Shenzhen Adds New Wings to Its 'Higher Education' and 'Industrial Competition' Ambitions!

On November 17, 2024, the bidding for the first-phase construction of the Advanced Research Institute of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (Shenzhen) officially kicked off. This marks the official entry of this prestigious 985 university from Chengdu into Shenzhen, injecting new impetus into the city's industrial competition and talent attraction efforts.

University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

Founded in 1956, the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) was the first radio university in New China, established through the merger of the Telecommunications Engineering Departments of Jiaotong University (now Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Xi'an Jiaotong University), South China Institute of Technology (now South China University of Technology), and Nanjing Institute of Technology (now Southeast University). It was once tasked with transforming China's backward radio industry and is hailed as the 'Cradle of China's National Electronics Industry'.

The alumni network of UESTC spans science parks in various cities, becoming a significant force driving technological progress.

Since its establishment, UESTC has cultivated over 180,000 talented individuals, with more than 50,000 alumni contributing to the development of Shenzhen's electronic information industry.

USTC has produced many well-known figures in the tech industry, including Ding Lei, founder of NetEase; Liu Jincheng, CEO of EVE Energy; Zhou Zixue, former Chairman of SMIC; Sun Yafang, former Chairman of Huawei; Zhang Ya, Chairman of Guoguang Electric; Zhang Guorong, Chairman of Zhenhua Fengguang Semiconductor; Peng Zhihui (known as 'Zhihui Jun'), founder of Zhiyuan Robotics; and outstanding talents like Ning Boyu and Liu Shuncheng, dubbed 'Huawei's Genius Youngsters,' among others. Many have become pillars of Shenzhen and even the national industry.

Shenzhen Advanced Research Institute

The first phase of the construction project for the Advanced Research Institute of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (Shenzhen) is located in Longhua District, Shenzhen. With a total planned investment exceeding 2.4 billion yuan, it covers an area of approximately 91,700 square meters and has a total construction area of 270,000 square meters, expected to accommodate about 3,000 researchers.

Located in the Qiankeng Reservoir area of Longhua Dalang, the institute boasts ecological advantages with 'one mountain, four waters, and six rivers.' It can reach the Guangzhou-Dongguan-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Huizhou-Shantou scientific and technological innovation region within one hour and the downtown area, high-speed rail intercity stations, and airports within half an hour.

Positioning itself as an 'internationally renowned electronic information research institute,' the institute focuses on the field of electronic information, aiming to establish a profound connection with Shenzhen in terms of talent and industry-research directions.

Shenzhen's Talent Competition and Emerging Industry Race

Regions across China are actively competing for higher education resources.

Last year, Henan launched the 'First-Class University Zhengzhou Research Institute,' attracting the establishment of research institutes by prestigious universities such as Wuhan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Meanwhile, the Greater Bay Area welcomed the enrollment of four new universities, including Guangzhou Jiaotong University, and the construction of universities like The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Foshan). The Yangtze River Delta and central and western regions are also actively making layouts.

Many cities share a similar sense of urgency as Shenzhen. It is widely recognized that the boosting effect of an excellent university on regional talent resources, scientific research capabilities, and the incubation of emerging industries is unparalleled by any policy.

In recent years, Shenzhen has invested significantly, not only vigorously supporting local institutions like Shenzhen University but also introducing domestic top 985 universities such as Tsinghua University and Peking University to establish branch campuses in Shenzhen.

In 2023, Shenzhen accelerated its efforts to establish universities, planning to reach 20 institutions of higher learning with 200,000 full-time students by 2025.

For cities in transition, seizing the next 100 billion or trillion-yuan-level emerging industry is crucial to their future.

With more and more universities and research institutes settling in Shenzhen, the city's scientific research strength and innovation capabilities will be further enhanced, injecting new vitality into the industrial development of Shenzhen and even the entire country.