The Great Bay University. [Photo/VCG]

A newly established university in Dongguan, Guangdong province, is projected to play a role in providing talent support for Dongguan city and even the entire Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The establishment of Great Bay University will help further accelerate the development of a new-quality productive force and boost technological innovation and the development of emerging industries in the GBA, said its founding president Tian Gang.

Tian said the university defines its orientation as a "science and engineering-based, small yet elite, high-level research-focused institution".

Based on the advantages and development needs of relevant fields in the GBA, the university will focus on six disciplines, namely materials science, advanced engineering, life sciences, information science and technology, fundamental science, and financial management, to nurture and train high-caliber research-oriented talents equipped with the capabilities to solve complex problems and conduct innovative practices, Tian said.

Tian, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, made the remarks at the university's inauguration ceremony held in Dongguan, a global production base, on Saturday.

The university's campus near Songshan Lake is located in the pilot zone of the Comprehensive National Science Center in the GBA, adjacent to major scientific infrastructures and research platforms such as the China Spallation Neutron Source, a world-leading scientific project, and the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory.

A number of leading enterprises, including Huawei, have also established their presence nearby.

The Ministry of Education officially replied to Guangdong on June 19, approving the establishment of the university.

In August, the university officially commenced its operations, with its first cohort of 80 newly enrolled students hailing from 53 middle schools across 16 cities in the province.

Upon admission in their first year, students do not declare a specific major, with a focus on self-exploration.

"Starting from their second year, they can freely choose their majors, and cross-disciplinary minor programs are also available," said Tian.

Meanwhile, the university, which is recruiting talent globally, has a research faculty of more than 300 members, all holding doctoral degrees, he said.

More than 70 percent of them have overseas study or work experience.