Great Bay University (GBU) in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, has challenged the fundamentals of China’s higher education institutions since the start of this academic year. At GBU, freshmen can change their majors freely and the student-teacher ratio is lower than at traditional universities. It also emphasizes that humanities are still essential for all STEM students. While concerned about graduate employment prospects, GBU expects its students to be more well-rounded, rather than merely churning out graduates who satisfy market demand. Other new institutions, including Fuyao University of Science and Technology and Westlake University, also adhere to non-traditional approaches to education. Educators are calling for reform to China’s rigid learning system, which prioritizes test scores more than the need for individual growth.
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