The new phase of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, represented by renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and life science and human health, is transforming the way people live and the course of social development.

China implements an integrated and collaborative approach to accelerate the high-quality tripartite development of education, science and technology, and talent cultivation. How to cultivate scientific and technological leaders who can address global challenges and contribute to future development becomes one of the crucial missions of higher education.

Global Institute of Future Technology (GIFT) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is one of the first 12 institutes of Future Technology established by the Ministry of Education (MoE) of China. GIFT pioneers a comprehensive reform to create an innovative education system that breaks down the boundaries of learning, disciplines, and universities. The goal is to develop a unique academia-industry collaborative education system to cultivate future academic and industrial leaders with strategic and global vision.

GIFT has established two novel interdisciplinary undergraduate majors, namely “Sustainable Energy” and “Health Science and Technology,” which are the first of its kind approved by MoE in China. The curricula set up a student-centered and excellence-oriented talent cultivation system integrating undergraduate, master, and PhD studies. Diverse educational initiatives include academic mentorship for undergraduates to provide all-around guidance; personalized study plan to build an interdisciplinary background; innovative evaluation criteria to stimulate all-around development; in-depth integration among industries, universities, and research institutes to hone the cutting-edge innovation ability; and multi-modal international cooperation to foster future global leaders.

Based on SJTU's strengths in multiple disciplines such as science, engineering, biology, medicine, and management, GIFT has established several research centers focusing on future batteries, future photovoltaics, extreme manufacturing, intelligent vehicles, brain health, sports health, and human digital twins, etc., to embrace future industrial revolution through extensive cross-disciplinary research.

With extensive support from domestic and international leading companies, GIFT actively explores new mechanisms for the technology transfer of scientific discovery, and nurtures leading talents that foster new productive forces for economic and social development.

Since its official approval three years ago, GIFT has made significant progress. GIFT has already recruited over 30 high-level faculty members, 75% of whom graduated from top 100 universities globally. GIFT welcomed the first batch of undergraduate and gradudate students in September 2023. For future growth, GIFT has established a set of phased goals: By 2025, GIFT aims to establish a top-notch faculty team led by renowned international figures, with a size of over 100 faculty members. By 2030, GIFT strives to achieve remarkable results in talent cultivation and produce significant scientific research achievements. By 2035, GIFT hopes to have a steady flow of globally influential talents and continue to produce high-quality disruptive technologies. All these efforts aim to build a globally renowned institute of future technology.

The Chinese name of Global Institute of Future Technology, 溥 (pǔ) 渊 (yuān), is proposed by Dr. Robin Zeng, an outstanding alumnus of SJTU and founder of CATL, which points out our vision and mission. 溥Pu means vastness and 渊Yuan means profoundness, symbolizing our vision: valuing interdisciplinarity while encouraging delving deep into specific fields. The abbreviation of the institute, GIFT, also demonstrates our mission: exploring and nurturing GIFTed talents with GIFTed faculty and staff.

Located in the central area of Minhang Campus, GIFT’s current working space at the East Wing of Yue-Kong Pao Library boasts a picturesque view of Siyuan Lake. GIFT's new building, to be completed in 2026 for 60,000 square meters and a twin building adjacent with CATL (Shanghai) Research Institute, will become a landmark in the ‘Grand Neo Bay’ Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Community in Shanghai.

Join GIFT, become GIFTed talents! We welcome brilliant scholars around the world to co-create the future