Billionaire Graduate Awarded Honorary Doctorate
Yingwu Zhong Received MIU Doctorate in Shanghai, China
One of the highlights of the 2020 MIU graduation ceremony on-campus in Fairfield, Iowa, was the awarding of the honorary “Doctor of Computer Science—Honoris Causa” degree (via Zoom) to 2010 Computer Professionals Program graduate, Yingwu (Andy) Zhong in China.
Soon after completing his MS in computer science, Andy (CEO) and co-founder Yitao Guan (CTO) started their own game business, FunPlus in San Francisco. Within a few short years, FunPlus has become one of the most significant companies in the entire global gaming industry, generating $1 billion in revenue.
According to Dr. Zhong, “2020 is the 10th anniversary of FunPlus. Our office moved five times to increase capacity and co-workers are collaborating from offices and homes from 20 countries. Millions of players worldwide enjoy games like Family Farm, Family Farm Seaside, Guns of Glory, King of Avalon, State of Survival, to name a few. And even more watch esports team FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) (2019 League of Legends World Champions!) playing against other world leading teams.”
FunPlus is a major supporter of international esports team gaming competition. In 2019, team FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) won the League of Legends World Championship.
Quotes from Doctoral Diploma
“MIU has honored Yingwu for his dedication to creating joy and fun in the world. His steady focus and perseverance in bringing challenging and wholesome entertainment to more than 5 million people is noble and inspiring.
“In his company, people are the priority. He cultures employees to be successful in activity while enlivening the inner core, where dreams begin.
“Surely, the root of Dr. Zhong’s powerful influence lies in his inner being. His success reflects something special emanating from his heart. His influence has been and will continue to be great, and for the greater good.
“He is respected as a visionary, a resilient leader, a practical scientist, and as a joyful and reliable human being. MIU honors him for his commitment to be the best at what he does.
“As his “Mother University,” MIU thanks Yingwu Zhong for his superior choices, high goals, kindness and friendliness, his outreach to all humanity, and innate goodness. Yingwu Zhong is among the best sons and daughters of our University.”
It is a great joy to award this highest honor to Dr. Yingwu Zhong:
Doctor of Computer Science—Honoris Causa presented to Yingwu Zhong
Watch the Degree Presentation Video
Dr. Zhong’s Appreciation to MIU
“Arriving at MIU in 2007 was the beginning of a new adventure. I started eating organic vegetables… Practicing Transcendental Meditation (TM) healed my body and soul, and with time passing by, I have experienced and have a deeper understanding of how profoundly the impact of MIU experience has shaped my life.
“TM is a very powerful tool, and gradually became a part of myself as I practiced more. It helped me stay focused and live in the present. It also gave me the ability and energy to inquire deeply and guide my curiosity to explore.”
“People call me a visionary leader, and I know it is the philosophy of living in the present and following the purity of heart that has fulfilled me with great optimism, resilience and grace.”
FunPlus CEO is passionate to create one of the top three interactive entertainment companies in the world.
Advice to MIU 2020 graduates
Yingwu Zhong shares his wisdom and inner experiences for successful living:
- Please stick to your dreams. Hold them tight, and fight hard.
- Live in the present. Only focus on most important things, because most of the things bothering you right now, will not be as important in one day, one week, one month, one year.
- Talent comes a long way, but perseverance brings long-term results.
- Embrace uncertainty and nourish a growth mindset. It’s really OK not to have all the answers and screw up things at times, as long as you recover quickly.
- Practice meditation and do morning prayer. The internal source of intelligence is far more powerful than external drive or ego when facing challenges.
- Eat well, eat healthy, be kind, be generous. Have empathy for human beings, earth and the world, the universe. Build resilient communities. If the world is going to get better, it is because of you.
MIU’s Vice President of Asia Expansion, Yunxiang Zhu says, “Zhong Yingwu is respected as a great visionary, a resilient leader, and a practical scientist who brings fun and happiness to millions of people all over the world. We are extremely proud of him and his honorary doctorate degree is very well deserved.”