Lingnan College Launches SYSU's First English-Taught International Undergraduate Dual-Degree Program to Cultivate Global Digital Talent

Lingnan College of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) has officially launched the Digital Talent International Undergraduate Dual-Degree Program, SYSU's first English-taught international undergraduate dual-degree program. Developed in collaboration with leading universities in Belt and Road partner countries and other international partner institutions, the program is expected to welcome its first cohort in 2027, with international students nominated by participating partner universities.

Building on Lingnan College's strengths in economics, finance and digital economy, and drawing on the resources of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the program focuses on the Digital Economy major and offers two distinctive tracks: Artificial Intelligence and FinTech. It is designed to provide international students with a structured academic pathway to study in China, gain first-hand insight into the country's digital transformation, and develop the knowledge and capabilities needed for future cross-border cooperation.

Courses will be delivered in English by faculty members from Lingnan College and related disciplines across SYSU. The curriculum integrates economics, finance, computer science and data science, helping students build strong analytical foundations as well as practical digital skills. Students will also participate in company visits, practitioner talks, project-based modules, industry research, innovation projects and Chinese cultural experiences. Through these activities, the program aims to help them understand China's economic development, strengthen their cross-cultural communication skills, and build connections with industries and institutions in China and beyond.

Lingnan College advances the inbound 2+2 dual-degree program through online and in-person discussions with international partner universities.

Beyond Going Global: Bringing Global Talent to China

As international education in China enters a new stage of high-quality development, universities are placing greater emphasis on academic substance, institutional reputation, and meaningful collaboration with international partners. The Digital Talent Program is part of SYSU's broader effort to support the "Study in China" initiative and deepen educational cooperation with Belt and Road partner countries.

The program is designed in response to two major global shifts. First, as Chinese enterprises accelerate their global expansion, there is growing demand for professionals who understand both local markets and China's business environment, and who can communicate effectively across cultures. Second, the rapid development of the global digital economy is creating strong demand for graduates who combine digital literacy with economic, financial and management expertise. By integrating digital economy education with international talent development, the program aims to prepare students to work at the intersection of technology, business and cross-cultural cooperation.

China's rapid progress in the digital economy, together with SYSU's academic strengths in economics, finance and emerging digital fields, provides a strong foundation for this new model of international undergraduate education. The program will allow international students to study China's digital economy from within one of the country's most dynamic innovation regions and to observe how technology, finance, industry and policy interact in the Greater Bay Area.

An Inbound 2+2 Dual-Degree Model

Unlike traditional joint programs that mainly send Chinese students overseas, the Digital Talent Program adopts an inbound 2+2 dual-degree model. Students will complete their first two undergraduate years at their home institutions before coming to SYSU for the final two years of study. During their time at SYSU, they will pursue the Digital Economy major through an English-taught curriculum and participate in academic, practical and cultural learning activities.

Upon fulfilling the graduation and degree requirements of both institutions, students will receive bachelor's degrees from both universities. This model enables international students to maintain close academic links with their home institutions while gaining an in-depth learning experience in China. It also creates a new pathway for partner universities to engage with China's higher education system and the Greater Bay Area's innovation ecosystem.

Five Key Strengths of the Program

The Digital Talent Program features five major strengths.

First, the program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates economics, finance, computer science and data science, enabling students to develop a broad and future-oriented understanding of the digital economy.

Second, its project-based learning modules will allow students to conduct field research and team projects related to China's digital economy and the Greater Bay Area's innovation ecosystem, helping them strengthen practical understanding, problem-solving skills and innovation capabilities.

Third, Lingnan College is working with leading digital economy companies and Chinese enterprises expanding internationally to develop internship and practical training bases. These opportunities will help students connect academic learning with real business settings and better understand the practical needs of industry.

Fourth, admitted students will have priority access to university-level scholarship opportunities, providing financial support for eligible students and enhancing the accessibility of the program.

Fifth, outstanding students will receive additional academic support through dedicated alumni donations. To support the long-term development of the program, Lingnan College has established the Silk Road Digital Talent Fund at SYSU. The fund will provide sustained support for the program and for the academic development of outstanding international students.

A Comprehensive Pathway for International Talent Development

The launch of the Digital Talent Program marks an important milestone in Lingnan College's broader strategy for international talent development in the digital economy.

At the undergraduate level, the College's Chinese-taught Digital Economy program has been selected for the Chinese Government Scholarship Silk Road Program administered by the China Scholarship Council, attracting students from Belt and Road partner countries to pursue full-time undergraduate studies in China. The new English-taught dual-degree program further expands the College's international undergraduate pathways and offers international students an additional route to study digital economy at SYSU.

At the postgraduate level, Lingnan College is also advancing the internationalization of its Master of Digital Economy program, further strengthening its multi-level talent development system in the field of digital economy.

The Next Chapter in Lingnan's Global Education Journey

Looking ahead, Lingnan College will continue to deepen practical cooperation with international partner universities, align talent development with the global needs of industry, and contribute to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a high-level talent hub.

Through the Digital Talent International Undergraduate Dual-Degree Program, Lingnan College aims to bring more outstanding international students to China, help them understand the country's digital transformation, and prepare them to become future connectors between China and the world.