Shantou University

Shantou University
	汕头大学
Motto	团结、勤奋、求实、创新
Motto in English	Solidarity, Diligence, Practice, Innovation
Type	Public
Established	1981
Endowment	HK$6 billion; US$ 770 million
President	Jiang hong
Academic staff	1,602
Students	10,294
Location	Shantou, Guangdong, China
Campus	Main campus; Medical College
Sponsor	Li Ka Shing Foundation
Website	http://www.stu.edu.cn

Shantou University (Chinese: 汕头大学; pinyin: Shàntóu Dàxué; abbreviated STU), a key comprehensive university under the provincial Project 211 program in Guangdong, was founded in 1981 with the approval of the State Council. It is the only public university that receives funding from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, it is also supported by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Li Ka Shing Foundation. STU is located in Shantou, a city in Southeast China.

History[edit]

Shantou University (STU) was founded in 1981 and started student enrollment in 1983, it is the only institution of higher education in the Chaoshan area.

STU, a key comprehensive university under the provincial Project 211 program, was founded in 1981 with the approval of the State Council; as the only public university that receives long-term funding from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, it is jointly supported by the Ministry of Education, the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Li Ka Shing Foundation. The Li Ka Shing Foundation has committed and donated a total of HK$5.4 billion to support Shantou University (including the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business), of which HK$4.2 billion has already been donated as of 2012.

STU is planning to relocate the Medical College into the main campus and to develop a globally advanced curriculum focusing on life science. Since 2001, the University has conducted a profound internationalization-oriented reform, and overseas talents have been recruited to serve as provost, vice president and deans. Through a series of reforms in curriculum design, teaching, resources management and human resources system, it aims to offer a platform for the exploration of higher educational reform in China.

STU is strongly supported by the Central, Provincial, and Municipal authorities; the Current General secretary visited the university in the early 1990s. Former General secretary Jiang Zemin paid two visits to the university and wrote the following inscription as praise and encouragement to the staff and students: “The mission is demanding and the journey ahead is long.” Other leaders of the Central Government have also visited the university. Among them are Chinese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party Hu Jintao, Premier Li Peng, NPC(National People's Congress), Chairman Qiao Shi, CPPCC Chairman Li Ruihuan, Vice Premier Li Lanqing and Vice Governor of Guangdong Wang Yang.

In 2012, the Ministry of Education, the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Li Ka Shing Foundation signed a tripartite agreement to co-develop STU; the agreement was reached to support STU’s continuing reform efforts geared to an internationally renowned and nationally elite university.

Institution[edit]

Organization Structure of Shantou University (As of May 2014)

The organization structure of Shantou University updated in 2014.jpg

Current Student Enrollment

Types of students		Current students			Graduates
		Subtotal	Main Campus	Medical College	Cumulative total from 1985 to 2013	Main Campus	Medical College
Bachelor's degrees		7,280	5,816	1,464	36,016	31,115	4,901
Overseas Students		27	21	5	1	-	1
Master’s Degrees		2,204	1,208	996	4,697	2,472	2,225
Doctoral Degrees		145	53	92	206	56	150
Subtotal		9,656	7,098	2,557	40,920	33,643	7,277
Continuing Education	Total	17,935	8,611	9,324	32,223	15,882	16,341
	4-year Program	5,453	2,414	3,039	9,352	3,692	5,660
	3-year Program	12,482	6,197	6,285	22,871	12,190	10,681
Grand total		27,591	15,709	11,881	73,143	49,525	23,618

History[edit]

Background of Establishment[edit]

Mr. Li Ka-shing inspecting STU's construction site.

With a population of more than 10 million and limited land, the opportunity to create industry in Chaoshan area is limited，and an institution of higher education was not available here for a long time. Determined to contribute to the development of his hometown, Mr. Li Ka-shing realized that cultivating capable and talented people is the key to creating and sustaining cultural and economic development in this area. University is where students are developed with critical thinking skills, broad horizons, correct values, creative ideas on science and technology, as well as professional skills. Therefore, Mr. Li decided to donate money for founding a high-level university here to cultivate talents with the motto “Aspiration, Knowledge, Perseverance, Achievement“, hoping they can work in Chaoshan area after graduation and help to improve the living standard of Chaoshan people, to boost the economic development of the local community, and to support the development of other areas in Guangdong Province and even the whole country. With the support and assistance of the Li Ka Shing Foundation and government officials at all levels, STU has achieved rapid development in the past three decades. Relations between the Li Ka Shing Foundation and University Communist party officials have soured over the years with significant conflict occurring in 2018 and 2019; as of 2019 the Li Ka Shing Foundation no longer has an office on campus.^[1]

STU foundation stone laying ceremony held in 1984

On February 8, 1990, the STU inauguration ceremony was held after completion

On August 26, 1983, the State Council granted permission to establish STU.
In 1983, STU began to enroll undergraduate students, and the Ministry of Education approved Shantou Medical Vocational School to be merged into STU and renamed Shantou University Medical College (SUMC).
On January 1, 1984, the STU foundation stone-laying ceremony was held.
On June 20, 1986, Deng Xiaoping received Mr. Li Ka-shing in Beijing and suggested that STU should develop along freer lines and gradually attain the status of a national key university.
On February 10, 1987, the STU Council was established.
On February 8, 1990, the STU inauguration ceremony was held.
In 1991, STU was listed among the universities to enroll students with scores above the first-round undergraduate admission cut-off mark.
In 1993, STU was authorized to conduct Master’s programs.
In December 1996, STU was short-listed as a candidate for the "Project 211".
In 1998, STU was authorized to offer doctoral programs.
In 2001, STU started its comprehensive educational reform.
In 2001, the “Sunshine Finance” reform was launched.
In 2001, the Preclinical Medicine Center for post-doctoral studies was established.
In 2002, Pathology and Pathophysiology were approved by the MOE as a National Key Discipline.
In 2002, the Credit System Reform and English Enhancement Program were launched.
In 2002, the system-based integrated medical curriculum was implemented.
In May 2005, STU passed the accreditation of ISO 9000/14000 quality/environment management system.
In 2006, the EIP-CDIO engineering educational reform was initiated.
In April 2007, STU was accredited "outstanding" by the Ministry of Education for its undergraduate programs after being audited by a team of high-caliber panelists elected by MOE.
In 2007, STU ranked No.53 among all national colleges & universities and No.14 among comprehensive universities, according to the 2007 Chinese University Ranking in Scientific Innovation.
In 2007, the reform of the faculty’s annual-salary system was conducted.
In 2008, STU was approved by the Ministry of Education to admit students who are recommended for master's degree programs without taking the exam.
In 2008, the pilot project of residential college system reform was launched, and the full-range undergraduate residential college, Veritas College, was established.
In 2009, STU was Designated by the GD Government as a pilot university for transforming into a self-governing institution of higher education.
In 2010, STU won the First Prize for the MOE Award for Scientific Research Achievements in Higher Education Institutions.
In 2010, STU was selected by the Ministry of Education to be among the first group of universities to conduct the “Outstanding Engineer Education Program”.
STU ranked No.9 in the “2010 Chinese Universities Nature & Science Publications Ranking,” and it was the only university listed from Guangdong province.
In 2011, STU’s proposed program of transform itself into a self-governing institution of higher education and conducting Medical Educational Reform was designated as the “Guangdong Pilot Project of Comprehensive Educational Reform”.
In 2011, Integrative Thinking core curriculum was designed for freshmen enrolled in 2011.
In 2012, each undergraduate student was required to take a community service course.
In 2012, the Business School’s Business Administration Degree Program was the first in Asia to pass the international accreditation of EPAS – EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development) Programme Accreditation System.
In 2012, STU ranked top for its paper citation counts in the “2012 Chinese Universities Nature & Science Publications Ranking”.
In 2012, the programs of Chemistry and Clinical Medicine entered the top 1% on a global list of programs based on ESI（Essential Science Indicators）data.
In June 2012, the Ministry of Education, the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Li Ka Shing Foundation signed a tripartite agreement to co-develop STU.
In 2013, STU was listed by the Ministry of Education of China as a mainland China partner university in “The Faculty and Students Exchange Programme between Universities in Hong Kong and Mainland China”.

Leadership[edit]

Honorary Chairman of Shantou University Council: Li Ka-Shing
Chairmen of Shantou University Council: Wu Nansheng, Lu Zhonghe, Li Hongzhong, Song Hai, and Chen Yunxian (current Chairman)
Honorary President: Xu Dixin
Presidents: Xu Dixin, Yang Yingqun, Dai Jingchen, Lin Weiming, Zhang Xiangwei, and Xu Xiaohu (current President)
Party Secretaries: Lin Chuan, Yang Yingqun, Lin Weiming, Huang Zanfa, Xie Liangao, and Song Yaozhen (current Party Secretary)

Campus[edit]

Shantou University covers an area of 1.26 km² with a total floor space of 455,500m². The university keeps expanding. Through the improvement of its infrastructure, such as the library, the stadium, and auditorium, the university works hard to provide students with a good learning environment and to improved the living community.

New Library[edit]

The STU new library, constructed with an investment from the Li Ka Shing Foundation of about 200 million RMB, was inaugurated and put into service in 2009, it is reputed as “the most beautiful university library in Asia”.^{[citation needed]} The new library was designed by Ray Chen (陈瑞宪), winner of the “Design for Asia Award” by Hong Kong Design Center. Built to resemble the form of a traditional “Chinese thread-bound book”, the library building also employs a modernist language with the emphasis on horizontality; the flow of space is extremely fluid and inter-penetrating.^{[citation needed]} Situated at the core of the library is the Grate Hall of Reading, which serves as the spiritual center of the library and conveys a feeling of solemnity and tranquility.^{[citation needed]} The upper-level bamboo courtyards and Self Study Room bring nature into the library by ushering in natural sunshine and creating a greening landscape of the traditional garden design.

With a total area of 21,000 square meters, the library features 1500 seats and 27 seminar rooms, and also has an exhibition room, lecture hall, conference center and Student Lounge; the library is covered with a wireless LAN to facilitate online journals database access. It took the lead in China in applying the UHF RFID technology to its book circulation as well as book sorting and checking. Total collections exceed 1,743,000 volumes or items, and the Chaoshan Literature Collection is listed in the project CADAL-China Academic Digital Associative Library, a national digital library project co-sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and National Development and Reform Commission.

The statue entitled “Looking up • Looking down”, one of the masterpieces of the British sculptor Zadok Ben-David, is placed near the entrance to the library.

Ju Ming's "Living World".

Ju Ming’s Sculpture Series “Living World”[edit]

In June 2006, the bronze sculpture series, “Living World” from Ju Ming, a famous Taiwanese sculptor, was positioned besides the picturesque reservoir on STU campus; the lower part of the cylinder-shaped building that holds the sculpture is constructed as a half-open reservoir working room.

The interior of the Great Hall.

The Great Hall.

The Great Hall[edit]

The Great Hall, also known as the auditorium, has a total area of over 5,600m² and a seating capacity of 1,798, it is equipped with advanced lighting, audiovisuals, and air conditioning.

Block A[edit]

The new administrative building of Shantou University

Block A, STU’s new administrative building, was inaugurated by Mr. Li Ka-Shing on June 28, 2012; the building covers a total area of 5,545m² and has a floor space of 16,319 m². It is a multifunctional space that integrates offices, conference rooms and exhibition halls. With the motto “inclusiveness and fairness empowers respect and trust", the building will accelerate STU’s ongoing reform and practice of Flat Management by supporting a more closely integrated administrative system. Putting the building into use, STU aims to demonstrate its idea of “good governance in support of academic freedom” and “Advanced Undergraduate Education”.

Academic Conference Center (ACC)[edit]

The academic conference center was designed by William Chang Suk Ping (张叔平); the ACC has over 50 rooms and conference halls, which are equipped with modern equipment. The conference center hosts international conferences and officials from around the world, as well as visiting scholars.

STU Sports Park[edit]

On June 29, 2012, a special ceremony was held to launch the STU sports arena project at its construction site; the Sports Park is designed to cover an area of 60,868.6m² and has a total construction area of 52,127.4m². It includes a 6,000-seat multi-use arena, a natatorium with competitive Olympic swimming pool, sport and fitness training facilities, a flexible grand conference hall, a 200-room boutique hotel and a structured car park for 200 vehicles; the sports arena is known as“High Park”. Li Ka Shing Foundation will offer full funding for the Construction Project, which is estimated as 350 million RMB; the construction project was scheduled to be completed in 2015. The sports arena will serve as a platform in support of STU’s whole-person education. While each of the above-mentioned elements is designed to work independently as an asset for the university, it is actually the way that the various program components work together that will result in a one-of-a-kind destination for the campus, community and the surrounding region. At the core of this unique concept is the enlightened philosophy of Petrarch as described in ‘The Ascent of Mount Ventroux’: “It is the realization that the journey up the mountain is more valuable to our spirit than the view from the summit.”

Colleges and Schools[edit]

Shantou University consists of the following colleges and schools:

College of Liberal Arts
College of Science
College of Engineering
Medical College
Law School
Business School (Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business)
Cheung Kong School of Journalism and Communications
Cheung Kong School of Art and Design
School of Continuing Education
Veritas College (residential college)
English Language Center

College of Liberal Arts[edit]

Dean: Mao Sihui

Department of Chinese Language and Literature	Chinese Language and Literature；Chinese as a Second Language	Director of General Office: Qiu Dongyang
Department of Foreign Language and Literature	English	Director of General Office: Qiu Dongyang

Dedicated to enriching curriculum, enhancing humanities studies, and serving the society, the College offers systematic and professional courses in eastern and western culture and basic writing, it stresses the importance of developing academic programs that promote the individual development of students and prepare them to meet various societal demands. The educational approach of combining humanities studies and vocational training is adopted for the English program.

College of Science[edit]

Dean: Liu Wenhua

Department of Mathematics	Mathematics and Applied Mathematics	Director of General Office: Lin Yu
Department of Physics	Applied Physics
Department of Chemistry	Applied Chemistry
Department of Biology	Biotechnology

In accordance with the international educational and academic standards, the College initiated the interdisciplinary analytical approach of learning to train students in critical thinking and innovation, it follows the general model of science education, with an emphasis on student development, and conducts innovative scientific research to cultivate professional talents with a global outlook.

College of Engineering[edit]

Dean: Chen Yan

Department of Computer Science	Computer Science and Technology	Director of General Office: Deng Yong
Department of Power Engineering	Power Engineering Information
Department of Civil Engineering	Civil Engineering
Department of Mechanical Electronic Engineering	Machine Design and Manufacturing and Automation, Communication Engineering

As the first CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, and Operate) member in China, the College has adopted the new EIP-CDIO (EIP stands for Ethics, Integrity, and Professionalism) educational model in line with the international practices related to engineering education; the model is implemented to train high-caliber, talented students in engineering practices and management with appropriate engineering knowledge, overall competence, multi-disciplinary learning experiences, and a global outlook.

Law School[edit]

Dean: Huai Xiaofeng

Department of Law	Law	Director of General Office: Zheng Shunqin
Department of Public Management	Public Administration
	Public Utilities Management

Based on the international approach of education called PLEASE (Professor, Language, Edited textbook, Activities, Disciplines and Employment), the School adopts bilingual and English immersed teaching modes for various programs including Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which received the accreditation of the Hong Kong International Administration Centre; the curriculum for the program of Public Administration is designed to help develop professionals for international public administration projects.

Business School[edit]

Dean: Lu Yuan

Department of Management Studies	Business Administration, Marketing	Director of General Office: Zhou Xiao'e
Department of Economics	International Economics and Trade, Finance
Department of Accounting	Accounting

In response to the requirements set by the accreditation authorities at home and abroad, the School is engaged in developing a distinctive teaching model that incorporates theories, arts, and techniques. Composed of interrelated disciplines, the curriculum focuses on advanced economic and management theories and practices, as well as the analysis of successful cases of domestic enterprises. To help develop new business professionals with morality, aspiration and power, the School has also set up the Chinese (esp. Chao-Shan) Business Case Bank, the Practice Base and Innovation Base for students, which helps to appropriately combine teaching theory, vocational training and student practicing.

Medical College[edit]

Dean: Bian Junhui

Department of Clinical Medicine	Clinical Medicine	Director of General Office: Zeng Yang
Department of Nursing	Nursing Studies	Director of General Office: Zeng Yang

With the implementation of the new paradigm of “system-based integrated teaching,” the College offers English-immersed courses to educate students in clinical medicine, medical ethics, scientific research and innovation, so as to develop practical medical abilities with high overall competence and innovation.

Cheung Kong School of Journalism and Communication[edit]

Dean: Fan Dongsheng

Department of Journalism and Communication	Broadcast Journalism	Director of General Office: Li Jing
	Journalism
	Editing and Publishing
	Advertising

With the reference to Columbia University’s and University of Missouri’s programs, the School develops a “fundamental but practical” curriculum, with international and practice-oriented features, it adopts the worldwide used curriculum system of “Platform Module” and offers small-group classes, English-immersed, and bilingual courses. It is also developing a four-year discipline in Journalistic English; the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Peter Arnett has taught at the school since 2007.^[2]

Cheung Kong School of Art and Design[edit]

Dean: Wang Shouzhi

Department of Design	Art and Design	Administrative Director: Heidi Lee
Department of Fine Arts	Fine Arts
Department of Art and Design	Art and Design Philosophy

School of Continuing Education[edit]

Dean: Wang Kanghua

Vocational Program for High School Graduates	17 disciplines	Director of General Office: Chen Wenguang
Undergraduate Program for Vocational School Graduates	10 disciplines	Director of General Office: Chen Wenguang

Veritas College[edit]

Dean: Li Dan

In July 2008, Shantou University established Veritas College, a residential college where various academic and community activities were organized to enrich the extra-curricular life of the residential students; those activities enabled the residential students from different majors to share different thoughts and interests, and also helped broadening their horizons, developing their interpersonal relationships, as well as strengthening their confidence, independence and sense of social responsibility.

English Language Center[edit]

Director: Mao Sihui

The English Language Center (ELC) was founded in 2003; the ELC provides English training for all students at Shantou University's main campus. The core of its program consists of a two-year series of required courses; the ELC also offers elective courses which are aimed at more specialized skills (debate, speech, academic writing, etc.). The ELC organizes many co-curricular activities.

The mission statement of the ELC aims to highlight its distinctive aspect; it emphasizes proficiency, autonomy, sustainability, intercultural competence, and critical thinking.

Affiliated Hospitals[edit]

First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College	Tan Xuerui, Director
Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College	Wang Changzhi, Director
Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College	Zhang Guojun, Director
The Mental Health Center of Shantou University	Huang Qingjun, Director
Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong	Peng Peizhi, Director

Educational Reform[edit]

STU made great efforts to carry out the Advanced Undergraduate Education reform that mainly includes “Integrative Thinking” training, integrated education model, adaptable academic programm ing, as well as evaluation and continuous improvement of teaching quality, it has developed a series of featured teaching models such as Credit System of International Standard, English Enhancement Program, CDIO approach of engineering education and system-based integrated medical curriculum. In quest of a unique educational model, STU made tremendous efforts to integrate such educational aspects as community service, liberal arts and sportsmanship into its holistic approach to talent training.

Credit System of International Standard[edit]

In 2002, STU implemented a credit system similar to those that have been proved successful for universities in developed countries, which provides students greater opportunities to choose a wider range of elective courses; this reform will provide STI students with more freedom in selecting courses and may lead to the establishment of a new interdisciplinary curriculum.

English Enhancement Program[edit]

In May 2002, the English Language Center (ELC) was set up and the “English Enhancement Program” was initiated to reform English language teaching designed for university-wide students who would like to pass CET.The objective of the program is to make the students better at communication, critical thinking and innovation with the use of English; the measure is to teach the students how to think and communicate in English through teaching and learning exchanges, and help the students develop their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, etc. by organizing extra-curricular activities involving the use of English.

EIP-CDIO Approach of Engineering Education[edit]

In 2005, upon thorough investigations on CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement and Operate) approach and local needs in China, and referring to the successful experience of engineering educational reform in Canada, STU decided to adopt the CDIO Initiative. To adapt to the local needs, the University determined to use a design directed EIP-CDIP approach. EIP stands for Ethics, Integrity and Professionalism. In 2006, STU became the first CDIO member among Chinese universities. In 2010, STU was selected by the Ministry of Education to be among the first group of universities to conduct the “Outstanding Engineer Education Program”.

Integrative Thinking[edit]

In Fall Semester 2011, STU began to offer “Integrative Thinking” (IT) courses to freshmen; the courses were designed to provide students with different learning experiences and to develop their integrative thinking ability and lifelong learning ability.

International Accreditation for Undergraduate Programs[edit]

STU continued to promote its work concerning international accreditation for its undergraduate programs. In 2011, the Business School’s BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) program was granted EFMD Programme Accreditation System (EPAS) accreditation, the first university in Asia to pass this kind of accreditation.

Whole-person Education[edit]

In 2012, Shantou University set a vision for developing students’ STU-DNA in support of the Holistic or Whole-person Education; this was a first for the university. By mainly offering general-education courses, service-learning activities and quality development projects, it gradually instilled the educational idea of the 4Cs (Culture, Civility, Character, Care) into every aspect of talent training. In 2008, STU established the first full-range residential college for undergraduate students in mainlan China, Veritas College, where students from different majors live together to share different thoughts. Establishing Veritas College is for the purpose of enabling the university to nurture “whole-persons” who are tailor-made for the society instead of merely imparting expert knowledge.

STU made tremendous efforts to integrate such educational aspects as community service, liberal arts and sportsmanship into its holistic approach to talent training; the University initiated compulsory community service courses to expand the application of the service-learning model. It was advocated that such courses should be connected to service-learning activities; the aim was to help students achieving all-round development, and to strengthen their sense of social responsibility and dedication. Since 2009, with support from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, STU carried out various quality development programs for students, such as Outdoor Training Camp on Nan-Ao Island, an expedition at Mt. Shishapangma, as well as community-service activities and expeditions at Brahmaputra River and Hoh Xil. Through launching these quality development programs, developing a high-quality STU basketball team and organizing student sporting activities, the University aims to cultivate students’ sportsmanship.

Program Development and Innovative Research[edit]

Shantou University has 1 National Key Discipline, offers Cheung Kong Scholar Professorships, provides 3 Postdoctoral Programs, 1 Doctoral Program for first-level discipline and 25 Doctoral Programs for second-level disciplines, 10 Master’s Programs for first-level disciplines and 84 Master’s Programs for second-level disciplines, as well as 6 Professional master's degree Programs, it also has 1 National Key Laboratory and 5 Provincial Key Laboratories, 2 National Pilot Sites for Innovative Talents Training, 7 National Distinctive Programs, as well as 4 Provincial Branded Programs. The University now offers a comprehensive education system from bachelor to doctorate programs, including a 7-year master program in Clinical Medicine. Currently, STU has a staff of 5,113 and over 9,450 students and has nurtured nearly 70,000 graduates; the University consists of ten colleges and schools, namely, College of Liberal Arts, College of Sciences, College of Engineering, Medical College, Law School, Business School, Cheung Kong School of Art and Design, Cheung Kong School of Journalism and Communication, Graduate School, School of Continuing Education and Veritas College. It enrolls qualified students from all over the country (including Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Taiwan). STU has established centers and laboratories, which conduct basic scientific research and directly serve local economic development, including the Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Technology Laboratory funded by the Ministry of Education, STU Division of National Key Discipline in Molecular Pathology, Research Institute of Tumor Pathology, Marine Biology Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Image-processing Technology Key Laboratory of Guangdong Province, CAD/CAM Center, Laboratory for Wind Tunnel Testing, Laboratory for Structural Engineering, FMS Laboratory and Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Pattern Recognition.

In 2012, the programs of Chemistry and Clinical Medicine are listed in the global top 1% of programs based on ESI（Essential Science Indicators）data, fully demonstrating the favorable results of the “211 Project”.

In 2011, STU obtained 70,308,100 RMB in total funding for research projects, an increase of 45.8% over the previous year. Altogether, 54 projects were awarded a cumulative total of 27,547,000 RMB from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the National Social Sciences Foundation; the national-level funding received was up by over 60%.

According to the statistics released by The Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (ISTIC) in December 2012, the average impact factor of SCIE-indexed periodicals where STU faculty and staff published their papers was raised from 1.92 in 2007 to 2.59 in 2011, which is historically high. STU ranked top for its paper citation counts in the “2012 Chinese Universities Nature & Science Publications Ranking”. In 2012, STU won the funding for major projects of cultural industry in Guangdong Province for the first time, and STU faculty were awarded the Funding for MOE New Century Outstanding Talents in humanities and social sciences for the first time.

International Exchange and Cooperation[edit]

STU takes full advantage of the support from the Li Ka Shing Foundation and the ties with overseas universities to strengthen academic exchange and cooperation. Distinguished scholars from first-class universities at home and abroad have been invited to present seminars or lectures to the University’s undergraduate students, so as to broaden their academic horizon. Among the scholars are Nobel laureates Chen Ning Yang, Tsung-dao Lee, Chao Chung Ting, James Mirless, Steven Chu, Barry J. Marshall and Mo Yanas, well as other world-class celebrities including Shiing-Shen Chern, Shing-Tung Yau, Yuh-kang Pan and David D. Ho; some famous scientists from well-known universities like Cambridge University, University of California at Berkeley (UCB) and University of Western Australia were also recruited as honorary professors, chair professors or adjunct professors to deliver academic lectures at the university.

Under the auspice of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, STU has become one of the few universities in Mainland China that awards full scholarships to overseas exchange students; the university has established close academic ties with nearly 20 universities in such countries as the United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Russia, Australia and Germany, and launched exchange programs for undergraduates and graduate students.

Programs	Participants
Exchange program between Whitman College (U.S.) and Shantou University	All undergraduate
Shantou University and University of Calgary Global Leadership and Innovation Program	All undergraduate
Shantou University Students Oversea Studies Funding Scheme	All undergraduate
Student Exchange between Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (GE) and Shantou University	Cheung Kong School of Art and Design
Shantou University and University of Calgary CDIO Program	College of Engineering
Student Exchange between University of Manitoba and Shantou University	Business School
Student Exchange between Universidade Catòlica Portuguesa and Shantou University	Business School
Student Exchange between Dublin City University and Shantou University	College of Liberal Arts
Student Exchange between National University of Ireland, Galway and Shantou University	All colleges & schools
Student Exchange between University West and Shantou University	Business School, College of Engineering
Student Exchange between University of Northampton and Shantou University	Business School, Cheung Kong School of Art & Design
Student Exchange between Coventry University and Shantou University	Cheung Kong School of Journalism & Communication, College of Engineering, Cheung Kong School of Art & Design
Student Exchange between Victoria University and Shantou University	Business School
Internship program for selected students to work for Hong Kong and Macau press companies	Cheung Kong School of Journalism and Communication
Internship program with selected law firms in Hong Kong	Law School
To select students for short-term study in overseas universities (including Oxford University, UK; Ehime University, JP; University of Manitoba, CA; University of Toronto, CA; Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Polytechnic University), or recommend and sponsor distinguished graduates for master’s programs in the University of Western Australia and Cambridge University.	Medical College
International Immunity and Infection Institute co-founded by SUMC, University Health Network (UNH) in Canada and Medical Faculty University of Hong Kong (HKU). To recommend graduate and undergraduate students with outstanding academic performance to study for an MSc in Global Health Sciences in the University of Oxford, a program funded by the Li Ka Shing Foundation. To fund graduate students for research training in University of Western Australia during summer vacation.	Medical College