Twenty-three domestic and international academics have expressed interest in joining Shenzhen Ocean University, which will begin admitting students once the campus construction is completed in 2025, according to Lin Jian, head of the preparatory team for SOU.

Lin, who has dedicated over 30 years to ocean research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, said the new university aims to nurture top-tier professionals in ocean-related fields, foster strong collaborations with leading enterprises in this domain, and propel Shenzhen's ocean economy towards significant advancements.

According to Lin, the SOU will emphasize engineering disciplines and focus on resolving critical technical issues.

"Engineering will comprise 60 percent of the university's disciplines, followed by science at 30 percent, and other fields at 10 percent," Lin said, adding that the university "will have 12 schools, offering 21 majors, with an expected student body of 8,000."

"The ratio of bachelor, master, and doctoral students will be 2:2:1," Lin said.

Located in Baguang in Dapeng New Area, the SOU construction project was approved by Shenzhen in 2022, with its preparation headed by the Southern University of Science and Technology.

According to Dapeng's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), the university will be built into a world-leading institution with top-notch disciplines.

Shenzhen aims to establish itself as a global ocean hub, as outlined in a 2019 national guideline to support Shenzhen in creating a pilot demonstration area reflecting socialism with Chinese characteristics. Therefore, developing the SOU is crucial, as it amplifies the city's role as a central force in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This initiative aligns with the nation's strategy to strengthen its maritime capabilities.

Yi Yang in Shenzhen contributed to this story.