‘As a woman and a post-80s new-generation entrepreneur, I believe that a world-class university rooted in China is essential to the education of global talents and China’s development. It is vital for inspiring and teaching our next generation to live a meaningful life,’ says Ms. Guo Tingting, chairman of Beijing Times Films Co., Ltd., who has started a scholarship at Duke Kunshan University aimed at grooming young leaders from Africa. ‘Duke Kunshan University is a very unique university; I believe it will emerge as a new platform for cultivating high-caliber international talents.’
Ms. Guo’s interest in Duke China initiatives started in summer 2015, when she joined a study tour co-organized by Duke University, Duke Kunshan University and Huigu TM. Touched by Duke Kunshan’s vision to spearhead the future of innovative education and to cultivate global leaders with a strong sense of social responsibility, Ms. Guo decided to create a scholarship in her own name to support underprivileged students from Africa and other developing countries to study at Duke Kunshan. She also helped to fund a research project at the university’s Global Health Research Center on management of cardiovascular diseases in Kenya. Through giving to higher education, Ms. Guo hopes to expand her philanthropic vision and pass the mission of philanthropy onto the next generation.
Since its establishment, ‘Guo Tingting Scholarship’ has funded three students from Africa. Kennedy Opondo, one of the recipients, just graduated in May and will continue to pursue his Ph.D. in global health. ‘I owe my success at Duke Kunshan to Ms. Guo. She lifted me from the lowest point of my life to the most comfortable period. With all my bills covered, I only had one thing to worry about- to ensure I made her proud by performing at my very best. I believe I achieved that goal, and I walked out of Duke Kunshan University an accomplished young leader ready to contribute towards reducing global health inequities’ In the future, I will continue to be engaged in collaborative global health research that will inform policy in low and mid income countries.’ Another scholarship recipient from the same program plans to work on malaria control in Tanzania this summer.
Kennedy Oppondo at
Student Exchange Summit
The research project, led by Duke Kunshan’s Global Health Research Center, will carry out studies in impoverished regions in China, India, Vietnam, and Kenya to help improve primary healthcare in developing countries, reduce cardiovascular disease burden, and promote health of all people. This project has proceeded smoothly so far, and the research team will go to Kenya to conduct field study this summer.
‘I hope I can help more students to explore the world and apply their knowledge to real challenges,’ said Guo. Her scholarship will continue to support more students to access world-class education and cutting-edge scientific research to address global challenges.
About Guo Tingting:
Guo Tingting is a film producer and investor, chairman of Beijing Times Films Co., Ltd., founder and chairman of Yiming Foundation. She also serves as director of Blue Focus Communication Group and Lakala Payment Co., Ltd., and is a founding director of Huigu Family.
