Students and staff gather at a registration site at Taizhou University. [Photo/Tide News]

More than 100 students joined the first cohort of the Taizhou University San Bernardino Institute of Technology on Sept 12, as the university welcomed its 2026 freshmen.

Unveiled on June 17, the institute is jointly established by Taizhou University and California State University, San Bernardino. Approved by the Ministry of Education, it offers undergraduate programs in applied chemistry, biological sciences, and environmental ecological engineering.

The institute adopts a "3+1 dual-campus, dual-degree" model, under which students spend three years at Taizhou University and one year at the partner US university. Students who meet graduation and degree requirements can receive an undergraduate graduation certificate and degree certificate from Taizhou University, as well as a degree from the US partner university.

It also uses a dual-mentor system, with US faculty members participating in teaching and research, said Mei Jiao, Party secretary of the institute.