History and timeline
* Jan. 2010 – A Cooperation Agreement signed between Duke University and the People's Government of Kunshan * Sep. 2010 – Construction of Phase 1 campus started * 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 the Chinese Ministry of Education * 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 toAdministration and organization
Duke Kunshan University is governed by an independent Board of Trustees, with members from Duke University and Wuhan University.Academics
Undergraduate admissions
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. 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. 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. International students, including those from the United States, typically submit transcripts, SAT or ACT standardized test scores, and application essays. However, a test-optional policy is in effect for applications submitted in 2020 and 2021.Graduate admissions
Students can apply separately to each of DKU's five graduate programs.Academic programs
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. There are 15 majors approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education so far, which span the natural sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities. 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". 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. 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 inAcademic freedom concerns
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.Rankings
Both Duke University and Wuhan University have been recognized in the top ten in respective national rankings.Campus
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. Kunshan's location betweenAlumni
Duke Kunshan University alumni are coterminous with Duke Alumni, 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. Undergraduate alumni from the inaugural class of 2022 include 1 Rhodes Scholar, 2 Yenching Scholars, and 1 Schwarzman Scholar.Research centers
* Global Health Research Center (1st research center at Duke Kunshan) * Environmental Research CenterConferences
*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.References
External links