Holding Shares in Two Listed Companies with Husband
"Net Assets Estimated at About 8.8 Trillion Won"
The newly appointed vice president of a prestigious university in northwest China has drawn attention after it was revealed that she owns assets worth trillions of won.
Professor Pan Daidi, who was appointed as the vice president of Xibei University in Shanxi Province, northwest China, is known to own assets worth trillions of won. SCMP
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on May 18, Professor Pan Daidi was appointed last month as the vice president of Xibei University in Xi'an, Shanxi Province, China. Reports indicate that Vice President Pan is believed to have the highest net worth among university executives nationwide in China.
Vice President Pan and her husband, Yan Jianya, are the founders of Giant Biotechnology, a biomedical company listed in Hong Kong. They also hold a significant stake in Triangle Defense, an aviation materials company listed in Shenzhen.
According to Chinese local media outlet Jimu News, as of May 12, the couple's net assets from these two companies amount to 45.7 billion yuan (approximately 8.863 trillion won). While Vice President Pan's annual salary at the university has not been disclosed, university professors in China generally earn about 1 million yuan (approximately 19.39 million won) per year.
Vice President Pan is originally from Fucheng County, Shanxi Province, and earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from Xibei University in the 1980s. She later graduated from East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai in 1994 with a doctorate in biochemical engineering. According to SCMP, "Vice President Pan is the first woman in modern Chinese history to earn a doctorate in this field."
After graduation, Vice President Pan returned to her alma mater in Shanghai to become a professor and researcher. In 2000, after inventing and patenting recombinant collagen, she and her husband founded Giant Biotechnology in the same year. The company's flagship product is a mask pack containing recombinant collagen.
Vice President Pan resigned from her position as executive director of Giant Biotechnology a few years ago, but she still holds the title of chief scientist. Her husband serves as the company's chairman and general manager.
A legal expert in China explained that, in theory, the president of a public university cannot work for a company, but it is possible to hold both positions if approved by the authorities.
Meanwhile, regarding her appointment, Vice President Pan stated, "I will prioritize educating students above all else." She added, "I prefer to stay in the laboratory, leading students in scientific research," and emphasized, "I believe it is my responsibility to nurture the talent that society needs."
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