The second list of universities and disciplines included in the "double world-class" project was released by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, as well as the National Development and Reform Commission on Feb 14.

The "double world-class" project, through which China aims to elevate domestic universities and disciplines to world-class status, is a key project in the strategy of bolstering China's higher education levels. It is of great significance to supporting the innovation-driven development strategy, as well as bolstering the country's high-quality economic and social development.

Campus view of South China University of Technology. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

A total of eight universities from Guangdong province made the list, of which four are from Tianhe district. They are South China University of Technology, Jinan University, South China Normal University, as well as South China Agricultural University.

Founded in 1952, South China University of Technology is a comprehensive research university. By June 2020, its 10 disciplines, including engineering science and material science, entered the top 1 percent in the global rankings set by the Essential Science Indicators, also known as ESI.

Gate of Jinan University. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

Pharmaceutical science is a highlight of Jinan University, which has made outstanding achievements in the R&D and application of innovative drugs. It has 13 disciplines enter the top 1 percent of the ESI global rankings.

South China Normal University boasts scientific research platforms like the national green optoelectronics international joint research center and the key laboratory of laser life sciences under the Ministry of Education. It ranked 67th on the 2020 Chinese university ranking for soft sciences and 76th in the top 100 universities in China in 2020.