The Donation Agreement Signing Ceremony between JINXITANG & The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen was held on 2 September at the Administration Building of the University. Thanks to a generous donation from Shenzhen Hexi Industrial Co., Ltd (also known as JINXITANG), CUHK-Shenzhen will establish its sixth college and name it "Minerva College" as suggested by Ms. Qiao Xue, the company's Chairman.

On behalf of the faculty and students at CUHK-Shenzhen, President Xu Yangsheng extended his gratitude to Chairman Qiao for her unwavering support to the University. He praised Ms. Qiao Xue as an extraordinary woman who built a humble sewing shop into a globally recognized brand of traditional Chinese clothes with tens of thousands of employees. "She has introduced the globe to the sophistication of Suzhou embroidery and Chinese aesthetics. Moreover, she is a generous and open-minded philanthropist who has assisted numerous women and disabled individuals from underprivileged areas in securing jobs." said the president.

  President Yangsheng Xu

In her speech, Ms. Xue Qiao thanked the University for the opportunity to make a donation, and stated that she was privileged to help establish the sixth college at CUHK-Shenzhen. Additionally, she expressed her high hopes for Minerva College students and urged them to become the future pillars of the nation with goodness and virtue in mind.

      Ms. Xue Qiao

Vice President K.C. Yuen and General Manager Liao Yunqiao, representing CUHK-Shenzhen and JINXITANG respectively, signed the donation agreement in the presence of President Xu Yangsheng, Vice Mayor Zheng Hongbo, District Mayor Wang Zefei, and Chairman Qiao Xue.

    Vice President Yuen and General Manager Liao signing the donation agreement

     President Xu presenting certificate for Ms. Qiao

At the conclusion of the ceremony, President Xu Yangsheng expressed gratitude on behalf of the University for the donation and presented Ms. Qiao Xue with a certificate of appreciation for her commitment and support to the University.

Minerva College is the sixth college at CUHK-Shenzhen. Its Chinese name "厚含" translates to "loyalty, inclusiveness, benevolence, and generosity" in English, while the word Minerva is derived from the Roman goddess of wisdom, warfare, art and urban civilisation, as well as the guardian of artists and scholars. The Romans viewed Minerva as the equal of the Greek goddess Athena, who was skilled in needlework, knitting, sewing, and embroidery. As stated by President Xu in his address, "Ms. Qiao Xue is the goddess Minerva who watches over the College. I hope that her wisdom and love will shield Minerva students and guide them to become the pillars of the future with great love and commitment!"