China's prestigious Tsinghua University has produced a total of 84 super-rich alumni with a combined wealth of 300 billion yuan (US$47.6 billion) since the reform and opening up policy was initiated in 1978, surpassing its long-time rival Peking University for the first time, according to the latest China alumni fortune list released by China University Alumni Association (CUAA).

China's universities have produced more than 1,500 alumni with a personal wealth of more than 100 million yuan (US$15.87 million) since 1978. More than 800 successful alumni were included on China's various rich lists this year, with a combined personal wealth of about 4.5 trillion yuan (US$714.3 billion), highlighting the truth of "knowledge creates fortune".

The list is based on the CUAA's survey on the educational background of more than 2,600 Chinese billionaires who appeared on the renowned rich lists compiled by the preeminent media, including Forbes, Hurun and New Fortune, between 1999 and 2011.

The survey shows that a total of 1,580 are university graduates, accounting for an overwhelming 61 percent of the super rich Chinese on various rich lists.

China.org.cn recognizes the top ten Chinese universities that have created the greatest number of billionaire alumni since 1978:

   Wuhan University  武漢大學

Location: Hubei

Number of billionaire alumni: 18

Representatives:

Zou Jieming, president of Guilin Sanjin Pharmaceutical

Liang Liangsheng, chairman and president of C-Bons Group

He Yuliang, former president of Guangxi Beisheng Group