The NYU Shanghai Education Development Foundation held a ceremony on October 28 at the New Bund campus to name the 9th floor Colloquium in honor of longtime NYU Shanghai supporter VCREDIT.
The event was hosted by Assistant Vice Chancellor, Chief Development Officer, and NYU Shanghai Education Development Foundation Board Chair Rime Sun, with VCREDIT CEO Stephen Liu and General Manager Xue Lan present to witness the unveiling.
Chancellor Tong welcomed the VCREDIT leadership and expressed his heartfelt thanks for the company’s ongoing support. He emphasized that this partnership not only reinforces the university’s commitment to education and talent development but also exemplifies VCREDIT’s strong dedication to advancing education.
Vice Chancellor Lehman reflected on his first visit to VCREDIT’s headquarters, underscoring the company’s commitment to environmental protection, social responsibility, and corporate governance (ESG), which closely aligns with NYU Shanghai’s educational mission.
VCREDIT CEO Stephen Liu praised NYU Shanghai’s strong faculty team and international campus environment, which nurture innovative global talent. “I hope that VCREDIT Colloquium will become a platform for sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas, sparking wisdom and creativity for years to come,” he remarked.
VCREDIT General Manager Xue Lan, an East China Normal University alumna and a parent of an NYU graduate, spoke about her enduring connection with NYU Shanghai. Frequently traveling between Shanghai and New York, she has witnessed NYU Shanghai’s growth firsthand, building meaningful relationships with students and alumni and celebrating their journeys in personal and academic development. She shared a message with students: “Use your time on campus as a stepping stone to explore the broader world and its limitless possibilities.”
VCREDIT has supported NYU Shanghai for many years. In 2019, the company established the VCREDIT Scholarship Fund for Global Talents, which awards financial aid and scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students. Over the years, VCREDIT has had a vital role in supporting numerous ESG initiatives and student activities at NYU Shanghai, guided by its commitment to “FinTech for Good.”
At the event, Xu Ping, director of Student Involvement in Student Affairs, introduced three student organizations related to environmental protection, social responsibility, and corporate governance and social governance: the Dean’s Service Corps (DSC), Student Government’s Environmental Sustainability Committee, and Green Shanghai. Chen Ran ’27, shared her personal experience of joining a Dean’s Service Corps trip to Yunnan working on environmental conservation initiatives.
Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs Diane Geng, also the director of the Community Engaged Learning Office (CELO), introduced students who participated in student programs funded by VCREDIT. Pitchakorn Siripakorn ’25 shared his reflections on a three-day immersive learning trip to Yunnan in Spring 2024. “During the trip, I learned a Chinese proverb: ‘Traveling ten thousand miles is better than reading ten thousand books,’” he noted. “We developed a profound connection with Yunnan that extended far beyond the classroom.”
VCREDIT Global Talents Scholars Julie Wu ’25 and Harrison Ding ’26 also spoke at the event, sharing their experiences with NYU Shanghai activities and how their involvement in social action, service work, and cultural exchange has enriched their university journey. “Choosing NYU Shanghai was perhaps the most important and correct decision I’ve ever made,” said Ding, speaking remotely through video from NYU’s Paris study away site. “Paris has one of the best political science programs in the world, and I’m working hard to learn French, with hopes of continuing my studies in France.”
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students David Pe emphasized the significance of VCREDIT’s support in creating opportunities for students. “We hope that through the various activities and projects offered at NYU Shanghai, students can continue to grow, carry these experiences with them, and apply their talents in different fields and spaces to become true global citizens,” he stated.
