桥 · 连接梦想与彼岸

What Does “Jian Qiao ”Mean?

A bridge — connecting dreams to the other shore.

创始人对“桥”有着特殊的情感。他年少求学时，每天都必须渡过一条湍急的溪流，而一座小小的石桥就是他的通路。后来，一次山洪突发冲垮了石桥，他的母亲带头倡议，与村民们共同筹资建起一座新桥。母亲的行为深深感染了他。这座桥助他克服困难、抵达彼岸的经历，让他深深体会到“桥”的意义——连接困境与希望，承载前行与梦想。

这份亲身感悟，最终化作了他创办上海建桥学院的初心：帮助一代又一代学子跨越障碍、走向成功。“建桥”二字，从此不仅是一所大学的名字，更是一份沉甸甸的承诺。

而这份承诺，在建桥学院初诞之时，便吸引了一位志同道合的长者——著名桥梁专家、同济大学原校长李国豪院士。他与建桥学院的缘分，始于一份纯粹而深沉的教育情怀。2000年至2005年间，李国豪受聘为上海建桥学院首任名誉校长。彼时他已年届九旬，却不顾酷暑亲临校园，与学生恳切交谈，并欣然提笔为校报《建桥报》题写报头。当创始人执意奉上酬金时，老人婉言谢绝，只留下一句话：“当这个名誉院长，不是为了拿钱，是为了支持教育。”

李国豪院士毕生矢志于中国人自主设计建造大桥。在20世纪80年代力排众议，坚持南浦大桥必须由中国人自主设计、自主施工。最终，大桥巍然落成，极大振奋了民族自信心。这份“自主、自强、爱国”的桥梁精神，与上海建桥学院的校名和办学理念形成了奇妙的时代呼应——创始人以桥渡人，他以桥强国，二者殊途同归，皆是以“桥”为笔，书写民族脊梁。

如今，李国豪院士的铜像静静伫立于建桥学院图书馆内，仿佛一位无声的守望者，注视着这所以他毕生信念命名的学校一路前行。“建桥”二字，既是校名，更是一座桥梁大师留下的精神丰碑，跨越时空，薪火相传。

Personal Origins · A Bridge Across a Torrent

The founder has always held a special affection for bridges. When he was a young student, he had to cross a swift-flowing stream every day, and a small stone bridge served as his only passage. Later, a sudden mountain torrent washed away the bridge. His mother took the lead in rallying the villagers to pool their resources and build a new one. Her actions deeply moved him. The experience of having that bridge help him overcome difficulties and reach the other side made him truly understand the meaning of a bridge—connecting hardship with hope, and carrying forward both progress and dreams.

This personal realization ultimately became the founding aspiration behind Shanghai Jian Qiao University: to help generations of students overcome obstacles and achieve success. From that moment on, the name Jian Qiao—Building a Bridge—has stood not merely for a university, but for a profound and unwavering commitment.

This pledge, at the very birth of Shanghai Jian Qiao University, drew a kindred spirit—academician Li Guohao, a renowned bridge expert and former president of Tongji University. His bond with Shanghai Jian Qiao University was rooted in nothing more than a pure and profound devotion to education. From 2000 to 2005, Li served as the inaugural honorary president of the university. Though already in his nineties, he braved the summer heat to visit the campus, engage in heartfelt conversations with students, and gladly penned the masthead for the university newspaper, Jian Qiao Bao. When the founder insisted on offering him an honorarium, the elderly scholar politely declined, leaving only this remark: I took on this honorary presidency not for money, but to support education.

Throughout his life, Academician Li Guohao was unwavering in his conviction that China must design and build its own major bridges. In the 1980s, against considerable opposition, he insisted that the Nanpu Bridge be designed and constructed independently by Chinese engineers. When the bridge finally rose in all its grandeur, it greatly bolstered national confidence. This spirit of independence, self-strengthening, and patriotism in bridge-building resonates across time with the very name and educational philosophy of Shanghai Jian Qiao University—the founder used the bridge to carry people forward, while Li used the bridge to fortify the nation. Two paths, one destination: both took bridge as their brushstroke to inscribe the backbone of the Chinese people.

Today, the bronze statue of Academician Li Guohao stands quietly in the library of Shanghai Jian Qiao University, like a silent sentinel, watching over the institution that bears the very creed he lived by. The name Jian Qiao—Building Bridges—is not merely the university's title; it is a spiritual monument left by a master of bridges, transcending time and space, passing its flame from generation to generation.

如同桥梁 “忍辱负重、成就他人”，倡导师生无私奉献，勇于担当社会责任。

Dedication and Responsibility — like a bridge that endures hardship for the benefit of others. We encourage our teachers and students to serve with selflessness and to take up social responsibilities with courage.

“桥”在桥牌中象征着沟通、理解和支持，强调团队协作、开放交流的精神。

Connection and Communication — like the bridge in bridge, it represents communication, understanding, and support, embodying teamwork and open dialogue.

学习中国桥梁建设者不畏艰难、自力更生的精神，厚植家国情怀，追求卓越。

Resilience and Patriotism — inspired by the perseverance and self-reliance of Chinese bridge builders, we cultivate a strong commitment to our country and pursue excellence.