PPG funds social responsibility research at Tsinghua

Cathy Yan (L), PPG general manager for government affairs and business development, and Li Qiang, dean of the School of Social Sciences of Tsinghua University, exchange donation agreements in Beijing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

PPG Industries, one of the world's leading coatings and specialty products company, has injected 900,000 yuan ($146,362) to help set up a Social Responsibility Research Fund through the Tsinghua University Education Foundation.

The fund, donated to the School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University, is set to fully support in-depth research into the social responsibilities of corporations, governments, nongovernmental organizations and citizens. And it will help with reports, activities and media communications regarding social responsibility.

"Tsinghua University offers a first-class faculty and excellent research facilities, in addition to the Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Development Research Center," Yan said.

"The study and practice of social responsibility is very relevant to PPG's core value of 'recognizing the needs and concerns of society.' We believe the fund will help create a social responsibility evaluation system that addresses China's requirements and promotes the concept of social responsibility to the general public. In addition, it will benefit the academic research of Tsinghua University."

PPG has been actively involved with social and charitable programs in China and across the Asia Pacific region. The work has covered aid for education, disaster rescue and environmental protection efforts as well as making donations to disabled children, the elderly and the infirm.

For instance, the company helped construct 50 "PPG Care Libraries" in 2009 in earthquake-stricken Zitong county, Sichuan province, donating more than 170,000 books as well as all interior coatings.

Meanwhile, PPG's China scholarship program honoring high-achieving university students has marked its tenth year. The company also held an "Eco classroom" open day at its Tianjin coatings plant to promote environmental awareness.

PPG was named one of the top 100 Corporate Social Responsibility companies in China last December, and was selected from over 3,000 nominations to win the CSR Award Special Prize for the third consecutive year, which recognized PPG for its exemplary social responsibility practices.

About PPG Industries

PPG Industries, which seeks to remain the world's leading coatings and specialty products company,  helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries around the world. Sales in 2012 were $15.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG).