On the morning of November 24, in observance of the traditional U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving, more than 20 NYU Shanghai students, faculty and staff, travelled to Mingzhu Lingang Primary School, at the southeastern tip of Shanghai. They brought with them not turkey, but technology -- donating more than 100 computers and printers to the school, and enjoying holiday themed arts and crafts with the kids.
Established a little over a year ago in the growing city of Nanhui New City, the new school was in need of equipment to bolster their information technology education curriculum. After learning about the school’s needs, NYU Shanghai offered to donate equipment to support the development of the school’s IT courses.
After visiting the school premises, Chancellor Yu Lizhong donated, on behalf of NYU Shanghai, 59 computers and 49 printers to Wang Chao, the primary school’s principal. In return, NYU Shanghai students and staff received as Thanksgiving gifts 3D-printed medals, featuring the school mascot, crafted by its students in their 3D class.
“We hope this equipment will help with the education of the children and the growth of the school. We want to use our strengths and resources to support the development of Mingzhu Lingang Primary School. In this new school, we can see the beginning and development of NYU Shanghai itself," said Chancellor Yu.
Students from the two schools then got together for decorative arts and crafts session, painting trees on white t-shirts, making colorful collages, and inscribing heart-shaped words of thanks to a “Wall of Love.” Students, though at first shy, enjoyed their time together in true Thanksgiving spirit.
“I found out about this event through Orgsync and thought volunteering would be a meaningful experience. I had so much fun playing with these kids,” said NYU Shanghai’s Zhang Qiyun ‘20, celebrating Thanksgiving Day for the first time ever this year.
“With both NYU Shanghai and Mingzhu Lingang Primary School being pioneers in their fields, the two schools hope for more interaction and support in the future,” said Chancellor Yu.
