Construction on the Shenzhen Ocean University (Phase I) project, located in Dapeng New District, is ongoing. The project initially began in July 2023, and Phase I is expected to be completed in December 2026, according to the iDapeng WeChat account.

The project, located beside Dapeng Bay, covers an area of about 400,000 square meters, with a total construction area of about 600,000 square meters. Upon completion, it will offer around 8,000 school admissions.

The project is divided into science and education areas and dormitory areas. It includes the construction of new teaching and research facilities, a gymnasium, a library, student dormitories, teachers' dormitories, a deep-sea research center, and an on-campus marine museum. Yang Runhao, head of the construction engineering project for Phase I, said, “At present, 90% of the science and education areas have been completed, while the main structure of the student dormitory is 60% constructed. The overall progress is ahead of schedule.”

Shenzhen Ocean University (Phase I) project is under construction.  iDapeng WeChat account

The entire project, based on the concept of "heart of mountains and seas, research and innovation of cloud circle," integrates the campus with its surroundings to form a cohesive whole. Chen Yongqing, deputy director of the university (Phase I) project, explains that the split-level design maximizes the use of the original terrain to preserve the natural landform and create a green shared campus with an efficient layout. For instance, the library utilizes fair-faced concrete construction technology to avoid quality issues associated with the original process and enhance the overall appearance.

Relying on co-construction units such as Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen Ocean University is committed to building an international, high-level, new-type research-oriented marine university, comparable to world-class institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Shenzhen Ocean University aligns with the needs of the economic industry, scientific and technological innovation, and cultural ecology. It focuses on building three characteristic academic groups, which will enhance the core engine function of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, support the strategy of maritime power, and promote Shenzhen as a global marine center city.

In the near future, Shenzhen Ocean University will gradually implement integrated undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral education programs. With support from SUSTech and other collaborative partners, the university has been cultivating students since 2022, with the number of students expected to reach around 800 by 2024.