Westlake University: The Budding Chinese Ivy League and the Rise of 'Westlake-affiliated' Enterprises

Within the higher education system in China,Westlake UniversityIt is absolutely a case worth watching. As China’s first new-type private university, it has pioneered a higher education model characterized by “high starting point, small scale with excellence, and research orientation,” thereby shattering the stereotypical perception of private universities in China.

Being small and newly established, Westlake University can flexibly explore innovative mechanisms for talent cultivation, scientific research, and university governance. Its high starting point, marked by the distinctive approach of commencing with doctoral education, will swiftly garner attention from the international academic community.

Westlake University’s Academic Ring at the Yungu Campus. Image source: Westlake University official website

“When we first decided to write about Westlake University, a partner focused on the commercialization of scientific research achievements told VCBeat that everything at Westlake University is worth seeing,”She has a feeling of Chinese ivy budding.. This article aims to explain the “West Lake Model” and to present a particular state of affairs:Nearly all of the world’s top-tier universities are private institutions. To some extent, Westlake University’s pathways in education, innovation, and technology transfer represent a new model and experimental approach for Chinese higher education.

In 2018, the Westlake Institute for Advanced Study in Zhejiang received official approval from the Ministry of Education to be renamed Westlake University. Its predecessor was the Westlake Institute for Advanced Study in Zhejiang, which was co-founded by seven individuals: Shi Yigong, Chen Shiyi, Pan Jianwei, Rao Yi, Qian Yingyi, Zhang Hui, and Wang Jian. The university was established with funding raised by the Hangzhou Westlake Education Foundation, whose donors prominently include figures such as Wang Jianlin and Ma Huateng.

Key Milestones in the Historical Development of Westlake University. Image source: Official website of Westlake University

Following the establishment of Westlake University, its inaugural Board of Directors was convened. Mr. Yang Zhenning, a Nobel Laureate in Physics and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Board. Mr. Qian Yingyi, the fourth Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University and a Senior Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences, serves as the Chairman of the Board. Mr. Qin Yinglin, Chairman of Muyuan Foodstuff Co., Ltd., serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board. The inaugural Board of Directors confirmed the election of Mr. Shi Yigong as the first President of Westlake University.

Unlike the vast majority of higher education institutions in China, Westlake University is a private, novel university dedicated to cutting-edge research.Drawing on the model of the California Institute of Technology and the educational philosophy of Stanford University, positioning itself as “high-starting, small yet specialized, and research-oriented,” it has established three core colleges: the College of Life Sciences, the College of Science, and the College of Engineering.

To explore the reasons behind this, we may find some clues in Professor Shi Yigong’s first book, Breaking Through: A Memoir.Cutting-edge research across the three colleges of Science, Engineering, and Life Sciences has permeated every aspect of modern science and technology.。”

In fact, the tripartite structure of schools and departments underpins Westlake University’s scientific research framework.

School of Life SciencesOne hundred principal investigators (PIs) conduct research focused on life phenomena and disease mechanisms, as well as the development of novel biopharmaceutical technologies and innovative methods for disease diagnosis and treatment. Their independent laboratories cover multiple fields, including structural biology, cell biology, stem cell research and cell therapy, and neurobiology and behavior. Among these, the Key Laboratories of Zhejiang Province in Structural Biology, Growth Regulation, and Translational Medicine are directed by Professor Shi Yigong and Professor Xu Tian, respectively.

Key/Core Laboratories, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University (Source: Westlake University Official Website)

Another school of Westlake University “School of Science"The institution comprises departments of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and others. Its 70 Principal Investigators (PIs) conduct research in fields including number theory, analysis, algebra, geometry, condensed matter physics, quantum physics, atomic, molecular, and optical physics, catalytic chemistry, chemical biology, materials chemistry, and ultrafast laser spectroscopy. Among its facilities, the Laboratory for Precision Synthesis of Functional Molecules and the Quantum Materials Laboratory are both designated as Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratories, directed respectively by Professor Deng Li and Dr. He Ruihua."

Key/Core Laboratories of the School of Science, Westlake University. Data source: Official website of Westlake University

The last school of Westlake University is “College of Engineering”, the College comprises four academic divisions—Artificial Intelligence, Electronic Science and Technology, Environment and Resources, and Materials Science and Engineering—corresponding to four first-level disciplines for future undergraduate and doctoral programs: Computer Science and Technology, Electronic Science and Technology, Environmental Science and Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering.

Currently, the College of Engineering has established multiple laboratories covering fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, data science, advanced manufacturing, nanotechnology, new energy, marine science, comprehensive utilization of environment and resources, bioengineering, and microelectronics. In 2019, the College of Engineering was officially approved to establish the Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of 3D Micro/Nano Fabrication and Characterization, with Professor Qiu Min serving as its director. In 2021, the College of Engineering received approval from the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Science and Technology to establish the Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources Research.

Key/Core Laboratories of the School of Engineering, Westlake University; Data Source: Official Website of Westlake University

“A true university is not defined by its grand buildings, but by its great masters.”

All universally recognized world-class universities share two common characteristics: first, they have a faculty of world-class professors; second, they possess a system and policies (i.e., a soft environment) that support these top-tier professors in cultivating talent and conducting cutting-edge scientific research.

Over the course of more than half a year in 2023, Li Bo, Chai Jijie, Guan Kunliang, Dieter A. Wolf, Fu Xiangdong, Ma Qiufu, Yang Jian, Cheng Gang, and othersEight Senior Biologists Join Westlake University in Succession. Currently, Westlake University has assembled a talent pool of more than 200 world-class scientists, among whomOver 90% are directly imported from overseas, with a total of nearly 3,000 faculty, staff, and students.

At least in terms of faculty recruitment, Westlake University has been successful.

Professor Rao Yi of Peking University and Capital Medical University stated on his official WeChat account, “Rao Yi Science,” that both Peking University and Tsinghua University have competed with Westlake University for talent, a rivalry not limited to the life sciences.

From a leadership perspective, as a private university, Westlake University’s management model is identical to that of internationally renowned private universities—the president holds the highest authority.

“Shi Yigong does not advocate the ‘Wu Dalang running a shop’ mentality; no matter how accomplished the president is, the president’s stature must not serve as the ceiling. Under Shi Yigong’s leadership, Westlake University...”Comprehensively Break the Height Restrictions Imposed on University Leaders“Rejecting backward customs that stifle excellence, appointing individuals on merit, and recruiting top talent are the true ways to serve the nation, rather than building one’s own fiefdom and acting as a local autocrat behind closed doors,” Professor Rao Yi stated publicly.

In addition, the development of a supportive soft environment is also a key factor in attracting and retaining high-level talent.

Institutional Framework and Policies for Scientific Research (Soft Environment)

According to the global academic talent recruitment announcement released by Westlake University, Westlake University willBenchmarking against equivalent positions at world-class universities, and provide selected candidates with internationally competitive compensation packages, housing subsidies, and other benefits tailored to their individual circumstances, enabling them to focus on their academic pursuits.

Having recruited top-tier international talent, Westlake University also benchmarks its corresponding positions against those of leading global universities.Provide sufficient start-up research fundingA joke on Weibo quipped: “For junior faculty, in addition to start-up funds, Westlake University guarantees continuous funding support for the next five years (no need to write grant applications at all during this period); for senior faculty, in addition to start-up funds, Westlake University guarantees continuous funding support for the next ten years (no need to write grant applications at all during this period). Furthermore, there is no annual assessment of publication counts, allowing you to devote yourself with stability and peace of mind to tackling world-class challenges that interest you.”

Conduct meaningful research.

Professor Shi Yigong tells every young faculty member and young doctoral supervisor joining the university that there is no pressure to publish papers at Westlake University. Instead, the goal is to produce a coherent and self-contained body of work within one’s field after several years. Although the university has evaluation regulations, in practice, if researchers can demonstrate that they are “keeping a low profile” while dedicating themselves fully to exploring a cutting-edge global research topic, they will certainly be granted an extension of their evaluation period.

For any scientific research,High-Quality Doctoral Students Are the Core ForceWestlake University began by recruiting doctoral students, without restrictions on existing academic qualifications, years since graduation, or age, to cultivate scholars and individuals equipped with the skills to change the world. Currently, the number of doctoral students enrolled at Westlake University has exceeded 600, and they can receive funding from the government, Westlake University, and social sources.

PhD Candidate Funding Sources; data sourced from the official website of Westlake University

As a university that highly values basic research, Westlake University inPlatform Infrastructurehas also made significant efforts by establishing public research service platforms, including the Biomedical Experimental Technology Center, the Laboratory Animal Center, the Advanced Micro/Nano Fabrication and Testing Platform, and the High-Performance Computing Center.These outstanding research platforms and facilities support the development of life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering disciplines at Westlake University.。

Gao Xiaofei, a Distinguished Research Fellow at the School of Life Sciences, has witnessed the rapid advancement of Westlake University. “I returned in the summer of 2017 to establish my laboratory. At that time, the research building was still under renovation, and I had to wear a hard hat upon entry. Now, the laboratory is fully equipped with essential instruments and equipment, and our research is progressing smoothly,” he stated in an interview. At that time, he also collaborated with physicians from Zhejiang Children’s Hospital to explore treatments for a rare pediatric disease—pure red cell aplasia anemia—by attempting drug repurposing to restore erythrocyte regeneration capacity.

Two years later, building on Gao Xiaofei’s scientific research achievements, China’s first red blood cell therapy company—Xihu Biologics—was established.

Westlake University's University-Level Public Service Platform; data sourced from the official website of Westlake University.

In the scientific research system,Administrative SystemIt plays a vital role in organizational management, resource allocation, and incentive mechanisms, thereby maintaining the vitality of the research ecosystem. The administrative system characterized by the separation of academic and administrative functions represents a crucial step in safeguarding the long-term development of life sciences at Westlake University. Adhering to the governance philosophy of “faculty-led scholarship, administration-managed operations, and academic priorities guiding administrative services,” Westlake University’s professional administrative support frees faculty members from bureaucratic burdens. The university’s research platforms ensure the smooth operation of high-level scientific research, while faculty members are responsible for formulating various rules and regulations governing university affairs, which are then implemented by the administrative team and research platforms.

Looking back,Whether it is attitudes, financial flows, platform development, or institutional adjustments, all are designed to serve first-class professorial teams., while a world-class faculty can address challenges on a global scale, continually advancing the frontiers of human knowledge.

In 2022, Tao Liang’s team and colleagues published a research paper online in the journal *Cell*, elucidating the mechanism by which hypervirulent strains of *Clostridioides difficile* cause disease. In the same year, Cai Shang’s group provided the first evidence of unique intracellular bacteria in breast cancer tissues and revealed how these intracellular bacteria facilitate tumor metastasis. In 2023, Wu Jianping’s team discovered the cryo-EM structure of the microtubule doublet complex in the sperm flagella of mice and humans, and identified multiple sperm-specific microtubule-binding proteins...

Relying on a first-class talent pool, cutting-edge scientific achievements, a premier service system, and robust empowerment support, Westlake University has cultivated and incubated a group of high-tech innovative enterprises that master core technologies. These include Westlake Pharmaceuticals, founded by Professor Hongtao Yu; Westlake Omics, established by Professor Tiannan Guo; and Westlake Micro, founded by Professor Liang Tao, among others.

“Westlake University-affiliated” innovative enterprises; data sourced from the official website of Westlake University, VCBeat Orange, and Qichacha.

Benchmarking against world-class universities with a tradition of translating scientific research into practical applications, such as Stanford University, Westlake University is transforming itself into an ideal incubator for research projects, maximizing the value of scientific achievements and bringing them to market. In 2019, less than a year after its official establishment, Westlake University set up the Technology Transfer Office and Westlake University Development Co., Ltd. to promote the commercialization of technological achievements. Professor Wang Tingliang was appointed as the head of the Technology Transfer Office, launching the “Westlake Double Helix” service system.

Westlake University’s Double Helix Service System. Image source: Official website of Westlake University.

“There may be a disconnect in the direct interface between laboratories and the market; university technology transfer offices can provide comprehensive commercialization support to both parties,” Professor Wang Tingliang stated publicly.

Adhering to the translational work philosophy that “earlier intervention, more comprehensive information, and more accurate judgment naturally evolve into more ‘comprehensive’ assistance.”At the inception of research project approval, the Technology Transfer Office led by Wang Tingliang began conducting screening and tracking.In 2019, the Technology Transfer Office of Westlake University engaged in close consultations with nearly 20 team leaders, ultimately facilitating the successful advancement of three key projects as the first batch for commercialization.

According to publicly available information from Westlake University, at the outset of Gao Xiaofei’s research project for Westlake Biopharmaceuticals, the Technology Transfer Office simultaneously arranged services ranging from patent applications and legal consultation to negotiations with investors, thereby accelerating the project’s implementation.

After the project is determined,The Office of Achievement Transformation also serves as the transformation team., providing inventors with end-to-end services across the entire commercialization value chain—from company registration, patent portfolio strategy, and legal advisory to financing roadshows, closing negotiations, and the establishment of project commercialization entities—thereby addressing researchers’ gaps in market operations, policy and regulatory frameworks, and management expertise.

“Researchers should focus solely on their scientific work and need not expend extra energy on figuring out how to establish a company,” Professor Wang Tingliang stated publicly. From the initial conception of ideas by researchers to the provision of commercial support services and the entry of capital, the university provides synchronized planning throughout the entire process.

Many past examples have shown Wang Tingliang and Westlake University that the commercialization of scientific research achievements cannot rely on universities alone; support from the government and capital is indispensable.

It is reported that the Xihu District of Hangzhou has provided two incubation bases, totaling 60,000 square meters of space, to support the development of the life sciences industry at Westlake University, includingWestlake University City Industrialization Base for Scientific Research Achievements (Gallium Valley Park).

“Professors at Westlake University often lead high-quality research projects that exceed the capacity of their individual laboratories. In such cases, we can provide appropriate facilities within the Jiagu Park based on the specific needs of their research. Once these projects are ready for industrialization, we will establish an industrial park within the Westlake University Town. If a project has fully matured and gone public, we can even allocate land for the construction of headquarters buildings to foster a headquarters economy,” said Han Bin, Deputy Director of the Office of the Westlake University Town Management Committee (Hangzhou Yungu Development Center), in an interview. He noted that this approach enables professors’ projects to be implemented across all four stages—from experimentation to incubation, then to industrialization, and finally to the headquarters economy—within the “City of Scientists.”

Like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley in the United States—universities with robust technological capabilities,In 2020, Westlake University entered the venture capital arena by establishing a wholly-owned subsidiary, Westlake University (Hangzhou) Equity Investment Co., Ltd., and obtained the qualification for registration as a fund manager with the Asset Management Association of China (AMAC). This means that Westlake University can raise various types of capital from external sources, establish venture capital or equity investment funds, and directly engage in VC/PE investments.

Why Does Westlake University Encourage Professors to Pursue Technology Transfer?

Professor Xu Tian, Vice President of Westlake University, provided the answer at a conference: “Professors at Westlake University will donate a portion of their company shares to the university, channeling proceeds from technology transfer back to support the institution’s development. Therefore, the university also encourages professors who excel in both basic research and teaching to engage in technology commercialization when they have the capacity to do so.”From university innovation and technology transfer to corporate feedback, Westlake University has established a virtuous cycle of commercialization.

It is worth mentioning that Westlake UniversityProfessors are not permitted to engage in substantive management roles within the company.. On the basis of encouraging the translation of research achievements, clearly define the boundaries of such translation, allowing professors to retain their core identity as researchers and break through in frontier science.

Over the past five years, Westlake University has built a world-class academic team, cultivated a cohort of outstanding students, produced first-rate research outcomes, and incubated a portfolio of innovative enterprises. These achievements have positioned Shi Yigong and Westlake University as a testament to what is possible in this era: demonstrating that private universities in China may well rise to stand alongside global top-tier institutions such as Stanford University, Yale University, and Harvard University.

Ultimately, the success of Westlake University lies in innovation, in translation, and in staying true to its origins. As Professor Shi Yigong stated, “Basic research is the foundation of science; without strong basic research, outstanding technological innovation is impossible.”