The new type of research universities, characterized by their small but elite scale, high starting point, research-driven approach and international orientation, have rapidly attracted widespread public attention over the past two years.

In the fall semester of 2025, several new type of research universities welcomed their first cohort of undergraduate students. According to publicly available information, three innovative research universities — Fuyao University of Science and Technology, Great Bay University and Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo (EIT) — recorded admission scores in their first enrollment round in 2025 that matched or even exceeded those of some traditional "Project 985" universities.

EIT's minimum admission score ranked second among universities in Zhejiang province, just two points below Zhejiang University. Notably, Zhejiang students finalized their college applications on June 30, 2025, while the provincial government issued official approval to establish EIT as a private undergraduate institution only 10 days earlier. Despite the tight timeline, student enthusiasm remained undiminished.

"We admitted a group of top students from Zhejiang. Some have said that EIT created an 'opening-at-the-peak' enrollment miracle in just 11 days. I would like to thank our 74 pioneering undergraduate students — you chose EIT's future with foresight and courage," said Chen Shiyi, president of EIT, at the university's founding ceremony on Nov 28.

Chen noted that a shared sense of national service, commitment to education and a strong institutional platform have been key factors in attracting top-tier talent to the university. EIT has already brought together 16 academicians, 68 high-level nationally recognized talents and 111 founding professors.

Looking ahead, Chen outlined his vision for the university. "EIT is committed to building a new model of engineering education and promoting deep integration between technological innovation and industrial innovation," he said. "We emphasize application, transformation and the cultivation of entrepreneurial spirit. We hope that EIT will nurture scientists like Nobel Prize laureate Tu Youyou, who benefit humanity through frontier science and core technologies, and entrepreneurs like Yu Renrong, who drive industrial transformation through technological innovation."

Yu, chairman of OmniVision Integrated Circuits Group and widely regarded as one of China's most influential figures in the semiconductor industry, serves as chairman of EIT's board of trustees. In June 2020, Yu proposed donating funds to establish a high-level university in his hometown.

"Building a university for my hometown has always been my dream," Yu said. Ningbo, he noted, has a long tradition of valuing education and supporting academic institutions through philanthropy. Inspired by the contributions of earlier generations, Yu said he has remained committed to supporting local education.

The university he envisions is one filled with care and tolerance, where students remain curious about the world, pursue what they love, seek truth, and serve society.

"Running a business requires respect for market principles, while running a university requires respect for the laws of education," Yu said. "As the founding initiator and first donor, my responsibility is to continue running my business well and to bring together more like-minded entrepreneurs to ensure solid financial support for the university, world-class research conditions and sufficient funding. I will spare no effort in fulfilling this commitment."

Leveraging Ningbo's strong manufacturing base, the university has aligned its academic planning with industrial transformation and upgrading needs, jointly establishing research institutes with industry partners to conduct targeted research and hands-on practice.

"We focus on key fields such as integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, intelligent manufacturing, unmanned technology, new energy and new materials," Chen said. "By leveraging the strengths and leadership of academicians from Ningbo and bringing together top global talent, we aim to form interdisciplinary research teams, accelerate the transition of research results from laboratories to production lines, address critical technological bottlenecks in regional industries, and tackle 'chokepoint' technologies of national strategic importance, ultimately becoming a key force driving global industrial transformation."

Chang Jin, president of the University of Science and Technology of China and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that EIT demonstrated a forward-looking vision and strong reform momentum from the very beginning of its establishment.

He noted that the university has built a new, modern governance system, offering an important model for institutional innovation in higher education. By adopting internationally aligned talent systems, EIT has fostered an open and inclusive academic environment that has attracted a large number of leading scholars and promising young researchers.