Recently, the Chen Wanhua Scholarship Award Ceremony and Report Meeting were successfully held at the School of Finance, Nankai University. The event was attended by Professor Emeritus Chen Wanhua from McMaster University, Party Secretary of the School of Finance Zhang Yao, Vice Deans Li Zeguang and Wang Yuechao, and Deputy Party Secretary and Vice Dean Gao Shan. The ceremony was hosted by Li Zeguang, who also delivered the welcome speech.

Li Zeguang reflected on the deep connection between Professor Chen Wanhua and Nankai University. As early as 1984, Professor Chen had visited Nankai University to lecture for the “China-Canada Program” and was a key promoter of the “Nankai-York” model. In 2023, he donated HKD 1 million to Nankai University’s School of Finance and established the Chen Wanhua Scholarship, making significant contributions to the development of the school and the enhancement of China-Canada cultural exchanges.

On behalf of the Scholarship Review Committee, Gao Shan introduced the establishment and review process of the Chen Wanhua Scholarship. She elaborated on the selection criteria and evaluation procedures, announced the list of awarded students, and extended congratulations to these outstanding students for their efforts and achievements. She also expressed gratitude to Professor Chen Wanhua for his strong support of Nankai University’s educational endeavors.

During the ceremony, Professor Chen Wanhua and Secretary Zhang Yao presented certificates to the award-winning students and took a group photo to commemorate the occasion.

Award recipient Ma Yanqiong shared her thoughts on receiving the scholarship. She expressed sincere thanks to Professor Chen Wanhua and deep gratitude to the School of Finance for its nurturing. She felt that “studying at Nankai is a fortunate experience” and hoped to continue her studies in the future, contributing to the country’s development.

Zhang Yao warmly congratulated the award-winning students and shared three reflections. First, he emphasized that the Chen Wanhua Scholarship is not just an honor but a legacy, urging finance students to learn from Professor Chen’s sense of responsibility as a Chinese scholar. Second, he encouraged students to cherish the platform and opportunities provided by the school, to broaden their horizons with a practical mindset, and to continuously enhance their skills. Lastly, Zhang Yao hoped that students would take Professor Chen as a role model, value their youth, avoid wasting time, and aspire to broaden their vision, gain benefits with integrity, hone their abilities, and pave their own paths for future development.

Finally, Professor Chen Wanhua delivered a keynote lecture. He encouraged Nankai students to persist in pursuing their dreams, make full use of their time, set clear goals, and never give up easily, drawing from his own academic journey. He called on Nankai students to protect and pass on Chinese culture, break down communication barriers between East and West, and promote cultural exchanges. In conclusion, Professor Chen expressed his hope that the scholarship recipients would turn this encouragement into motivation for progress, contribute to the development of Nankai University’s finance discipline, and engage in the great practice of serving society and building the nation.