In a milestone in building a new type of Chinese research-oriented institution, the Ministry of Education approved the establishment of Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology last week, the university said on Wednesday.

It said it will enroll its first undergraduate students this year, initially admitting them under the general category of computer science and technology.

After the first year, students will be able to choose their specific majors based on their interests, the university said, adding that the majors available will include computer science and technology, materials science and engineering, neuroscience, biotechnology, pharmacy and biomedical engineering.

"SUAT plans to become a top university in science and technology in China within 10 years and a world-class university in science and engineering within 20 years," said Fan Jianping, director of the university's preparatory office.

He expressed his gratitude for the support given by the city government of Shenzhen in Guangdong province, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and "the current era that promotes technological innovation".

Unlike other universities, which were established from the ground up, SUAT will build on 18 years of success at CAS's Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology. Over the years, the institutes have secured over 20 billion yuan in research funding, filed more than 15,000 patent applications and ranked top among universities and research institutions in Patent Cooperation Treaty patent applications.

Fan, also the founding president of SIAT, said the institutes' achievements stemmed from the founding principle of building an international team and that experience and success had been further amplified in the development of SUAT.

The model of building a university based on leading research organizations can be found worldwide, Fan said, adding that the future relationship between SUAT and SIAT could be something akin to that of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Lincoln Laboratory, or that of the University of Chicago and the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

China has been promoting the building of a new type of research-oriented institution in recent years. Education Minister Huai Jinpeng said the aim is to "establish a powerful country in education, an important center for talent, and a highland for innovation in the world".

Fan said the national strategy aims to explore innovative ways of developing higher education.

"By introducing competition and encouraging mutual improvement among universities, the new type of research-oriented institutions will raise the quality of higher education across the country and will motivate existing universities to enhance their standards," he said.

Hu Xinyan in Guangzhou contributed to this story.