Chen Yidan awarded honorary doctorate by UCL

Dr. Charles Chen Yidan, core founder of Tencent and founder of the Chen Yidan Foundation and the Yidan Prize, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Literature (Education) by IOE, University College London (UCL)’s Faculty of Education and Society, on May 12 local time, in recognition of his long-term commitment and influence in advancing educational practice and research. 

A scene at IOE’s graduation ceremony on the afternoon of May 12 local time. Photos courtesy of the Chen Yidan Foundation

The award was conferred at IOE’s graduation ceremony, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London’s Southbank Center, which was attended by Michael Spence, President and Provost of UCL, Li Wei, Director and Dean of IOE, and scholars, guests, and IOE graduands from around the world.  

Dr. Charles Chen Yidan (L) and Michael Spence, President and Provost of UCL, pose for a photo at the graduation ceremony.

Dr. Chen’s citation was read by Professor Alison Littlejohn, Pro Vice Provost of UCL for the Data Empowered Societies UCL Grand Challenge and Professor of Learning Technology.

She highlighted Dr. Chen’s efforts in improving education accessibility and supporting high-quality educational research, noting that these efforts align with IOE’s mission to improve people’s chances and address global challenges through education.Having established a partnership with the Yidan Prize Foundation for several years, IOE conferred the honorary degree on Dr. Chen in acknowledgement of this long-term partnership and shared vision.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Chen expressed his deep respect for UCL’s history and education philosophies. He spoke of the power of education, which transcends time and space and can be passed down through generations.

Dr. Charles Chen Yidan delivers a speech at the ceremony.

He also shared his grandmother’sand father’s beliefs in the value of education and the power of persistence, as well as his hope of inspiring younger generations to advance global educational research and practice through the founding of Wuhan College and the Yidan Prize.

He concluded his speech by citing his favorite poet Su Shi’s poem “Former Ode to the Red Cliffs”, encouraging fellow education practitioners to remain steadfast in their pursuit of education in an ever-changing world. 

(From L) Micheal Spence, Dr. Charles Chen Yidan, and Li Wei, Director and Dean of IOE, pose for a photo.

Since 1826, UCL has challenged orthodoxy and applied itself to making the world better, seeking to serve society through the generation and application of "useful" knowledge, with a particular focus on leading interdisciplinary discussion and debate. Honorary Fellowships of UCL are principally awarded in recognition of exceptional service rendered or a significant or outstanding contribution made to UCL, as well as recognized distinction attained in the arts, literature, science, business or public life.