He was the first to get hold of adoctor’s degree of computer application; he was awarded the title of professorat 33, the youngest among his counterparts; he founded the first listedsoftware company in China; he headed his business to produce the first CTmachine...Every “first” is the envy of every other person.

He is also “Mr. Liu” in the eyesof his employees and students who respect him as a kind, wise, elegant andenergetic teacher.

He is Liu Jiren, CEO of NeusoftGroup and chairman of the board of Dalian Neusoft University of Information(DNUI).

Let’s keep up with the TV programFinancial People Weekly of CCTV 2 torecall Liu’s stories.

The first turning point inlife—reaction to the times for a new self

“Sometimes you cannot make yourown choices in life; the only choice you can make is to change yourself to getadapted to things.”

--Liu Jiren

In 1972, Liu Jiren, who wasattending school, was recruited into Benxi Steel Power Plant (LiaoningProvince) to be a rescue worker. One year later, he was luckily transferredonto the publicity team. Drawing, writing and showing films, he felt he wasdoing a safer and more romantic job.

In 1976, Liu, who enjoyed greatpopularity among his co-workers, was selected to attend university whichchanged the course of his life a second time.

The second turning point inlife—Meeting up a brilliant professor in university

“My professor gave me everythinghe could: fame, chances and the start for my future career.”

--Liu Jiren

In August, 1976, Liu received theoffer from Northeastern University (Shenyang). The moment he entered thecampus, the freshman harboured only one idea: going all out for study. In hismajor, Liu studied under Professor Li Huatian.

Li Huatian, who returned home togetherwith other scholars including Qian Xuesen, another reputed scholar, from theUnited Stated after getting his postgraduate’s degree at Harvard in 1948, was arenowned expert in automatic control and computer science. Working inNortheastern University, he built the first analogue computer in China.

“Without his guidance, I couldn’thave done so much academically.” After he successfully passed the exam for apostgraduate’s degree to continue to learn under Professor Li in 1980, Liu cameto find that his professor thought for the other people for so many things.

The third turning point inlife—further study in the United States

“If our country isn’t powerful,the Chinese people will not be respected by other peoples.”

--Liu Jiren

In 1986, Liu was recommended byhis supervisor to further his study in American National Standards Institute.With diligence and intelligence, Liu completed his dissertation for thedoctor’s degree which was recognized by his American colleagues. His laboratoryproposed to him that he should continue his study in US. The doctor had to makethe hard choice between whether to return to China or not.

The fourth turning point inlife—returning to China to start a career

“For everything we do and forevery goal we work for, we have a digitalized system against which we canmeasure our achievements, including time and other indicators that can beassessed.”

--Liu Jiren

In the spring of 1988, Liu andanother two young teachers founded the Research Centre of Computer Software andNetwork Engineering. They had little money, with the 286 computer being allthey had for research.

In 1989, Liu was granted 300,000dollars with which he purchased the up-to-date equipment. The universityprovided the whole floor of the main building for him to enlarge hislaboratory. “All of a sudden, we had the first-class lab in China,” Liu said.

The fifth turning point in life-Enlisting Neusoft

“When I look back on those years,I think the very thing I have done right is that I make the best of time once Iam allowed it. I use my time both precisely and effectively.”

--Liu Jiren

Despite of difficulties, Liu wasfirm in mind that China would never do without software technology. Seeing thatthe Chinese users paid more attention to hardware, Liu proposed the combinationof software and hardware, manufacturing sets of equipment that were tangiblefor clients on the basis of the core thinking and architecture of software.Gradually, Neusoft gained a foothold and a reputation in the industry.

In 1996, Neusoft, founded by LiuJiren, was listed in Shanghai Stock Exchange. It was the first Chinese softwarecompany going public.

The first domesticallymanufactured CT machine to break the western monopoly

“We have been wishing to dosomething for the country in my business and we have the courage to ventureinto anything. We just want to make a break by giving it a try. Of course, wealso want to see if we can carve out a space for ourselves. ”

--Liu Jiren

Bolstered by the wish tocontribute to the development of the country’s software industry, Liu took onthe CT project.

In 1997, the professor-turnedentrepreneur and his people successfully manufactured and industrialized thefirst CT machine in China with its own intellectual property rights, thusbreaking the prolonged monopoly in the Chinese market by foreign counterparts.

Today, the CT machine, the MRImachine, the digital X-ray machine, the CDFI machine and other state-of-the-artmedical products are sold to more than 110 countries and regions includingAmerica, Italy and Russia with more than 9,000 clients.

Establishment of Software Park

In July, 1999, Dalian NeusoftSoftware Park was opened for business. The software industry began to take off.

In 2003, Dalian was approved tobe the only demonstration city for the globalization of software industry inChina by the then Ministry of Science and Technology with Dalian Software Parkbeing the core project. The specialized park became a focus of softwarebusinesses and professionals, creating enormous wealth for the city.

Founding the university andencouraging entrepreneurship

Liu Jiren has been having universityin his heart. He founded Dalian Neusoft University of Information in 2000,coming along to the campus at times to encourage the students to beentrepreneurial by learning and applying. When he recalls his own experience ofstarting from scratch, he is full of hope for the youth: “The youth likedreaming and exploring. They are willing to change themselves and the worldwith their own efforts”.

Liu seems to have been favored byopportunities all the way, which have been either created by himself or offeredby others. However, the opportunities are more than lucks. Liu is already fullyprepared to embrace them.

“When I look back on those years,I think the very thing I have done right is that I make the best of time once Iam allowed it. I use my time both precisely and effectively. Only in this waycan I shorten the path to the realization of my dream. On the same path I canalso meet up the turning points which mean more opportunities.”

--Liu Jiren