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South China Morning Post

Chinese entrepreneurs' philanthropy helps lure world-class scholars

China's growing number of universities funded by entrepreneurs are attracting more world-class scholars, aligning with Beijing's intensifying push for hi-tech self-sufficiency, analysts said. Advertisement Fuzhou's Fuyao University of Science and Technology (FYUST), established with a US$10 billion donation from billionaire Cao Dewang, the chairman of glass manufacturer Fuyao Group, began enrolling students this year, and says its inaugural faculty line-up includes 15 academicians from home and abroad, covering cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, life sciences and materials science. 'The university currently has 302 faculty members, with 71.2 per cent having overseas study or work experience, including 15 academicians and 56 scientists ranked in the top 2 per cent globally [in their fields],' FYUST vice-president Xu Fei told Xinhua this month. FYUST has recruited renowned scholars from China, as well as North America, Europe and Japan. Among those from overseas, Canadian academicians and professors are particularly prominent, with scholars from the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and Austria also occupying important positions. Many hold prestigious academic honours, such as being fellows of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the UK's Royal Society, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, or members of the Japan Academy. They have previously held positions at top foreign universities, including Cambridge, Toronto, Ulm and Tohoku, according to FYUST's website. Advertisement If foreign scientists can bring their knowledge and patents to China, it will help China bridge the technological gap with the United States and Europe, said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a professor with the department of government and international studies at Hong Kong Baptist University.