20 Years of Excellence: How BNBU Redefined Liberal Arts Education in China

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On November 18, 2025, thousands of guests and alumni met on the Zhuhai campus. They were there to celebrate a big milestone. Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) is now 20 years old.

What started in 2005 as a small partnership has grown into a major education hub. Today, it is ranked #1 among all Sino-Foreign Cooperative Universities in China.

A Leader in Global Education

BNBU is special in China. It connects the education style of mainland China with Hong Kong.

Over the last 20 years, the university has trained more than 20,000 graduates. These students have gone on to study at top schools like Cornell University, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Hong Kong.

In fact, the numbers are very strong. More than 72% of recent graduates continue to master’s degrees. Out of those students, over 74% get into the top 100 universities in the world.

The university recently rebranded from UIC to BNBU. This new name shows its core values. It stands for connecting people, linking cultures, and promoting curiosity.

Top Rankings and World Class Science

The 20th anniversary brought great news. In the 2025 CUAA rankings, BNBU took the top spot. It is now the number one joint-venture university in the country.

But it is not just about the school ranking. The science programs are also getting recognition.

In the 2025 ShanghaiRanking, the Food Science and Technology program reached the top 1% of Agricultural Sciences in the world. This shows that BNBU is becoming a leader in research and hard sciences, not just liberal arts.

Big Names and Big Ideas

The celebration lasted for three days. The campus in Zhuhai was full of energy.

Important guests came to speak to the students. This included five Nobel Prize winners. One of them was Joachim Frank, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. They discussed the future of science and AI.

The BNBU 20th Anniversary Roundtable Forum has brought together five distinguished scholars

Their advice to students was simple but powerful. One scholar said you should study what you truly love. He explained that we cannot predict what skills will be useful in ten years, so passion is the most important thing.

The celebration also included:

  • A meeting with leaders from the Ministry of Education.
  • A forum with experts from nearly 30 universities.
  • Performances by students and alumni.
  • Light shows at the Canton Tower in Guangzhou and the Grand Theater in Zhuhai

To mark the event, the two parent universities planted two special trees on campus. This shows their strong friendship and plans for the future.

What Students Say About BNBU

For the 2025 intake, BNBU welcomed over 100 international students. They came from countries like Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, and the UK.

Why do they choose BNBU? It is often because of the English environment and the friendly community.

Andrea from the Philippines

Andrea was impressed by how kind everyone was. She enjoys the teaching style because it encourages her to think for herself and explore new ideas.

Alesia from Ukraine

Alesia loves the activities outside the classroom. The school organizes events to help international students learn about Chinese traditions. She uses these chances to see China from many different angles.

Sieun Lim from South Korea

Sieun says the year has been full of good memories. “As a foreign student, I think BNBU is one of the best places to study Chinese culture and language,” she says.

She mentions that the school offers Chinese classes specifically for international students. She also feels very welcome by the local Chinese students. “I personally gained special memories and friendships this year. I am very grateful that I got a chance to study in BNBU.”

Read more inspiring stories from BNBU students here.

Looking to the Future

President Chen Zhi spoke about the future in his report. He said that even though the name changed from UIC to BNBU, the goal is the same. The school will always focus on quality education and responsibility to society.

“We will continue to use new technologies and build global partnerships,” said Chen.

For international students, BNBU offers a rare chance. You can earn a degree from Hong Kong Baptist University while living in the fast-growing Greater Bay Area of China.

The university now has 30 undergraduate programs. These cover Business, Culture, Social Sciences, and Science and Technology.

BNBU Campus

Are you ready to start your journey at BNBU?

Learn more about BNBU programs and apply today on China Admissions.

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Angel Tolentino
Angel Tolentino
Angel is from the Philippines and is responsible for a wide range of tasks at China Admissions to help students achieve their dreams. She is focused on boosting the company's growth presence, writing articles, and assisting with applicant screening.
Angel Tolentino
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