Consider G.T. College as more than just a school. It is an institute preparing students for global challenges. It has offered meaningful education through the Georgia Tech Shenzhen Institute GTSI. GTSI was an accredited instructional site in Shenzhen China. It has been operating since 2014.
Georgia Tech decided to discontinue its participation in GTSI after thorough evaluation. The institute sought approval from its accreditor. It wanted to end its degree programs in Shenzhen.
In December 2016 Georgia Tech signed an agreement. Tianjin University and the Shenzhen Municipal Government were also part of it. It aimed to establish GTSI in Shenzhen. Shenzhen is widely known as China’s Silicon Valley.
In December 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce added Tianjin University to its Entity List. This list includes foreign organizations deemed a national security concern.
Given Georgia Tech’s significant role in national security it took immediate action. It began a comprehensive review. It assessed all its activities and partnerships in China. Georgia Tech decided not to launch a planned Ph.D. program. The number of GTSI students was capped. It was set at 10% of the original intent.
Tianjin University remains on the Entity List to date. This made Georgia Tech’s involvement with Tianjin University and GTSI untenable. Steven McLaughlin is the provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. He stated that as a vital driver of American innovation they are proud. They provided global experiences and education to students. They see them as the next generation of leaders. He said that ending their many years of successful educational development initiatives was difficult. They granted Georgia Tech degrees in the region.
The approximately 300 admitted students are currently in degree programs at GTSI. They will have the opportunity to fulfill their degree requirements. Georgia Tech remains committed. It wants to provide meaningful global experiences for its students. This happens through various study-abroad programs and international experiences. Shenzhen is a city of global prominence in technology manufacturing and business.
McLaughlin said that connecting globally remains one of their core values. Students gain global experience during their time at Georgia Tech. They develop critical problem-solving skills. These skills are essential in today’s workforce. He said they look forward to expanding the international experiences available to their students. G.T. College shapes global leaders.