The Chen Yidan Foundation, founded by the Core Founder of Tencent, Dr. Charles Chen Yidan, has donated S$6 million to Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. The donation will allow NTU to attract elite talent from around the globe in the field of artificial intelligence to advance AI education and research, as well as become a leader in the community of thought leaders in AI.
As part of this gift, NTU will establish the Yidan Professorship in AI, an endowed position designed to help shape the university's academic and research initiatives in AI and its applications in education. The Chen Yidan Foundation, known for its commitment to advancing global education and innovation, is also behind the Yidan Prize, one of the world's largest education awards that recognizes transformative figures in the education sector.
Besides the professorship, the donation will be used to develop curricula, provide research grants in AI for NTU faculty, and facilitate global collaboration initiatives. It will also fund the establishment of a global education forum where thought leaders from around the world will gather to share insights on the latest AI research and innovations.
The gift was formalised today in a cheque presentation ceremony held on the NTU campus. Following the ceremony, Dr Chen Yidan participated in a fireside chat which discussed AI’s unrelenting impact on education, moderated by Professor Luke Ong, NTU Vice President (AI & Digital Economy) and Dean of CCDS.
NTU President Professor Ho Teck Hua said: “NTU deeply appreciates the gift from the Chen Yidan Foundation to establish the Professorship in AI. It will help to attract top talent to pioneer groundbreaking research and educational models in the rapidly evolving field of AI. The gift exemplifies the Foundation’s steadfast commitment to create a better world through education. This commitment aligns with NTU’s mission to nurture future-ready graduates and be a leader in the AI revolution. Together, we aim to shape the future of AI and its applications in education”.
Dr Charles Chen Yidan said: "Chen Yidan Foundation is committed to fostering a diversified education ecosystem through interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, cross-regional, and cross-group collaboration. Looking ahead, we believe that AI will play a transformative role in shaping the future of learning. NTU has always been at the forefront of multidisciplinary innovation, and its open attitude toward AI education, research, and innovative applications has facilitated this collaboration. We hope that this partnership will lead to breakthroughs and effectively advance educational research and cooperation between Singapore and China, particularly with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area”.
The Yidan Professorship in AI, administered by NTU’s College of Computing and Data Science (CCDS), will bolster NTU’s ability to attract internationally recognised AI academics to drive transformative innovations in this rapidly evolving field.
The Professorship will drive groundbreaking advancements in AI research and education and bring together top talents from around the world to collaborate on solutions that benefit Singapore and the global community.
Professor Luke Ong, NTU Vice President (AI & Digital Economy) and Dean of CCDS, said: “AI is one of NTU’s top priorities, as the technology promises to reshape the world to come. The Yidan Professorship in AI strengthens NTU’s leadership in the field, enabling us to attract top talent and advance education and multidisciplinary research at the forefront of AI innovation”.
The gift drives cross-border efforts to advance education development and research, particularly fostering collaborations within Asia.
In addition to promoting curriculum development and research collaborations between universities, it will provide research grants for projects focused on AI in education. For example, the gift will fund opportunities for students from NTU, Shenzhen and other parts of China to undertake exchanges, internships and joint research programmes.
Additionally, NTU will organise the NTU Global Forum in Education, to be held in China starting in 2027.
The two-day conference, expected to be held every 18 months, will convene world-class researchers and thought leaders to share innovative and groundbreaking research insights at the intersection of AI and education.
Dr Chen's visit to NTU concluded with a fireside chat moderated by Professor Luke Ong, and included panellists Dr Chen; Professor Ong Yew Soon, President’s Chair in Computer Science, CCDS; Dr Ho Shen Yong, Executive Director, Institute of Pedagogical Innovation, Research and Excellence, NTU and Professor Liu Woon Chia, Director, NIE.
During the session, the panellists spoke about the various opportunities and challenges presented by the use of AI in education, and Dr Chen shared his thoughts on some AI innovations in education he has observed through the Yidan Prize Foundation.
