On the morning of October 24, Ningbo University celebrated its 40th anniversary. Professor Anna Pao Sohmen, eldest daughter of Mr. YK Pao, Director of World-Wide Shipping, and Honorary President of Ningbo University, attended the celebration.
Professor Anna Pao Sohmen and President Ronggen Cai at Ningbo University's 40th anniversary delebration
In 1984, when Mr. YK Pao visited his hometown of Ningbo, he lamented, "With a population of 5 million, Ningbo doesn't have a single university. Higher education is so underdeveloped—how can this be?" The following year, he signed an agreement with the Ningbo municipal government and donated 20 million USD, or the equivalent to approximately 50 million RMB at the time, to establish Ningbo University, creating the miracle of building a university in one year. Subsequently, Mr. YK Pao made further donations to construct Ningbo University's sports center and library.
Mr. YK Pao (first left) and his wife Madam Huang Su Ying (second right), Minister of Tourism Lu Xuzhang and Acting Prime Minister Wan Li at the groundbreaking ceremony of Ningbo University in 1985.
In her speech, Professor Anna Pao Sohmen affectionately reviewed the development of Ningbo University. She said, "Forty years ago, I stood here with my late father, holding shovels to kick off the groundbreaking ceremony for Ningbo University. Forty years later, Ningbo University has grown into a leading university with 36,000 students, fullfilling my father's dream." She pointed out that the greatest advantage of Ningbo University is the strong backing of the 'Ningbo Merchants Group' .
Mr. YK Pao, his wife Madam Huang Su Ying and Acting Prime Minister Wan Li at the Opening Ceremony of Ningbo University in 1986
Pao Yushu Science Building, Ningbo University
YK Pao once said, "Building a great Ningbo University relies on everyone's efforts; I have only taken the lead." Today, this love for the hometown has been passed down to the third generation—Professor Anna Pao Sohmen and her son, Philip Sohmen, jointly donated projects such as the YK Pao Running Track and YK Pao Park, and rallied over 70 fellow Ningbo natives to lend their full support of the university. Looking to the future, she advised the university to attract and retain top-tier talent, strengthen technological development by integrating with the manufacturing industry, and emphasised that "in the age of AI, we must never forget the development of the humanities."
Philip Sohmen delivered a video address at the donation appreciation ceremony
At the donation appreciation ceremony held on the same day, Ningbo University presented donation certificates to representatives of the 'Ningbo Merchants Group' who had generously contributed to this anniversary celebration. Philip Sohmen, grandson of YK Pao, delivered a video address. He stated that since his grandfather donated to found the university, total donations from the 'Ningbo Merchants Group' have exceeded 900 million RMB. "This is not just a number, but a legacy of contribution toward our country and hometown."
From YK Pao's pioneering foundation to the Pao family's continuous passing of the torch, this support has never ceased. Following Mr. Pao's passing, Professor Anna Pao Sohmen, her three sisters and YK Pao's brother Pao Yue‑Shu, jointly donated over 40 million RMB to support the construction of teaching buildings, and recruiting of leading international academic leaders overseas.
In 2016, Professor Anna Pao Sohmen and Mr Philip Sohmen jointly donated 5 million RMB to build the YK Pao Running Track. In 2018, they again donated 8 million RMB to establish the 'YK Pao – Ningbo University Youth Exchange Fund' to support the university's youth exchange programs. In 2021, they donated another 5 million RMB for the renovation and construction of YK Pao Park.
Mr. Pao Yushu, the elder brother of Mr. YK Pao, along with Professor Anna Sohmen Pao, donated to build Building 4 of Ningbo University in 1998
The four sisters of the Pao family donated toward the construction of Building 5 of Ningbo University in 1998
Inauguration ceremony of 'Ningbo University YK Pao Runway' in 2018
