(CRI)
Updated: 2008-01-09 16:00

Peking University, one of the two most prestigious institutions for higher education in China, has more wealthy alumni than any other Chinese university, according to new rankings.

The chart, ranking universities by the number of alumni appearing on Rupert Hoogewerf's influential China Rich List from 2003 to 2007, was released on Tuesday by the China University Alumni Association, which produces the annual Chinese college and university rankings.

Peking University tops the list with 27 rich alumni, followed by Zhejiang University, with 17.

Tsinghua University, the other high-ranking Chinese university, came in at third, with 16.

Fudan University (15) and Renmin University of China (13) round out the top five.

The alumni, mostly leaders in the entrepreneurial world, include president of Web portal Sohu.com, Charles Zhang, a Tsinghua graduate, and search engine Baidu's co-founder, Robin Li, a graduate of Peking University.

Professor Cai Yanhou, who spearheaded the alumni list, said that successful entrepreneurs deserve the same respect as scientists, and by presenting such a list, he hoped universities could encourage their students more in self-employment and cultivate more future business leaders.