Zhang Zhidong
In a memorial to the imperial court, Zhang Zhidong stated his motivations for establishing Guangya Academy ( / , ). He wrote on the necessity of favoring scholarship and creating an educated social atmosphere in Liangguang. He also cited inadequate capacities of several existing academies for taking in students. He was granted permission to purchase () of land in northwest Guangzhou (known as Canton at that time) for the academy. Construction started on and completed a year later at a cost of of silver. The academy opened on with an annual budget of of silver. The inaugural head of the academy was Liang Dingfen, a scholar whom Zhang Zhidong frequently consulted with education issues.