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Commitment and Strategies

Duke Kunshan is a world-class liberal arts university based in Kunshan, China, that offers a range of high quality, innovative academic programs for students from around the world. It was established in September 2013 as a U.S.-China partnership between Duke University and Wuhan University.

Duke Kunshan welcomed its first students in August 2014. The university began by offering Duke graduate degrees as well as a Global Learning Semester program for undergraduate students from Duke and top-tier Chinese and international universities.

In August 2018, the university welcomed its first undergraduate degree students. The four-year bachelor’s degree program follows the liberal arts and sciences tradition, with emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and self-exploration.

DKU Commitment
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Dear graduates, families and friends, distinguished guests, and colleagues, good morning! Congratulations, Class of 2024! Today, we gather here to celebrate your graduation from Duke Kunshan University. Let me begin by saying “thank you”. I’d like to thank our graduates for choosing DKU and growing with this young university. Thank you to your families and friends for their support, and to our faculty and staff members for their dedication and hard work. I also express my gratitude to our founding partners, Duke University, Wuhan University, Kunshan City, the DKU Board of Trustees, the DKU Advisory Board, the DKU Education Development Foundation, and our donors and friends. This year, 248 and 155 students are graduating with undergraduate and master’s degrees, respectively. Many of you will pursue further studies at top global universities, while others will work in leading organizations. Well done!
DKU Sustainability Strategy
Below are goals that were initially set by the Campus Sustainability Committee and the Climate Commitment Advisory Council, an advisory committee tasked with developing goals and strategies for the Climate Commitment, will provide updates to these goals in the future.

Education

Duke’s international Master of Environmental Policy (iMEP) program, offered at Duke Kunshan University, is a collaboration between the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University…
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Research

The Environmental Research Center (ERC) at DKU integrates the environment into research and education programs across multiple disciplines, including science, economics, public policy, arts and humanities. The ERC, launched in July 2016…
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Operations

At the end of 2017, a rainwater collection system on campus met 99% of landscape water needs, nearly eliminating the need for an external water supply. 90% of campus water heating is powered by solar panels, and 65% of the food served…
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Engagement

Duke Kunshan University is the first university campus in the country to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) campus program certification. All five campus buildings on campus have received LEED standard certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The academic building and conference center have received LEED Gold certification, while the student apartments, faculty apartments and service buildings have received LEED Silver certification. The design of Duke Kunshan University campus is people-oriented, reflecting the high integration of green building design concepts, advanced scientific and technological facilities and rich water town culture, taking into account both efficiency and aesthetic value.
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Decarbonization Pathways
Exploring strategies, research, and education toward a carbon-neutral future

Duke Kunshan is a world-class liberal arts university based in Kunshan, China, that offers a range of high quality, innovative academic programs for students from around the world. It was established in September 2013 as a U.S.-China partnership between Duke University and Wuhan University.

Duke Kunshan welcomed its first students in August 2014. The university began by offering Duke graduate degrees as well as a Global Learning Semester program for undergraduate students from Duke and top-tier Chinese and international universities.

In August 2018, the university welcomed its first undergraduate degree students. The four-year bachelor’s degree program follows the liberal arts and sciences tradition, with emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and self-exploration.

Gampus Action

Green Campus Buildings

Duke Kunshan University is the first university campus in the country to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) campus program certification. All five campus buildings on campus have received LEED standard certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The academic building and conference center have received LEED Gold certification, while the student apartments, faculty apartments, and service buildings have received LEED Silver certification.

Duke Kunshan University Climate and Sustainability Initiative

On April 23, 2024, Duke Kunshan University (DKU) kicked off its own Climate and Sustainability Initiative to complement the Duke Climate Commitment.