On 4 October 2023, the Handover Ceremony for Yaoming Group’s donation to Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) was held in front of the A3 Library. On behalf of the university, XMUM President Prof. Wang Ruifang received the donation of 2 coaches, 2 coaster buses and 1 MPV from Mr. Yao Ming, Xiamen University (XMU) Class of 1985 Alumnus. Prof. Zhu Chongshi, XMU President from 2003 to 2017, and Mr. Zeng Guobin, Secretary-general of XMU Education Development Foundation, witnessed the handover.

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XMU Class of 1985 Alumnus, President of XMU Alumni Association of Xiamen, and Chairman of Yaoming Group, Mr. Yao Ming gave a moving speech to the staff and student representatives attending the ceremony. Mr. Yao said that he was greatly inspired by the spirit of XMU founder, Mr. Tan Kah Kee, who dedicated all his wealth to the noble cause of education. As an alumnus of XMU, he would like to contribute his own part to make his alma mater even better. He has chosen to focus on donating buses to help enhance the commuting services among Xiamen University’s many campuses. Furthermore, as school buses need to be retired and replaced after certain years of service, Mr. Yao pledged to follow up with more donations in the years to come.

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XMU President from 2003 to 2017, and Honorary Director of Xiamen University General Alumni Association, Prof. Zhu Chongshi came all the way from China to attend this Handover Ceremony. Prof. Zhu praised Mr. Yao Ming’s generous support to his alma mater as putting into practice the Tan Kah Kee spirit. As the XMU president during whose terms in office the decision to establish XMUM was made, Prof. Zhu talked about why XMU chose to set up a branch campus in Malaysia. “More than one hundred years ago, the founder of XMU achieved his business success in the land of Malaya and returned to China to establish XMU in 1921. More than 90 years later, to honour its founder, XMU accepted the invitation of the Malaysian government to set up a branch campus in Malaysia, as an act of historical reciprocation.” Prof. Zhu was glad to note that after ten years of hard work, XMUM has achieved great success. He encouraged the staff and students of XMUM to continue to strive for higher goals.

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Prof. Wang Ruifang said that over the years, the noble example of Mr. Tan has inspired generations of XMU staff and students to follow in his footsteps. Alumni donation has become a cherished tradition of XMU. The generous donation of Mr. Yao Ming vividly demonstrated the strong bond between XMU and its students. He was confident that Mr. Yao’s example would encourage XMUM staff and students to carry forward the spirit of Mr. Tan Kah Kee, doing their best in their work and study.

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