First students enroll at China's Westlake University

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‍The opening ceremony for 2018 doctoral students at Westlake University kicked off in the West Lake area on Sunday. As a special university established to unite world-class research-oriented institutes, Westlake University has attracted top-level talents in China.

Situated in east China’s Hangzhou city, Westlake University aims to train students in both basic academic research and cutting-edge disciplines. The university is based in the Westlake Institute for Advanced Studies, and will focus on research in natural sciences, medical science and advanced technology.

Westlake University/VCG Photo

The university began to recruit teachers in July 2016, and had received more than 5,000 resumes from all over the world, with 95 percent from overseas. 67 scientists in fields such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry are currently at the university.

The university will provide doctoral education first, and will begin undergraduate education at an “appropriate time”. This year, 120 students were selected to enter the university from around 1,500 applicants.

Some students revealed that they had given up well-paid jobs to study at Westlake University. How will they be treated during their education?

“This is a secret,” says one of the students, “but I can say that we can enjoy a first-class life allowance.”

In the upcoming years, the students will also be able to study in China’s top universities, such as Fudan University and Zhejiang University.

Students enroll into Westlake University. /VCG Photo

During the opening ceremony, Shi Yigong, the president of Westlake University, asked students to be “thirsty for knowledge”, cultivate wisdom, develop strong morals and be responsible in society.

According to the plan, the number of doctoral students at Westlake University will be over 1,220 in 2021.