Students have begun their courses at a private university in China that aims to be among the world¡¯s best within 15 years.

Westlake University in Hangzhou ¨C which will focus on the natural sciences, medical science and advanced technology ¨C held an opening ceremony for doctoral students, the state-run broadcaster CGTN reported on its .

¡°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,¡± the website¡¯s report adds.

The website says that ¡°120 students were selected to enter the university from around 1,500 applicants¡±.

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Although the institution admitted its first batch of 19 students in autumn 2017, it was classified as a research institute ¨C under the name Westlake Institute of Advanced Study ¨C until it won the Ministry of Education¡¯s approval in March to operate as a university.

The non-profit institution, initially for doctoral students only, is expected to grow to 5,000 students once undergraduates are admitted.

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Professor Shi has been as having said last December in a speech that, within 15 years, ¡°every indicator of our university will be on a par with that of Caltech¡±. The institution ¡°will be regarded as one of the best universities not just in Asia but around the world¡±, he added.

Observers have suggested that the Chinese government?might be trialling a new form of university governance, allowing a greater degree of autonomy, through the institution.

john.morgan@timeshighereducation.com