‘The battle for the talent is the most critical issue of this age. We are grateful that so many talents serving on the Foundation’s Board have invested their time, resource and expertise to help us to recruit, cultivate and retain high-caliber students, faculty and staff,’ said Denis Simon, Executive Vice Chairman of the Foundation and Executive Vice Chancellor of Duke Kunshan University in opening the 2018 Duke Kunshan Foundation Board Meeting.
The meeting began with the formal succession of the Foundation’s inaugural Board of Directors, presided by Executive Vice Chairman Denis Simon.
- 9 current board members including Li Hanguo (Chairman) , Feng Cheng (Secretary General), Patrick Cai, Chang Xiaolin, Chen Jingfeng, Wendy Kuran, Shen Jun, Wang Jianli, and Xu Weiqiu were re-elected to serve on a second term.
- 2 new members were approved to join as Directors of the Board.
- Ma Lin, Chairman of Beijing Ju Feng Finance technology Co., Ltd
- Li Ziyuan, Director of Financial Department of Wuhan University.
- 2 new members were approved to serve as Supervisors.
- Li Qixiu, Director of the Chancellor’s Office, Duke Kunshan University
- Ma Junling, Audit Director, Duke Kunshan university
- Jennifer Francis, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Duke University, was approved to join as ex officio member.
Foundation Board Meeting
Feng Cheng, Secretary General of the Foundation and Director of Development and Alumni Relations at Duke Kunshan University, gave the 2017-2018 progress report, which covered incomes & expenditures, fundraising progress, internal governance, etc. Noting the Foundation’s success to date, board members offered advice on fund management, investment strategy, and risk prevention. Denis Simon provided updates on Duke Kunshan’s recent progress and Kevin Chan, Director of Admission and Financial Aid on admission details of the inaugural undergraduate class.
Board Members in Committee Meetings
To further define and distinguish roles of individual members, the Board also voted to approve the Principal Operating Procedures of Board Committees. Ma Lin, Cindy Qiu, Shu Ming and Chen Jingfeng were appointed respectively as Chairs of the Finance and Operation Committee, Development Committee, Investment Committee and Succession Nomination Committee. The four committees then held group meetings to discuss their purposes and responsibilities and to develop immediate action plans. In addition, the board discussed and approved the budget and work plan of fiscal year 2018-2019.
Also at this meeting, Denis Simon announced that Chen Jingfeng, founder of China Yun Capital and Chairman of Da Zhong Pharmaceutical, has recently made donation to support the Campus Artist Program and to promote traditional Chinese culture to Duke Kunshan students. ‘It is both my passion and responsibility as a Chinese national to help more students gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese culture, ‘said Mr. Chen, ‘As the old saying goes, small streams converge to make the sea. I hope that this initiative could encourage more people to take action. Together, we can cultivate more talents who have strong confidence in our culture and the capability to pass on our national spirit.’
Denis Simon awarded donor certificate to Mr. Chen Jingfeng
In summary, Denis Simon thanked all board members again for their ongoing support, “The Board’s candid advice and feedback will guide the Foundation to better play its important role. With the launch of the inaugural Undergraduate Program, we’re excited to work closer with the Board to create more fundraising opportunities and to improve the Foundation’s management, sustaining Duke Kunshan’s new breakthrough in the next phase.’
