Duke Kunshan University

Joint venture university in Kunshan, China

For the university in Tainan City, see Kun Shan University.

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Duke Kunshan University

昆山杜克大学

Type| Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools (中外合作办学)
Established| 2018; 6 years ago (2018)

Parent institution

| Duke University
Wuhan University
Chancellor| Liu Yaolin
Executive Vice Chancellor| John Quelch
Students| 1,713 (Fall 2023)
Undergraduates| 1,447
Postgraduates| 227
Location|

Kunshan, Jiangsu, China

Campus| Suburban/Urban, 200 acres (0.81 km2)
Affiliations| AALAU
Mascot| Trailblazers (Duke blue Deer)
Website| dukekunshan.edu.cn
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese| 昆山杜克大学
Traditional Chinese| 崑山杜克大學
| Transcriptions

Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin| Kūnshān Dùkè Dàxué

Duke Kunshan University (DKU; 昆山杜克大学) is a university in Kunshan, Jiangsu, China. It was established in 2018 by a joint venture between Duke University and Wuhan University.[1] The university is an independent legal entity.[2]

Duke Kunshan offers a four-year, fully residential undergraduate program, along with two masters programs in conjunction with Duke University.[3] The university has 1,713 enrolled students as of December 2023.[4] The inaugural undergraduate class of 2022 consisted of 234 students entering in 2018.[5] At full capacity, the university will have 500 undergraduate students in each class.[6][7]

## History and timeline

[edit]

* Jan. 2010 – A Cooperation Agreement signed between Duke University and the People's Government of Kunshan[8]

* Sep. 2010 – Construction of Phase 1 campus started[9]
* Jan. 2011 – Cooperation Principles Statement signed between Duke University and Wuhan University
* Jun. 2011 – Application for Preparation Approval of Duke Kunshan University submitted to Jiangsu Provincial Bureau of Education
* Aug. 2012 – Preparation Approval from China's Ministry of Education[10]
* Sep. 2012 – Appointments of Duke Kunshan Chancellor and Executive Vice Chancellor
* Dec. 2012 – Celebration Ceremony of Preparation Approval in Kunshan
* Apr. 2013 – Application for formal establishment of Duke Kunshan University submitted to Jiangsu Provincial Bureau of Education
* Sep. 2013 – Duke Kunshan Establishment Approval granted by China's Ministry of Education[11]
* Nov. 2013 – First meeting of Duke Kunshan Board of Trustees held at Wuhan University
* Dec. 2013 – Duke Kunshan legal entity registration completed
* Jan. 2014 – Duke Kunshan Advisory Board established
* Apr. 2014 – Second Meeting of Duke Kunshan Board of Trustees held in Kunshan
* May 2014 – First meeting of Duke Kunshan Advisory Board held in Beijing
* Jul. 2014 – Duke Kunshan Master of Management program began in Durham
* Aug. 2014 – Inaugural Convocation and Orientation Week held at Duke Kunshan University
* Aug. 2018 – Inaugural undergraduate program begins[12]
* Aug. 2019 – Innovation Building opened, construction of Phase 2 campus begins[13]
* Jan. 2020 – COVID-19 forces international students off campus, DKU switches to hybrid classes [14]
* Aug. 2020 – First group of DKU undergraduates begin study abroad at Duke's main campus.[15]
* May 2022 – Inaugural undergraduate of 2022 graduates in hybrid ceremony at Duke and DKU's campuses[16]
* July 2023 – Creation of university mascot called the “Trailblazers” which is a Duke blue-colored deer[17]

## Administration and organization

[edit]

Duke Kunshan University is governed by an independent Board of Trustees, with members from Duke University and Wuhan University.[18]

## Academics

[edit]

### Undergraduate admissions

[edit]

Duke Kunshan University admitted its first undergraduate students as part of the Class of 2022. Significantly exceeding its original target of 1,500 applicants, the university received a total of 3,143 applications for an estimated 225 first-year spots, including 2,551 applications from China and 332 from the United States. There were 80 countries represented in the applicant pool, including Kazakhstan, South Korea, Pakistan, and Ethiopia.[19]

In March 2018, DKU admitted 251 students, or 7.98% of its inaugural applicant pool, a selectivity similar to the 8.3% acceptance rate at Duke University.[20]

All undergraduate applications for Duke Kunshan are submitted using the Common Application. Students applying to Duke University can also check a box on the Duke application to apply for admission to Duke Kunshan University.[21] International students, including those from the United States, typically submit transcripts, SAT or ACT standardized test scores, and application essays.[19] However, a test-optional policy is in effect for applications submitted in 2020 and 2021.[22]

### Graduate admissions

[edit]

Students can apply separately to each of DKU's five graduate programs.[23]

### Academic programs

[edit]

Interior of the Academic Building

The undergraduate curriculum is structured into divisional areas of knowledge (Natural and Applied Sciences, Social Sciences, and Arts and Humanities) in contrast with traditional university academic departments. Undergraduate students declare their major in sophomore year.[24] There are 15 majors approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education so far, which span the natural sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities.[24] Many of the majors have multiple tracks or concentrations that students choose between.

Core components of the undergraduate curriculum include core courses (taken once per year for the first three years), with each major consisting of an "interdisciplinary set of courses that integrates different forms of knowledge and a distinct set of disciplinary courses that provides expertise in specific areas".[24] Semesters are broken up into two seven week sessions, and classes are not scheduled on Fridays to support field trips, internships, and other co-curricular activities. Additionally, international students, including those from the United States, are required to take Chinese language for the first two years and can continue with more advanced courses afterwards.[6]

In November 2022, DKU launched the Duke Kunshan–Duke-NUS Medicine Pathway for undergraduates studying data science and global health/biology to complete their Doctor of Medicine at Duke NUS Medical School in Singapore.[25][26]

### Academic freedom concerns

[edit]

An article in the Financial Times stated that although Duke Kunshan University had signed legally binding agreements with Education Ministry of China that guaranteed academic freedom on campus, many academics had doubts that the agreements would be upheld.[27]

### Rankings

[edit]

Both Duke University and Wuhan University have been recognized in the top ten in respective national rankings.[28][29]

## Campus

[edit]

Panorama of Phase I of the "Water Feature", which separates the Academic Building (L), Conference Center (R) and Innovation Center (Background).

Duke Kunshan is located in a 200-acre campus in Kunshan, a city in southeastern Jiangsu province. The campus will become the center of the Duke Creative Park, part of the city's “Five Zones, One Line” plan for urban renewal. The area will host the Sino-US (Kunshan) Technology Innovation Center and serve as a mixed-used project integrating R&D centers, business services, and ecological parks.[30]

Kunshan's location between Shanghai and Suzhou allows easy access to these major metropolitan centers by highways and high-speed railway.[31]

A single dorm room within a four-person Student Residence Hall suite

The campus is being constructed in phases, with Phase I designed by American design and architecture firm Gensler.[32] Phase 1 facilities include an academic building with a variety of classroom configurations, a 200-bed dormitory building, a conference center and hotel, a faculty residence, and an administration building. An innovation center equipped with a library, classrooms and team rooms was opened in 2019.

Phase 2 was completed in 2023.[33] Designed by Perkins and Will,[34] Phase 2 features an expansion of undergraduate, graduate, and faculty housing, a community center, recreation center, the WD Research Institute, and a library.[35] The 71.3 acre Duke Kunshan Gardens are also currently under construction, and are scheduled for completion in 2023.[36]

Later plans call for Phase III and IV construction to take place in the coming decade.[33]

As part of the partnership between Duke University, Wuhan University, and the city of Kunshan, the municipal government has leased the Duke Kunshan University campus to the university at no cost for the first ten years as well as paying for construction of the buildings.[37]

## Alumni

[edit]

Duke Kunshan University alumni are coterminous with Duke Alumni,[38] being conferred Duke University undergraduate or graduate degrees (accredited by SACSCOC) upon graduation. Undergraduates also receive a graduation certificate and diploma officially approved by the Chinese MOE.[39]

Alumni include 1 Rhodes Scholar,[40] 2 Yenching Scholars, and 2 Schwarzman Scholars.[41][42]

## Research centers

[edit]

View of the Academic Building

* Global Health Research Center (1st research center at Duke Kunshan)[43]
* Environmental Research Center[44][45]
* Humanities Research Center

## Conferences

[edit]

* International Meteorite Conference, Meteorite China – Duke Kunshan University hosted China's first-ever international meteorite conference on 15 September 2017. Over 80 scientists from China, the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and Russia met at the three-day event. Enthusiasts and meteorite collectors also participated in the conference.[46]

## See also

[edit]

* Duke University
* Wuhan University

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "DKU's Connection with Duke University | International Admissions - Duke Kunshan University". 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
2. ^ "教育部予以资格认定的中外合作办学单位 – 昆山杜克大学（Kunshan Duke University）". 中华人民共和国教育部 Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
3. ^ School, The Graduate. "Programs at Duke Kunshan | The Graduate School". gradschool.duke.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
4. ^ "Dr. John Quelch Named Executive Vice Chancellor at Duke Kunshan University - News | Duke Kunshan University". 2023-12-22. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
5. ^ "Duke Kunshan University Welcomes Its First Undergraduate Class – News | Duke Kunshan University". Retrieved 2024-06-01.
6. ^ a b "Duke Kunshan University Fact Sheet" (PDF). dukekunshan.edu.cn. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-11-19. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
7. ^ "Duke Kunshan University Celebrates First Undergraduate Class". Duke Today. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
8. ^ "Milestones of Duke Kunshan University | Duke Kunshan University". dukekunshan.edu.cn. Archived from the original on 2018-11-19. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
9. ^ Duke Kunshan University | Architect Magazine https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/duke-kunshan-university_o
10. ^ WRAL (2012-08-23). "China gives green light to first Duke campus". WRAL.com. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
11. ^ Redden, Elizabeth. "Duke's China Campus Gains Ministry Approval". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
12. ^ "DUKE KUNSHAN UNIVERSITY WELCOMES ITS FIRST UNDERGRADUATE CLASS | Duke Kunshan University". dukekunshan.edu.cn. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
13. ^ "Duke Kunshan Breaks Ground on Green Campus Expansion Project". today.duke.edu. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
14. ^ "China's coronavirus crisis forces Duke Kunshan University to teach online". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
15. ^ "During Pandemic, Duke and Duke Kunshan Students Find a Home at the Other Campus". today.duke.edu. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
16. ^ "Duke Kunshan University Celebrates First Undergraduate Class". today.duke.edu. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
17. ^ "DKU voted for a new mascot. As students return to campus, here's how administrators see it as a potential 'unifying symbol'". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
18. ^ "About Duke Kunshan".
19. ^ a b "Applicants for slots at its Kunshan, China campus swamping Duke projections. See why". heraldsun. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
20. ^ "Duke Kunshan University accepts 250 students to its class of 2022". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
21. ^ "13. DKU Brochure PDF - The Times Higher Education" (PDF). timeshighereducation.com. 27 July 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
22. ^ "Duke Kunshan Admissions - Test Optional Policy". dukekunshan.edu.cn. 2021-07-27. Archived from the original on 2020-12-04. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
23. ^ "Graduate admissions". Duke Kunshan University. 26 February 2021.
24. ^ a b c "Majors – Duke Kunshan University". Duke Kunshan University. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
25. ^ "Duke Kunshan-Duke-NUS Medicine Pathway". DukeNUS. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
26. ^ "DKU joins forces with Duke-NUS to offer medical training pathway". Duke Kunshan University. November 4, 2022.
27. ^ "Beijing vies for greater control of foreign universities in China". Financial Times. 2017-11-19.
28. ^ "Duke In Top 10 of Latest U.S. News Rankings". Retrieved 2018-06-26.
29. ^ "2016中国大学排行榜700强,北京大学雄居榜首 艾瑞深中国校友会网(cuaa.net) -2016中国大学排行榜,2016中国独立学院排行榜,2016中国民办大学排行榜". cuaa.net. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2018-06-26.
30. ^ "Kunshan releases "Five Zones, One Line" plan for urban renewal". Retrieved 2018-11-17.
31. ^ "A Duke Kunshan University Virtual Tour". Duke Global.[permanent dead link]
32. ^ "Duke Kunshan University | Projects | Gensler". Gensler. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
33. ^ a b "DKU prepares for launch of undergraduate degree program". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
34. ^ "John Ji on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
35. ^ Duke Kunshan (2018-05-06), A Campus for the Future, retrieved 2018-11-17
36. ^ 江巍. "Duke Kunshan University begins work to expand campus – Chinadaily.com.cn". chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
37. ^ "Duke's China Plan Sparks Doubts on Campus". The Chronicle of Higher Education. 2011-05-25. Retrieved 2018-06-26.
38. ^ "Benefits".
39. ^ "Dual Degree Information | Office of Duke Kunshan University Relations". dkurelations.duke.edu. Archived from the original on 2022-07-03. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
40. ^ "DKU senior Ege Kaan Duman marks first student from Turkey, Kunshan campus to be named Rhodes Scholar". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
41. ^ "Three Students from Duke, Duke Kunshan Receive Schwarzman Scholarships for Graduate Study in China". today.duke.edu. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
42. ^ "Two Duke Seniors, One DKU Alumnus Earn Schwarzman Scholarship for Graduate Study in China". Duke Today. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
43. ^ "Global Health Research Center". Archived from the original on 2018-11-28. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
44. ^ hermes (20 September 2018). "Duke Kunshan Environment". Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
45. ^ hermes (3 September 2017). "China punishes 18,000 companies for pollution". The Straits Times. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
46. ^ Tone, Sixth (18 September 2017). "Scientists and Meteorite Hunters Descend on Suzhou". Retrieved 21 September 2017.

## External links

[edit]

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