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A new university proposed by the Chinese billionaire founder of Fuyao Glass Industry Group, the company featured in the Oscar-winning 2019 documentary American Factory, has received preliminary approval from education authorities.

The Chinese Ministry of Education on Monday granted a licence to Fuyao University of Science and Technology (FYUST) in Fuzhou, capital of southeast Fujian province, to provide undergraduate education. A public consultation is ongoing until Friday.

Heren Charity Foundation, established by Fuyao Glass founder and chairman Cao Dewang, has donated 10 billion yuan (US$1.36 billion) worth of Fuyao shares to the project, which was announced in 2021.

Cao aspired to “benchmark FYUST against Stanford University” in the US, said the Chinese university’s president Wang Shuguo last week, according to local media reports. He also said the school would start recruiting students this year.

FYUST “aims to become a high-level science and engineering research-oriented university”, according to its official website. The institution will begin with seven faculties, including materials science and technology, computer science and engineering, and mechanical engineering and automation.

Netflix’s American Factory focuses on the cultural clashes between the Chinese owner of a factory in Ohio and its US workers. Photo: Handout
Netflix’s American Factory focuses on the cultural clashes between the Chinese owner of a factory in Ohio and its US workers. Photo: Handout
FYUST is the only private institution among the 14 newly-approved tertiary colleges in China, including eight others that also focus on science and engineering. Beijing is striving to close its gap with the US and Europe in advanced technologies, such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and smart manufacturing.



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