March 18, Duke Kunshan University Education Development Foundation held its first board meeting in 2016 on Duke Kunshan campus. 16 board members including Lu Ang, CEO of Artrade.com, Chen Jingfeng, managing director of China Media Capital, Catherine Lu, managing director of National Agricultural Holdings Ltd., Patrick Cai, senior partner and managing director of Cypress Capital Group, and Wang Jianli, president of CMP Investment and 11 internal board members from Duke Kunshan University and partners for the meeting. Cindy Qiu from SBCVC Pte. Ltd., and Amy Gao from May Foundation also shared their insights as special guests.
The meeting is centered on sharpening the Duke Kunshan case for generating more support. Board members and guests shared their experiences of communicating about Duke Kunshan in terms of its impact and funding needs, and what needs to be honed in the current message. The board also reviewed and voted for the budget and work plan of year 2016.
Denis Simon, executive vice chancellor of Duke Kunshan and executive vice chairman of the foundation kicked off the meeting by inviting input from board members, ‘We are excited to hear from you, and your advice will help move this institution forward. It is the vision we all share that gives us hope and tremendous encouragement.’
Noting the differences between foundations in the U.S. and China, Catherine Lu pointed out, ‘We should build a platform where potential donors feel they can participate in a transparent and meaningful program like Duke Kunshan University, instead of simply asking them for support. Compared with people from the U.S., Chinese people have a different understanding of what a foundation is, and foundations in the two countries are at different stages of development. But now we are glad to see more and more entrepreneurs and successful individuals want to give back to society when they become richer.’
Chen Jingfeng added that Duke Kunshan should further enhance its branding and value proposition ‘Duke Kunshan University is very young and has not established a strong alumni network. Therefore we need to explore new channels of donation.’
To drive the discussion on ‘how to make the case for supporting Duke Kunshan’, university and foundation leaders presented the university’s growth plan, business model, partner roles and foundation updates to the board. Faculty and students shared their experience to showcase of impact of professorships and scholarships to the graduate programs, the Global Health and Environment research centers as well as the undergraduate program in planning.
Angela Lu, CEO of Artrade.com, was excited at the Duke Kunshan’s design of an interdisciplinary liberal arts undergraduate program, ‘Chinese education system differs greatly from that of western countries. The undergraduate program offered by Duke Kunshan will significantly change the whole education system in China. By helping to fund the university, donors are making the history.’
Chen Jingfeng and other board members also expressed strong confidence in the undergraduate education model, and offered to provide internship and job opportunities for future undergraduates at Duke Kunshan University.
