Analysts noted that China’s increasing number of universities backed by entrepreneurs are luring more top-tier academics, which coincides with Beijing's escalating efforts towards achieving greater self-reliance in high technology.
Fuzhou's Fuyao University of Technology and Sciences (FYUST) was founded with a $10 billion contribution from Cao Dewang, the Chairman of glass producer Fuyao Group. The institution commenced student admissions this year and boasts an initial faculty consisting of 15 academics from both within and outside the country, specializing in advanced areas like artificial intelligence, life sciences, and material science.
The university presently boasts 302 faculty members, of whom 71.2 percent have gained international academic exposure through studies or work experiences abroad. This group includes 15 academicians and 56 scientists who rank within the global top 2 percent in their respective disciplines," said Vice-President Xu Fei of FYUST to Xinhua earlier this month.
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FYUST has attracted distinguished academics from various countries including China, North America, Europe, and Japan. Notably, scholars from Canada stand out among the international faculty, alongside key figures from the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, and Austria.
Many individuals possess esteemed academic accolades, like memberships in the IEEE, the UK's Royal Society, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, or membership in the Japan Academy. According to FYUST’s website, they have also held previous roles at leading international institutions such as Cambridge, Toronto, Ulm, and Tohoku Universities.
If overseas researchers contribute their expertise and patents to China, it could assist the country in narrowing the technology gap with both the United States and Europe, according to Jean-Pierre Cabestan, who teaches in the Department of Government and International Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University.
Cabestan stated that this would aid Chinese universities in becoming more global at a time when Chinese scholars are increasingly cut off from the international community.
As the roster of universities backed by billionaires expands, these institutions collectively aim to bolster national strategies, tackle technological challenges, and cultivate talents capable of advancing China’s industrial progress.
FYUST announced plans to involve students in laboratory work starting from their sophomore year and enhance hands-on abilities via partnerships between academia and businesses. According to President Wang Shuguo of FYUST, they aspire for fresh undergraduate entrants to complete their doctoral studies within eight years, enabling them to join advanced research sectors around age 25. This approach intends to develop exceptional youthful talents who possess profound theoretical knowledge as well as practical industrial experience.
The Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), founded in Ningbo by semiconductor mogul Yu Renrong With an investment of 46 billion yuan ($6.36 billion), it is also welcoming its inaugural group of undergraduates this year, having enrolled doctoral students over the last three years.
Based on information from their website, EIT oversees more than 90 lead researchers who manage clinical studies or scientific initiatives. This group includes 15 academicians, 23 members of esteemed global scholarly bodies, along with 53 university faculty members whose expertise comes from institutions listed among the world’s top 200.
Hangzhou’s Westlake University, known for introducing the entrepreneur-backed funding approach, has likewise lured prominent academics from abroad.
Marco Amabili, an Italian mechanical engineer who is also an international member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, founded the Dynamics and Vibrations of Systems and Structures Laboratory at Westlake University’s School of Engineering in 2023. Last year, Thierry De Pauw, a prominent Belgian mathematician, along with Lei-Han Tang, a widely traveled Chinese statistical physicist, both became part of Westlake University's faculty.
Nonetheless, the enduring viability of these institutions is questionable because of possible changes in policies and financial hurdles, as noted by experts monitoring China’s educational landscape.
Xiong Bingqi, who leads the 21st Century Education Research Institute—a think tank located in Beijing—mentioned that attracting top-tier educators is essential for their goals of transforming into research-oriented organizations. The attractive compensation packages they can provide significantly aid in achieving this objective.
He stated, 'Nonetheless, public discussions continue about their academic standing.' Under China’s present regulatory environment, diverging significantly from the country’s leading state-run institutions poses substantial challenges.
Another point of worry, as Xiong noted, is whether they possess adequate resources to support sustained long-term growth driven by research.
Rory Truex, an assistant professor from Princeton University’s Department of Politics, noted that China provides very attractive salaries and robust research funds during a period when many institutions in the West are experiencing financial cutbacks. This situation presents China with a chance to enhance its competitiveness in areas like science, technology, engineering, and math. Nonetheless, he mentioned that the U.S. is increasingly scrutinizing academic partnerships involving China.
The present U.S. political environment poses risks for individuals affiliated with Chinese universities, heightening the chances of governmental oversight," he stated. "Considering the legacy of the 'China Initiative,' American researchers have grown less inclined to participate in Chinese talent programs.
Launched in 2018 under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, the China Initiative aimed at targeting Chinese scholars in America who were allegedly involved in economic espionage activities. The initiative faced significant criticism for resulting in prosecutions driven by racial bias and overreach. Ultimately, it was discontinued by President Joe Biden after taking office in 2022.
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