On the morning of March 28, a ceremony marking the donation and archiving of books from Yang Xiong, along with the opening of the dedicated section, took place in the University Library. The event was attended by Yang Xiong’s family member Ms. Shen Peiqi, Chair of the University Governing Board Jiang Mianheng, and other university leaders. The ceremony was presided over by Executive Vice President and Provost Yin Jie.
Yang Xiong was born in Shanghai in November 1953 and began his career in November 1969. He was among the first cohort of university students admitted after China reinstated the college entrance examination, graduating from the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In July 1985, he started working in Shanghai, where he held various positions, including vice mayor of Shanghai, deputy secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, and mayor of Shanghai. He passed away due to illness in Shanghai on April 12, 2021. In June 2019, Yang Xiong was appointed chair of the second session of the University Governing Board of ShanghaiTech University. During his appointment, he dedicated significant effort to ShanghaiTech’s planning, construction, and development, and made substantial contributions.
Yang Xiong’s family members stamping the donated books for archiving.
The donated collection, totaling 1,518 titles and 1,774 volumes, was meticulously categorized and organized over two years by Ms. Shen Peiqi. The books span diverse fields such as politics, economics, science and technology, literature, and art. They include not only research series on economic reform, but also exquisite English-language art albums. These books fill gaps in the university library’s collection, offering unique academic value and humanistic insight, and providing students and faculty with a precious opportunity to explore knowledge and engage with classics.
Donated books being shelved.
Vice President Zhu Zhiyuan emphasized that the university will uphold the principle of “integrating preservation with utilization” for the donated books, ensuring they transition from mere “collections” to shared resources. This aligns with the expectations of Yang Xiong’s family, transforming their generous gift into a spark for academic innovation.
Wu Tong, a 2024 graduate student from the School of Biomedical Engineering, spoke as a student representative. She noted that the university’s rich cultural atmosphere offers students a broad platform for knowledge-seeking. This donated collection of classic works will inspire young students to draw wisdom from books and embrace their mission in this era.
Party Secretary Li Ruxin expressed heartfelt gratitude to Yang Xiong’s family. He stated that the archiving of these precious books is not only a fitting tribute to Yang Xiong but also a valuable spiritual legacy for the university’s students and faculty. He underscored the university’s commitment to advancing the development of a high-level research university, turning Yang Xiong’s vision for ShanghaiTech into tangible achievements.
Li Ruxin delivering an address.
Ms. Shen Peiqi, speaking as the family representative, fondly recalled the two-year process of categorizing the book collection. She described these treasured volumes as a reflection of Yang Xiong’s lifelong dedication. As a key participant and witness to ShanghaiTech’s establishment and growth, Yang Xiong always cared deeply about its development, and these books embody his earnest hopes for nurturing students. Shen Peiqi expressed her wish that the collection would provide high-quality academic resources for the university community and support its efforts in talent development.
Jiang Mianheng presenting Ms. Shen Peiqi with a donation certificate.
Finally, Jiang Mianheng presented Ms. Shen Peiqi with a certificate of donation, marking the official opening of the Yang Xiong’s Book Donation Section in the library, making it fully accessible to students and faculty.