Ningde Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) Chairman, Robin Zeng, has made a significant donation of 1.5 million CATL shares to the Ningde High Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The contribution, made on October 15th during the 2026 World Energy Storage Conference, is valued at approximately 400 million yuan based on the current stock price.
A Strategic Partnership for Innovation
The Ningde High Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, a collaborative research institution, was established in Ningde in June 2026. It is a joint venture involving the Ningde Municipal People’s Government, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Fujian Provincial Department of Education, and CATL. Importantly, it is not a branch campus but a direct integration of research teams into the industrial forefront of Ningde.
Positioned as a pilot zone for the integrated reform of “education, science and technology, and talent,” the institute is a key project in Fujian Province’s “15th Five-Year Plan.” Leveraging Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s top-tier disciplines, talent, and research capabilities, and aligning with Ningde’s strategic goal of building a world-class new energy industry cluster, the institute aims to be a world-class new research entity. It focuses on four integrated functions: excellent talent cultivation, cutting-edge scientific research and innovation, industrial achievement transformation, and government decision-making consultation.
Pioneering Graduate Education in New Energy
The institute recently announced the commencement of its 2027 postgraduate admissions on October 10th. It will enroll full-time professional master’s students with a study period of 2.5 years, comprising one year of on-campus study followed by 1.5 years of practical experience at the institute. Approximately 50 master’s students are slated for admission in 2027, with a special allocation of 20 spots for CATL co-trained students.
With the support of leading global industry and technological forces like CATL, students will be deeply involved in research and development from the outset. Their studies will encompass cutting-edge areas such as new energy batteries, perovskite photovoltaics, zero-carbon systems, embodied intelligence, electric vehicles, electric ships, electric aircraft, smart healthcare, and smart factories, all contributing to the development of new quality productive forces.
The academic program adheres to Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s postgraduate student management regulations. The first academic year will be spent on the Shanghai Jiao Tong University campus for coursework. From the second year onwards, students will conduct research and practical training at the Ningde High Research Institute until graduation. Upon completion, they will receive diplomas and degree certificates identical to those of other graduate students in the same major from the admitting department. A dual mentorship system, involving experts from leading enterprises like CATL and high-level scholars from the university, will provide collaborative guidance.
State-of-the-Art Facilities Under Development
The first phase of the institute’s project is situated by the Ningde seaside, adjacent to CATL’s 21C Lab. This phase includes a research and teaching building designed for multiple functions such as teaching practice, scientific research experiments, a computing center, conference presentations, and sports and health activities. The building will have a total construction area of approximately 23,000 square meters and is scheduled for delivery in December 2027.
The second phase of the project is planned for Lankou, Ningde, covering a site area of 200-300 mu (approximately 133,000-200,000 square meters) with a planned construction area of about 180,000 square meters. Completion is anticipated in 2029. The architectural design will harmonize with the mountainous terrain, creating a new campus centered around cutting-edge research in energy storage, photovoltaic technology, health technology, and an AI-native campus environment.
