In the long history, agriculture is the foundation of human. In the great China, agriculture is the foundation of the country. On October 18, 2020, “The Strategic Cooperation & Donation Signing Ceremony between Nanjing Agricultural University and Duolun Technology Co., Ltd.” was held at Nanjing Agricultural University. The signing ceremony was attended by Chen Ligen (secretary of CPC Nanjing Agricultural University Committee), Zhou Jiannong (an alumnus of Nanjing Agricultural University, chairman and secretary of CPC Committee of The Federation of Jiangsu Returned Overseas Chinese), Zhang Anqiang (board chairman of Duolun Technology) and some representatives, and the leaders of both sides. Personnel from administrative departments and colleges of Nanjing Agricultural University, staff representatives of Duolun Technology and student representatives witnessed this wonderful moment.

Chen Ligen, Secretary of CPC Nanjing Agricultural University Committee

       Chen Ligen, secretary of CPC Nanjing Agricultural University Committee, said in his opening remarks: Mr. Zhang Zhiwen, the grandfather of board chairman Zhang Anqiang and the fifth dean of the Agricultural College of University of Nanking (the precursor of Nanjing Agricultural University), was a pioneer of modern higher agricultural education in China. He led the development of the Agricultural College for 11 years (1937-1948) and underwent the hard times of War of Resistance against Japan. His teaching philosophy and his contributions by “strengthening agriculture to serve China” still embody profound meaning and guide us today.

       As a descendant of Mr. Zhang Zhiwen, board chairman Zhang Anqiang comes here with the nostalgia for his grandfather and the deep love for Nanjing Agricultural University, linking the emotional connection between his grandfather and him across a century. To promote the construction and development of the university through university-enterprise strategic cooperation fully highlights the deep affection of Mr. Zhang and Duolun Technology for Nanjing Agricultural University and their strong sense of responsibility for the development of Chinese higher education.

Liu Yingjun, Deputy Secretary of CPC Nanjing Agricultural University Committee, Presided over the Ceremony

Board chairman Zhang Anqiang told the audience his story. Encouraged by his grandfather, he spent relentless efforts to realize his business dream. His story deeply touched the audience.

       “The 118-year history of Nanjing Agricultural University is the fruit made by generations of educators who stuck to their missions, including my grandfather Zhang Zhiwen. It is an honour to name the library of the Jiangbei campus of Nanjing Agricultural University in Mr. Zhang Zhiwen’s name. It is not only a tribute to my grandfather, but also a wish that his spirit and the spirit of Nanjing Agricultural University can be passed on forever. Universities cultivate talents and enterprises need talents. Only when universities and enterprises are closely connected can talents deliver more of their value”, he said.

Zhang Anqiang, Board Chairman of Duolun Technology

Hu Feng (vice president) and Mr. Zhang Anqiang, respectively representing Nanjing Agricultural University and Duolun Technology, signed the strategic cooperation & donation Agreement. Zhang Anqiang presented the donation cheque of RMB 20 million to the university. Gao Liguo (deputy secretary of CPC Nanjing Agricultural University Committee and secretary of CPC Discipline Inspection Commission at Nanjing Agricultural University) presented Zhang Anqiang with the donation certificate and commemorative oil painting. Secretary Chen Ligen presented Zhang Anqiang with the university’s first honorary alumni certificate (No. 2020001).

The Signing Ceremony

        The donation of RMB 20 million will be used for the construction of the library in the Jiangbei campus of Nanjing Agricultural University. The two parties will jointly set up Zhang Zhiwen Education Fund and cooperate in terms of the cultivation of talents and the construction of smart campus to jointly fulfill the mission of serving the country by promoting agriculture, and fully support the development of agricultural science and education.

Zhou Jiannong, Chairman and Secretary of CPC Committee of The Federation of Jiangsu Returned Overseas Chinese 

        Zhou Jiannong (chairman and secretary of CPC Committee of The Federation of Jiangsu Returned Overseas Chinese) delivered a speech as the representative of guests. She stated that the donation to Nanjing Agricultural University from Zhang Anqiang and Wang Dongdong (his wife) materialized their original aspiration to contribute to the society and their salute to their grandfather Mr. Zhang Zhiwen for his great job. This also illustrated that they inherited deep family tradition and bore home & nation in heart forever. 

In the future, the two parties will comprehensively deepen the joint training of talents by integrating enterprises’ innovation with the advantage of practice platform. They will promote the multidisciplinary systems to jointly build a “highland” for practice and teaching, comprehensively deepen the scientific and technological collaborative innovation, and explore & cooperate in agricultural AI, agricultural equipment and big data technology. Besides, they will comprehensively deepen the cooperation of social service, center on national major strategies and regional key needs, and rely on the platform-base system of both parties to help promote the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, improve farmers’ living standard and serve rural vitalization in an all-round way.