Jinan University

What Jinan University does

Jinan University is a public national research university headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, operating under the Chinese Ministry of Education with the state-conferred designation as China's "Number 1 University for Overseas Chinese." Founded in 1906, the institution operates a multi-campus structure spanning Guangzhou (Shipai main campus, Panyu, HuaWen), Zhuhai, and Shenzhen, comprising 23 schools and colleges delivering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional education programs (including AMBA-accredited MBA/EMBA programs). The university serves four primary customer segments: domestic Chinese students, overseas Chinese and Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan students (a heritage segment with over 30,000 alumni in Macau alone), international students from 33+ countries, and working professionals pursuing continuing education.

The institution generates revenue through three primary streams: tuition and fees across academic and professional programs, government funding as a "Double First Class" university, and donations/alumni contributions (including a RMB 50M single donation). Its go-to-market relies on direct student recruitment, international exchange partnerships (Yale, Stanford, Emory, NUS, Lingnan University HK), and Confucius Institute programs (e.g., Rhodes University summer camps). The university's research portfolio spans nanophotonics (Nanophotonics Research Institute, multidimensional optical field multiplexing published in Nano Letters 2025), cancer therapy (Cell publication on Huntington disease knock-in pig model 2018, JNK/ERK signaling research), regenerative medicine, m6A mRNA methylation (Nature 2017), renewable energy (Zhuhai Key Laboratory of New Energy and Power System Innovation), and AI applications including the proprietary "Nine Chapters Q&A" AI teaching assistant. AI and emerging technology capabilities are being formalized through the Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Cross Fusion (est. November 2024). Recent strategic activity includes leadership transition (Xing Feng, CAE academician, appointed President March 2024), infrastructure expansion (Panyu Talent Apartments, 139,628 sqm), and international outreach to Switzerland and Italy (November 2025).

Name

Jinan University

Legal name

Jinan University

Website

https://english.jnu.edu.cn

Company type

Public

Founded year

1906

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Jinan University is a public Chinese research university and "Number 1 University for Overseas Chinese," operating five campuses across Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Shenzhen to deliver undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional education to domestic, overseas Chinese, and international students from 33+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

International & Global Research Universities (Multi-Campus/International Footprint) (EDAHABAI), Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Research universities
• Professional education
• International student programs
• Executive education

Headquarters

HQ city

Guangzhou

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Programs: Revenue from undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs including MBA, EMBA, and executive education.
2. Government Funding: National and provincial government funding for research, development, and educational operations as a Double First Class university.
3. Donations and Alumni Contributions: Alumni donations and contributions including Mr. Liang Zhibin's 50 million RMB donation for new campus construction.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Jinan University is a public research university providing comprehensive higher education across undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional (MBA/EMBA) programs through 23 schools and colleges, delivered across five campuses in Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Shenzhen. The university also offers international student programs, executive/professional education, continuing education (including AI literacy for seniors), affiliated K-12 schools, and study abroad programs, supported by an online learning platform, library services, and specialized research institutes such as the Nanophotonics Research Institute.

Product overview

Jinan University is a comprehensive public university operating a multi-campus structure across Guangzhou (Main Campus, Panyu Campus), Zhuhai, Shenzhen, and HuaWen Campus, serving as China's premier university for overseas Chinese education. The university's academic portfolio includes undergraduate programs, graduate programs (including the first doctoral program in Chinese Studies), international student programs, and executive education through its MBA center. Research infrastructure spans numerous institutes and labs, notably the Nanophotonics Research Institute and key AI/new energy laboratories. The institution also provides continuing education including AI literacy programs for seniors and K-12 education through affiliated schools. All offerings are supported by comprehensive library services and e-learning platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• International College: College specifically serving international students at Jinan University
• Nanophotonics Research Institute
• Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration

Products and services

• Jinan University Undergraduate Programs Comprehensive undergraduate degree programs across diverse disciplines including arts, sciences, engineering, business, medicine, and humanities, offered across multiple campuses. Designed for prospective bachelor's degree students seeking full-time study.
• Jinan University Graduate Programs Master's and doctoral degree programs across multiple academic disciplines, including the first doctoral program in Chinese Studies launched in September 2024. Designed for students pursuing postgraduate research or professional master's degrees.
• Jinan University International Student Programs Programs in English and Chinese language studies for international students, including summer courses, Chinese study programs, and scholarships. International students come from over 33 countries including the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
• Jinan University MBA and Executive Education Professional and executive education including MBA, EMBA, On-Job MBA, and SiMBA programs under the AMBA-accredited School of Management. Designed for working professionals and executives seeking leadership credentials.
• Jinan University Online Learning E-learning platform (study.jnu.edu.cn) and digital study resources for distance education and student support, accessible through the university's digital infrastructure.
• Jinan University Affiliated Primary School and Kindergarten Basic education institutions including affiliated kindergarten and primary school providing K-12 education services, with sports programs, cultural activities, and holistic development initiatives.
• Jinan University AI Lecture Hall for Seniors Continuing education program for elderly citizens covering AI + Caring for Next Generation Education, AI + Health Management, and AI + Smart Life themes, organized through the Elderly Continuing Education College with the Guangdong Smart Education Research Institute.
• Jinan University Study Abroad Programs International exchange programs and study abroad opportunities for enrolled JNU students, including partnerships with universities in Switzerland, Italy, and other countries.

Quantifiable outcome

• First Asian to break 10 seconds in 100-meter race (Su Bingtian, 2015)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Singapore Chinese Chamber for Commerce and Industry (SCCCI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026SCCCI and CCCME jointly launched an investment guide for China-based companies seeking opportunities in Singapore and ASEAN region, covering business environment information on intellectual property, employment, and wealth planning.
• OCBC BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026SCCCI, CCCME, and OCBC signed memorandum of understanding with OCBC highlighting support for Chinese enterprises expanding into ASEAN sectors such as renewable energy and digital infrastructure.
• Bangkok BankmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026One of four additional agreements signed at the investment guide launch conference for supporting China-ASEAN business relations.
• Asia Pacific International Arbitration ChambermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Partnership agreement signed at the SCCCI investment guide launch conference for dispute resolution services.
• Swiss and Italian UniversitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025Delegation from Jinan University led by Vice President Hong An conducted working visits to Switzerland and Italy to enhance international cooperation.
• Lingnan University Business School (Hong Kong)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Memorandum of cooperation signed in November 2022 establishing Inclusive Finance and Digital Economy Research Center. Both schools exploring cooperation in doctoral exchange programs, enrollment of scientific master's students, and joint curriculum development.
• Rhodes University (South Africa)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2011Hosted Confucius Institute Summer Camp from Rhodes University, South Africa, providing 2-week Chinese culture immersion program for international students.
• National University of SingaporemajorTechnology or IntegrationProfessor Chengwei Qiu from National University of Singapore collaborated with JNU professors on multidimensional optical field multiplexing research published in Nano Letters.
• Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research with Prof. Liangxue Lai's team on Huntington's disease knock-in pig model published in Cell.
• Emory UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Shihua Li's team at Emory University on Huntington's disease research.
• Yale UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Richard A. Flavell, sterling professor of Immunobiology at Yale University and fellow of the Royal Society, co-authored m6A mRNA methylation research published in Nature.
• Stanford UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Howard Y. Chang from Stanford University involved in m6A mRNA methylation research published in Nature.
• Abant Izzet Baysal University (Turkey)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresident of Abant Izzet Baysal University visited JNU for academic cooperation discussions.
• Malaysian Ministry of Plantation and Primary IndustriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeputy Minister Chen Hongjian led delegation to Jinan University to strengthen cooperation in science and talent development.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Xiamen University (厦门大学):
• South China University of Technology (华南理工大学):
• Sun Yat-sen University (中山大学):
• Huaqiao University (华侨大学):
• East China Normal University (华东师范大学):

Regional players

• South China Normal University (华南师范大学):
• Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (广东外语外贸大学):
• Shantou University (汕头大学):
• Lingnan University (岭南大学):

Peers

• Huazhong University of Science and Technology (华中科技大学):

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/jnu1906
• Facebookfacebook.com/jnu1906
• Instagraminstagram.com/jnu1906
• TikToktiktok.com/@jnu1906

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jinan University