NYU Shanghai Educational Foundation Hosts Gift Agreement Ceremony to Establish an Institute for Cities and Real Estate in Emerging Markets

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Banner photo from left to right: Rime Sun, Ding Shuzhe, Dr. Feng Lun, Ms. Susan Greenbaum, Sam Chandan, Shan Dawei, Xiao Yong, and Wang Haitao 

On Tuesday, July 23rd, the NYU Shanghai Education Development Foundation hosted a signing ceremony to recognize the significant pledge of support from the soon to be established foundation of cities and real estate education, initiated by real estate industry executives and civic leaders Dr. Feng Lun, chairman of Yufeng (F&E) Capital, Shan Dawei, president of UB Group, and Xiao Yong, vice president and executive general manager of China Real Estate Business. The goal of this gift is to create a brand-new NYU Institute for Cities and Real Estate in Emerging Markets.  The new Institute aims to bring transformative impact on the next generation of real estate industry leaders in China, and in the field of professional higher education.  Dr. Feng Lun, Mr. Shan Dawei, Mr. Xiao Yong, Ms. Wang Haitao, secretary-general of the new foundation attended the signing ceremony together with Ding Shuzhe, associate vice chancellor of NYU Shanghai, Susan Greenbaum, interim dean of NYU School of Professional Studies (SPS), and Rime Sun, secretary-general of the NYU Shanghai Education Development Foundation.

The NYU Institute for Cities and Real Estate in Emerging Markets will be jointly supervised by NYU Shanghai and NYU SPS. Utilizing the unique NYU network, with crucial academic support from the Schack Institute of Real Estate at NYU SPS, the Institute will cultivate the next generation of industry leaders for China and global emerging real estate markets through graduate programs, executive education programs, as well as themed global conferences.

Associate Vice Chancellor Shuzhe Ding

Associate Vice Chancellor Shuzhe Ding acknowledged the impact that this institute will have on the University, stating that “this joint project marks yet another milestone of comprehensive development for NYU Shanghai; it contributes to the graduate program curriculum and propels the cooperation with the School of Professional Studies. With the help and instruction of the donors, NYU Shanghai will utilize our competitive edge in innovative teaching, scientific research, industry engagement, and geographic connectivity to train industry leaders with global perspective, sufficient academic knowledge, and professional skills.”

Dr. Feng, chairman of Yufeng (F&E) Capital​

“In regions experiencing rapid urbanization, there is high demand for professionals with comprehensive knowledge and excellent management skills in the real estate industry,” said Dr. Feng, who is also a NYU Trustee. “NYU’s wealth of knowledge and resources in the realm of cities and real estate will provide a strong foundation for this new initiative. This partnership will serve as a catalyst for innovation and will offer a transformational education for those enrolled in its programs.”

Dean of the NYU School of Professional Studies, Susan Greenbaum

“In many ways, this gift symbolizes what we know to be true— that an applied professional education is the kind of education that the 21st century requires” said Susan Greenbaum, Dean of SPS. The institute’s main focus academically will be to enrich the understanding of real estate theory and practice in China, in hope to bolster professionals’ knowledge on how to sustainably grow and develop the emerging markets in China.

Donors Mr. Yong Xiao, Dr. Lun Feng, and Mr. Dawei Shan

While the institute’s initial focus will be on China, it will take a global approach, with course studies and experiential learning spanning across many of NYU’s campuses and sites, which aligns to NYU Shanghai’s mission of Making the World Your Major.