Shenzhen University (SZU) was established in 1983 with the approval of the Ministry of Education. The central government, the Ministry of Education and the local government attached great importance to university construction in the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. Peking University assisted SZU in building its Chinese and foreign language disciplines. Tsinghua University assisted SZU in building its electronics and architecture disciplines. The Renmin University of China assisted SZU in building its economics and law disciplines. A large number of renowned scholars gathered at SZU. At the beginning of its establishment, SZU was determined to reform its university management system. SZU vigorously explored the scholarship and credit systems as well as work-study programs. SZU was the first in China to remove the responsibility of finding jobs for its graduates as well as to implement a two-way selection system. SZU also introduced the faculty employment system and the reform of socialized management for the logistics department, which aroused a strong response across the country.

Since its establishment 37 years ago, SZU has developed rapidly following the reform of the special economic zone. Adhering to the motto of “self-reliance, self-discipline and self-improvement”, SZU has formed its characteristics as an experimental university that serves as a window to the special economic zone. SZU has developed a complete talent training system covering from bachelor's and master's degrees to doctoral degrees as well as multi-level scientific research and social service systems. It has become a comprehensive university with a complete range of disciplines, well-equipped facilities, excellent faculty members and standardized management. SZU is a national cultural quality education base for university students and a national model campus. To promote the development of substance in higher education, SZU has formulated the Outline of Cultural Innovation and Development of Shenzhen University. SZU has established the Rao Zongyi Cultural Research Institute and the Liu Yuyi Art Institute to develop a strong cultural consciousness and cultural confidence. SZU will then be able to build a first-class university culture with Chinese characteristics in a socialist special economic zone.

SZU actively promotes talent training, research cooperation, faculty building and cultural exchange at the international level. It has now established ties with 308 overseas universities and conducted international cooperation activities such as student exchange, teacher training and joint school operation to improve the quality and level of international exchange comprehensively.

Based in Shenzhen, SZU will embrace the world by relying on the economic and social development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. SZU will cultivate high-quality innovative and entrepreneurial talents by adhering to reform and innovation. SZU will adhere to cultural leadership and strengthen innovation-driven development to achieve high-quality development. SZU will strive to build itself into a satisfactory high-level university in the special economic zone in the new era.