On September 19, 2026, the "Zhou Guangzhao Building" at the School of the Gifted Young, University of Science and Technology of China, funded and named by Yang Yuanqing, officially broke ground. Yang Yuanqing, Chairman and CEO of Lenovo Group, a USTC Board Member, and an alumnus of the 1989 Computer Science Department, returned to his alma mater for the ceremony, joined by USTC Party Secretary Shu Gequn, President Chang Jin, Party Standing Committee Member and Vice President Deng Jiansong, School of the Gifted Young Dean Lu Zhengtian, and other university leaders.
At the ceremony, Yang Yuanqing, along with Shu Gequn and Chang Jin, wielded shovels to lay the first spade of soil for the structure. With this transition from alumni funding to construction, the building, which embodies the academic mission of the gifted young program and the deep aspirations of the alumni community, has entered a new phase of development. According to the plan, the "Zhou Guangzhao Building" will integrate teaching, academic exchange, and research functions, serving the students and faculty of the School of the Gifted Young. Once completed, it will provide improved spaces and conditions for talent cultivation in foundational and interdisciplinary frontier disciplines. Looking ahead, together with the library and the First and Second Teaching Buildings, this new structure will form the core central campus area of USTC East Campus, anchored by the Guo Moruo Square.
During his speech, Yang noted that the donation reflects both his gratitude to his alma mater and his high hopes for the gifted students. He emphasized that USTC's gifted young program carries not only the aspirations of exceptionally young scholars but also the national pursuit of rejuvenation and strength. Recognizing that this era is defined by artificial intelligence fundamentally resetting the logic of research, industry, and society, the demand for original innovation, interdisciplinary perspectives, and long-term commitment has become more urgent than ever. He expressed his hope that the "Zhou Guangzhao Building" will foster better growth conditions, allowing students to let curiosity drive their research, enabling cross-disciplinary integration, and providing young people the space to find directions worthy of lifelong dedication.
In his remarks, USTC Party Secretary Shu Gequn first extended heartfelt gratitude to Yang Yuanqing and Lenovo Group for their longstanding support of the university. He stated that the "Zhou Guangzhao Building" is built for talent development and stands for scientific spirit, representing not just a teaching and research facility but a responsibility toward nurturing the talent the nation needs for the future. The university aims not only to construct the building but also to utilize it effectively, making it a significant venue for promoting the spirit of scientists, an important platform for deepening educational reforms, and a cherished home for young students pursuing scientific dreams, so more outstanding youth can move from this space to the forefront of technology and national priorities.
The enduring commitment to building a foundation for the growth of exceptional talent. Cultivating top scientists and leaders in foundational and emerging cross-disciplinary fields remains the founding mission of USTC's gifted young program. Through the university's deep academic roots, this program emphasizes both a rigorous scholarly base and the spark of intellectual curiosity and creativity, with this new building set to further support such educational goals.
From establishing the "Yang Yuanqing Education Fund" at USTC in 2017, to aiding the university's public health research in 2020, to a 200 million RMB donation in 2023 dedicated to the new building for the School of the Gifted Young, Yang's support for his alma mater has now spanned nearly a decade. Notably, the 2023 contribution marked the largest single personal donation from an alumnus in USTC's history. While each gift targeted different academic needs, Yang has consistently focused on scientific research and top-tier talent cultivation, demonstrating a long-term philosophy of giving back to education.
The building has been named "Zhou Guangzhao Building" in tribute to the scientific giant and to carry forward his spirit of rigor, bold innovation, integration of theory and practice, practical application, and a commitment to mentoring the next generation. Yang expressed that a university's most precious asset is not funding or architecture, but the enduring spirit of relentless ascension and profound inquiry. He anticipates that upon its completion, this building will embody this spirit in a new, future-oriented space, allowing students the room for thorough foundational research and bold cross-disciplinary exploration, preparing them to go where AI and fundamental science need them most.
Shaping the intelligent future with cutting-edge AI capabilities. This vision for future-oriented talent development mirrors Yang Yuanqing's own journey through the technology industry. Following his graduation from USTC's Computer Science Department, Yang joined Lenovo, helping guide it from a "PC maker" into a leading enterprise in the global AI ecosystem, spanning computing infrastructure, smart terminals, and industry solutions. From the proliferation of personal computers to the rapid application of AI, he has witnessed how technology scales into practical use and has continuously confronted the evolving demands that technology shifts place on innovation and talent.
In recent years, Lenovo has advanced its hybrid AI strategy, conducting R&D and practical applications in personal and enterprise intelligence, pushing AI into manufacturing, energy, transportation, and retail. The development of AI increasingly necessitates the synergy of diverse knowledge areas, raising expectations for talent's abilities to grasp complex problems, connect disciplines, and continuously innovate. These industry shifts are making the value of foundational and inter-disciplinary talent even more clear. While AI is enhancing scientific research tools, translating these capabilities into original breakthroughs still requires researchers with profound expertise, independent scientific judgment, and the patience for long-term focus on critical issues.
The gifted young program's mission of cultivating top scientists and leaders aligns with these contemporary needs. USTC's rich history of foundational research and its educational traditions provide strong support for young students to build a solid base and explore the cutting edge. Once completed, the "Zhou Guangzhao Building" will represent more than an expansion of teaching and research capabilities; it embodies a forward-looking commitment to better align foundational scientific breakthroughs with the nation's frontier technology goals. From the fertile ground of innovation in Hefei, and from this unique educational environment, the building connects the depth of basic research with the heights of future talent. Yang said, "What ultimately determines the height of a building is not bricks and mortar, but the people it shapes and the spirit it fosters." He looks forward to seeing, years from now, that significant breakthroughs and key figures in scientific advancement trace their origins back to a shared starting point: the "Zhou Guangzhao Building."
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