IT Home, October 15 news: Today (October 15), Zeng Yuxun, Chairman of CATL, donated 1.5 million shares of CATL stock to the CATL Advanced Research Institute at Shanghai Jiao Tong University at the 2026 World Energy Storage Conference, valued at approximately RMB 400 million based on the current stock price.
According to IT Home, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Fujian (Ningde) Advanced Research Institute is a collaborative research institution officially established in Ningde in June 2026, jointly built by the Ningde Municipal Government, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Fujian Provincial Department of Education, and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited. It is not a branch campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, but rather a direct placement of research teams into Ningde’s industrial frontline.
As a pilot area for the integrated reform of education, science and technology, and talent, this institute has been included in Fujian Province’s key projects for the 15th Five-Year Plan. Leveraging Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s world-class disciplines, talent, and research strengths, and aligned with Ningde’s strategic goal of building a world-class new energy industry cluster, the institute is dedicated to establishing a world-class new research platform integrating excellence in talent development, cutting-edge scientific innovation, industrial technology commercialization, and government policy advisory services.
On October 10, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Fujian (Ningde) Advanced Research Institute announced the launch of admissions for the 2027 cohort of graduate students. The full-time professional master’s program has a duration of 2.5 years (1 year of on-campus study + 1.5 years of practical training at the institute). The 2027 cohort plans to enroll approximately 50 professional master’s students (including 20 under the Ningde Times joint training program).
Leveraging globally leading industrial and technological capabilities such as CATL, students are deeply integrated from enrollment into R&D of new-quality productive forces, including new energy batteries, perovskite photovoltaics, zero-carbon systems, embodied intelligence, electric vehicles, electric ships, electric aircraft, smart health, and smart factories.
The duration of study shall be carried out in accordance with the graduate student enrollment management regulations of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Students complete their coursework on campus during the first year, and from the second year onward, they conduct research and practical training at the Ningde Advanced Research Institute until graduation. Graduation and degree certificates are identical to those of other graduate students in the same major within the admitting department. Students are jointly supervised by a dual-advisor team comprising experts from leading enterprises such as CATL and distinguished scholars from the university.
Phase One of the Research Institute
The project is located by the seaside in Ningde, adjacent to the CATL 21C Laboratory, and is a research and teaching building integrating functions such as teaching and practice, scientific research experiments, computing power center, conferences and reports, and sports and wellness. With a total construction area of approximately 23,000 square meters, it is scheduled for completion and delivery in December 2027.
Research Institute Phase 2
The project is located in Lankou, Ningde, with a planned land area of 200–300 mu and a total construction area of approximately 180,000 square meters, expected to be completed in 2029. The building complex responds to the mountainous environment, creating a new campus integrating cutting-edge energy storage, photovoltaic technology, health technology, and an AI-native campus.