The Ministry of Education has officially approved the establishment of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), the third cooperatively run higher education institution between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.

Operated by Guangzhou University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the HKUST (GZ) combines quality education from both sides, and explores cutting-edge cross-disciplinary academic structures and innovative educational modes, the ministry said in a release on Tuesday.

It will push for higher education reform, promote education integration between the mainland and Hong Kong, and contribute to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The university will enroll undergraduate students eligible for bachelor degrees from HKUST (GZ) and HKUST, as well as postgraduate students for master's and PhD degrees from HKUST.

Currently, it has three undergraduate majors, artificial intelligence, data science and big data technology, and 15 postgraduate majors including advanced materials, intelligent transportation and microelectronics.

The first batch of students are expected in September, according to the university's website.

Located in Guangzhou's Nansha district, the 1.1-sq-km campus is adjacent to Qingsheng station, a stop on the high-speed Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link. It takes just 30 minutes from there to Hong Kong West Kowloon railway station.

The ministry previously approved the establishment of the Beijing Normal University Hong Kong Baptist University United International College in 2005 and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen in 2014. It also recently gave preparatory approval to the City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan), which will apply for official approval for establishment once preparations are completed.