On June 19, China's Ministry of Education gave formal approval for the establishment of Great Bay University (GBU) in Guangdong Province, marking its transition from planning to formal institution status.

As a public research-oriented university under the leadership of Guangdong Province, GBU is designed to be "small but strong," with a clear focus on science, technology, and interdisciplinary innovation. It plans to enroll its first cohort of 80 students from Guangdong Province this year, offering five foundational undergraduate programs: Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, and Industrial Engineering.

GBU will operate two campuses in Songshan Lake and Binhai Bay, covering a combined area of approximately 2,000 mu (around 330 acres), with over one million square meters of planned building space.

The Songshan Lake campus, already in use as of 2024, is nestled amid forests and lakes, surrounded by major national scientific research facilities, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and academic advantage. The Binhaiwan campus is strategically located near the Humen Bridge, reinforcing Dongguan's central role in the Greater Bay Area's innovation corridor.

Relying on the innovation-driven environment of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, GBU follows a "University+" development model that integrates higher education, major scientific facilities, and leading technology enterprises.

The university is positioning itself as a high-impact institution with national influence and global reach. The institution has already launched colleges across fields such as Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Information Technology, Advanced Engineering, Life Sciences, and Financial Management. Its academic architecture is designed around:

·Fundamental strength in mathematics and physics

·Core advancement in materials science

·Strategic traction in computing, AI, robotics, and telecommunications

GBU is assembling a world-class teaching and research team, drawing talent from more than 100 top universities and research institutions across nearly 30 countries and regions. The current faculty includes academicians, national-level experts, international, and rising young scholars.

The university also adopts a flexible four-year curriculum, allowing cross-disciplinary minors and international exchange. Students will enter without a declared major, and choose their field from the second year onward, encouraging personalized and diverse academic paths. Research engagement and enterprise internships are also encouraged from early on.

Surrounded by green hills and shimmering lakes, the Songshan Lake campus is built around the concept of the "Bay." It features an aerial-view-worthy layout, with key facilities such as the talent hub, library, academic buildings, sports center, playgrounds, and student dormitories, all designed to support vibrant campus life and global learning experiences.

As China's college entrance exams conclude and students prepare for their next chapter, Great Bay University opens its gates, inviting young minds to pursue their academic dreams in Dongguan, where science meets possibility.