the sound’ from China and Peking University.” Li regarded working at his alma mater as a bond and hoped to make more contributions to the development of Peking University in the future.

Zeyuan Cen, who got Peking University Alumni Association of Southern California Scholarship, is currently a second-year student majoring in history at Peking Univeristy. “I did not regard the scholarship as the financial aid. Instead, I consider it as a gift from our alumni. I’ve been working hard to pass the care myself”, Cen said.

Zeqing Gao, recipient of the Widjaja Scholarship, is an undergraduate student enrolled in 2015 in the Department of Sociology, Peking University. Gao thanked Peking University Education Foundation for the opportunity to exchange ideas. Gao said, “the scholarship program is a bridge connecting the benefactors and us regardless of age, time and space. I am grateful for the benefactor and the University. I hope we can inherit and develop the spirit of Peking University.”

Zhaoqing Li, Leo KoGuan Scholarship winning student, entered the School of Government of Peking University in 2015. She said that the scholarship provided her not only with substantial financial support which allowed her to focus on her study, but also with “spiritual encouragement as it proved that my hard work has been recognized by the School, and my parents are also proud of me”.

Chen Tan, another Leo KoGuan Scholarship winning student, is a Ph.D. student at the School of Law who enrolled in 2017. Tan introduced her academic experience. “I appreciate that Dr. Leo gave me the opportunity to explore in the field I’m interested in. I hope I could give back to the University and society in the future”, Tan said.

Award-winning students shared with PKUEF (USA) officers their views about the ideals, personal development and the future of Peking University. The exchange ended in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.