Fuyao University of Science and Technology remains committed to its nonprofit, public welfare mission, and its push for schools and departments to gradually achieve financial self-sufficiency does not mean they are required to pursue profits or engage in market-driven revenue generation, according to the institution's leadership.

Wang Shuguo, president of the university, made the clarification following public discussion over remarks by Cao Dewang, founder of the university and chairman of the Fuyao Glass Industry Group.

In a 2025 interview with Phoenix TV, Cao said each school and department should gradually become self-sustaining through independent accounting, generating income by helping enterprises solve practical problems and commercializing research outcomes.

In a post published on the university's WeChat account on June 17, Wang said, "If you cannot even sustain yourself, it shows you lack real capability."

The post quickly sparked online debate on whether an emphasis on self-sufficiency could turn universities into profit-driven enterprises.

In an interview with The Paper published on June 21, Wang further explained that the university encourages schools and departments to conduct research on real industrial problems and enhance their self-sustainability through the commercialization of research results, rather than by pursuing profits.

"We expect our faculty to ground their research in the country's real needs and address practical industrial challenges," he said.

"Schools and departments are encouraged to strengthen their self-sustainability and internal drive through the commercialization of research results, but this never means they are required to seek profits or operate as market-oriented businesses," Wang added.

Located in Fuzhou, Fujian province, Fuyao University of Science and Technology is a private, nonprofit institution established by entrepreneur and philanthropist Cao Dewang with a 10-billion-yuan ($1.48 billion) donation from the Heren Charitable Foundation.

The university is positioned as a new-type research institution focused on science and engineering, interdisciplinary integration and industrial applications.

Wang said the university was founded to advance scientific research that addresses genuine industrial challenges and translates research achievements into industrial development and social progress.

Cao has repeatedly emphasized that his goal was not to add another institution to China's higher education landscape, but to explore a model rooted in his years of industrial experience — one in which universities face industry, serve practical applications and look to the future.

To bridge the gap between theory and practice, the university is promoting two-way integration between academia and industry. Top industry professionals are invited to serve as enterprise mentors for students, while faculty members are encouraged to participate in real-world industrial projects, Wang said.

He stressed that the university remains firmly committed to its nonprofit, public welfare mission. Cao has repeatedly said that "education is a cause, not an industry" and opposes the entry of capital into education.

Undergraduate tuition is set at 5,460 yuan per year, while accommodation costs 1,200 yuan annually for a double room. The university has also pledged that no student will be denied access to education for financial reasons, Wang said.

He added that the university has sufficient and diversified funding sources, including donations from the Heren Charitable Foundation, annual special allocations from the Fuzhou municipal government, social donations and income from research commercialization.

All revenue is reinvested in faculty development, laboratory construction, talent cultivation and the development of foundational disciplines, he said.