Despite solely being established earlier this 12 months, the Great Bay University in Dongguan, Guangdong province, is already increase expectations that it’s going to present a strong move of expertise for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and assist speed up the event of latest high quality productive forces, technological innovation and rising industries.
Tian Gang, founding president of GBU, mentioned the university has adopted an modern schooling mannequin that can permit freshmen to enroll with out declaring a serious, giving them a 12 months for self-exploration.
“Starting from their second year, they can freely choose their majors based on their talents and interests, and cross-disciplinary minor programs are also available,” he mentioned.
Tian, an academician on the Chinese Academy of Sciences, made the remarks on the university”s inauguration ceremony held on Saturday in Dongguan, a serious manufacturing hub.
He mentioned GBU defines itself as a “science and engineering-based, small yet elite, high-level research-focused institution”.
By using the benefits and improvement wants of the GBA, the university will deal with six disciplines — supplies science, superior engineering, life sciences, data science and know-how, elementary science, and monetary administration — to nurture research-oriented expertise able to fixing advanced issues and driving innovation, Tian mentioned.
The university has already launched joint graduate applications with establishments together with The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the University of Macau, Harbin Institute of Technology, Southern University of Science and Technology, and Sun Yat-sen University. It has established collaborative research facilities with universities in Hong Kong to construct an innovation community throughout the GBA.
By drawing on the area’s institutional strengths, industrial ecosystem and innovation atmosphere, GBU goals to deliver sustained research advances in elementary science, pioneering innovation, the mixing of science and schooling, industry-education collaboration, and the cultivation of top-tier modern expertise, Tian mentioned.
He mentioned he appears to be like ahead to forging nearer ties with different universities, research establishments, enterprises and like-minded companions in the GBA and past.
“Many of GBU’s faculty members have previously worked in Hong Kong and Macao, which greatly facilitates our efforts to deepen cooperation with higher education institutions in these regions,” Tian mentioned.
According to Tian, GBU is recruiting globally and has greater than 300 research school members, all holding doctoral levels. More than 70 p.c have abroad examine or work expertise.
GBU’s campus close to Songshan Lake is positioned in the pilot zone of the GBA’s Comprehensive National Science Center, adjoining to main scientific infrastructure together with the China Spallation Neutron Source and the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory. Several main enterprises, together with Huawei, have operations close by.
Wang Shuguo, president of Fuyao University of Science and Technology in Fujian province, mentioned a brand new spherical of technological revolution is giving rise to new university fashions, with rising research universities being a product of the occasions.
“When the new technological revolution arrives, new types of research universities emerge in response to the demands,” Wang mentioned. “Together, they will engage in collaborative exploration and frequent exchanges, integrate deeply with industry, further support the pursuit of high-level technological self-reliance and strength, and provide a reference for the future development of other universities.”
Lu Xiaozhong, dean of the Institute for Advanced Study of Educational Development in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area at South China Normal University, mentioned GBU represents the course of “future research universities”.
“In its pioneering exploration, it should also play a leading and exemplary role, providing valuable insights for the reform and development of traditional institutions of higher education,” Lu mentioned.
The Ministry of Education authorised the institution of the university on June 19, and GBU started operations in August, enrolling its first cohort of 80 college students from 53 center colleges throughout 16 cities in Guangdong province.