Search the Community

Duke Kunshan University is a Sino-American partnership of Duke University and Wuhan University to create a world-class liberal arts and research university offering a range of academic programs for students from China and worldwide. A non-profit, joint-venture institution, Duke Kunshan University was granted accreditation approval by China's Ministry of Education in September 2013 and welcomed its inaugural class of students in August 2014. To spearhead the future of higher education, Duke Kunshan University is influenced and informed by both Chinese and American higher education traditions. The shared vision of Duke University and Wuhan University is that Duke Kunshan will help address the changing needs of global higher education. Their rich heritage inspires Duke Kunshan University to pursue academic excellence and integrity and to apply classroom knowledge in service to society. Duke Kunshan University delivers academic programs designed to address society's future needs through a curriculum based on the liberal arts tradition and a commitment to problem-based learning that challenges students to apply their knowledge during the learning process. Duke Kunshan University is governed by an independent Board of Trustees and operates under a set of guiding principles consistent with those of world-leading universities. Administrative operations are in charge of the university leadership team, headed by the Chancellor and the Executive Vice-Chancellor. Liu Jingnan, Duke Kunshan's Chancellor, is a distinguished scientist, the former president of Wuhan University, and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Denis Simon, the Executive Vice Chancellor, is a long-time expert on U.S.-China bilateral science and technology relations and a member of the U.S. Experts Group within the U.S.-China Innovation Dialogue. Duke Kunshan University is a place for learning, living, and growing, in a setting that encourages the pursuit of knowledge within and beyond the classroom. The City of Kunshan is located near Shanghai and Suzhou, two of the largest and most developed metropolitan areas in China. Connected to both by high-speed rail and highways, Kunshan is a center for business and high-tech research and manufacturing, and it has one of the fastest-growing economies in China. The 200-acre campus site is within the Kunshan Yangcheng Lake Science Park. It features state-of-the-art classroom and meeting facilities, library resources, student and faculty housing and dining space, and recreational facilities. Multi-purpose meeting spaces, breakout rooms, and study areas allow students to work individually or in groups to review course material, complete assignments, and participate in the campus's vibrant, intellectual life. Duke Kunshan University is accredited by the Ministry of Education (MOE) of the People's Republic of China. Duke University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degrees. SACSCOC does not accredit Duke Kunshan University, and the accreditation of Duke University does not extend to or include Duke Kunshan University or its students. Note that Duke Kunshan University students completing the course of study required by Duke Kunshan University will be conferred both a Duke Kunshan University graduation certificate and diploma officially approved by the MOE and a diploma from Duke University (Duke University and its degrees are accredited by SACSCOC). Duke Kunshan University is a highly selective research-oriented, liberal arts and sciences university located in China, whose primary mission is to enable students worldwide to lead purposeful and productive lives. By delivering the highest quality undergraduate and graduate genuinely interdisciplinary education, we prepare students for professional, intellectual, and societal leadership roles worldwide. The core of our educational offering is a four-year undergraduate degree program featuring an integrated and multi-disciplinary curriculum, with a compelling blend of Chinese, American, and global techniques and values and a culture of academic excellence and freedom. Our world-class faculty pursue knowledge in service to society, involving students in innovative scholarship and research programs. As a premier Sino-US joint-venture university, we embrace the integration of global, national, and local traditions of thought and experience and promote cross-cultural understanding and cross-border collaborations. Duke Kunshan University's core educational principles are: Curiosity, passion, and the search for truth augmented by advanced research skills and the capacity and desire to generate creative reasoned responses to complex issues and problems. A liberal arts and sciences pedagogy emphasize the importance of educational breadth, free inquiry, and deep engagement. Duke Kunshan University's interdisciplinary framework draws on multiple disciplines and integrates knowledge and research methodologies. Pluralism, tolerance, and a willingness to engage with and learn from others prepare for living, working, and leading – effectively and ethically – in an interconnected, multicultural world. Community action and service that is globally connected and locally grounded. View full university