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Nanjing University (NJU; ) is a national
public In public relations and communication science, publics are groups of individual people, and the public (a.k.a. the general public) is the totality of such groupings. This is a different concept to the sociological concept of the ''Öffentlichk ...
research university A research university or a research-intensive university is a university that is committed to research as a central part of its mission. They are the most important sites at which knowledge production occurs, along with "intergenerational kn ...
in
Nanjing Nanjing (; , Mandarin pronunciation: ), alternately romanized as Nanking, is the capital of Jiangsu province of the People's Republic of China. It is a sub-provincial city, a megacity, and the second largest city in the East China region. T ...
,
Jiangsu Jiangsu (; ; pinyin: Jiāngsū, alternatively romanized as Kiangsu or Chiangsu) is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. It is one of the leading provinces in finance, education, technology, and tourism, with its ca ...
. It is a member of C9 League and a Class A Double First Class University designated by the Chinese central government. NJU has two main campuses: the Xianlin campus in the northeast of Nanjing, and the Gulou campus in the city center of
Nanjing Nanjing (; , Mandarin pronunciation: ), alternately romanized as Nanking, is the capital of Jiangsu province of the People's Republic of China. It is a sub-provincial city, a megacity, and the second largest city in the East China region. T ...
. Established in 1902 as Sanjiang Normal School, Nanjing University underwent a number of name changes, such as Nanjing Higher Normal School, National Southeastern University and National Central University, until it was renamed Nanjing University in 1950. It merged with the University of Nanking in 1952. NJU is perennially ranked one of the best research universities in China, and one of the most selective universities in the nation. As of 2022, Nanjing University ranked 7th in China and 95th globally by
Times Higher Education World University Rankings The ''Times Higher Education World University Rankings'' (often referred to as the THE Rankings) is an annual publication of university rankings by the ''Times Higher Education'' (THE) magazine. The publisher had collaborated with Quacquarelli ...
. Regarding scientific research output, the Nature Index Annual Table 2022 ranked Nanjing University the No.5 university in China and the Asia Pacific region, and 8th in the world among global universities.


History


Late Qing and Republic of China

In 1902, Sanjiang Normal College () under the new educational system, using Japanese modern higher institutions of learning as references, was beginning to be established to replace the traditional Chinese school Nanking Academy, and was opened in the next year, with campus constructed south to Qintian Mountain. The name was changed to Liangjiang Normal College () in 1906, and the new president
Li Ruiqing Li Ruiqing (李瑞清; 1867–1920), was a Chinese artist, calligrapher and educator. He is also known by the style name Meian (). He was a pioneering influential educator in China's modern history, the founder of China's modern art education. L ...
() established the first faculty of modern art in China. In 1915 after the Republic of China replaced Qing dynasty, the Nanking Higher Normal School () was founded to replace Liangjiang Higher Normal School which was closed three years before due to
Xinhai Revolution The 1911 Revolution, also known as the Xinhai Revolution or Hsinhai Revolution, ended China's last imperial dynasty, the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and led to the establishment of the Republic of China. The revolution was the culmination of a ...
, Jiang Qian () was appointed as the president.Jiang Qian was appointed as the president of Nanking Higher Normal School in July 1914, to establish the school in the campus of the closed Liangjiang Higher Normal School, and the charger of keeping of Liangjiang Higher Normal School became a member of the preparatory committee of Nanking Higher Normal School. Nanking Higher Normal School opened in September 1915. The school established the China's first faculty of modern gymnastics (
physical education Physical education, often abbreviated to Phys Ed. or P.E., is a subject taught in schools around the world. It is usually taught during primary and secondary education, and encourages psychomotor learning by using a play and movement explorat ...
) in 1916. In 1920 the school consisted of five colleges: Liberal Arts, Agriculture, Engineering, Commerce and Education. The "
China Science Society The Science Society of China (, 1915-1960) was a major science organization in the modern history of China. It was initiated by Chinese students at Cornell University in 1914, including P.C. King, H. C. Zen, Zhou Ren, Hsingfo Yang and later re ...
" (), a major science organization in the modern history of China, founded its headquarter in the school in 1918. Its members established " Academia Sinica" () which was later moved to Taiwan and known as the "
Chinese Academy of Sciences The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); ), known by Academia Sinica in English until the 1980s, is the national academy of the People's Republic of China for natural sciences. It has historical origins in the Academia Sinica during the Republi ...
" () in mainland China. Numerous Chinese modern science pioneers, most of whom studied in America and some European countries such as Britain, France, and Germany, converged there to found many fields of science in China. It became the Chinese cradle of modern science. Among 81 academicians of " Academia Sinica" elected for the first time in 1948, five entered or graduated from the university in 1920. More than half of the leading Chinese scientists whose works were published in scientific journals in the early period of Chinese modern science were graduates or academics of Nanjing University.
Kuo Ping-wen Kuo Ping-Wen or Guo Bingwen (; 1880–1969), courtesy name Hongsheng (鴻聲), was an influential Chinese educator. Biography Kuo was born in Shanghai, Jiangsu province, and his father was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He attended Lowri ...
(Guo Bingwen, ), an influential university president, was appointed in 1919 after Jiang Qian. The school meeting passed ''The Audit Law for Women Students'' () on December 7, 1919, as result of efforts of the educationist
T'ao Hsing-chih Tao Xingzhi (; October 18, 1891 – July 25, 1946), was a renowned Chinese educator and reformer in the Republic of China mainland era. He studied at Teachers College, Columbia University and returned to China to champion progressive education. ...
(Tao Xingzhi, ), as well as the president Guo Bingwen, and the professors including Liu Boming (),
Luh Chih-wei Lu Zhiwei (; 6 February 1894 – 21 November 1970), also known as C. W. Luh, was an influential Chinese psychologist and linguist from Wuxing, Zhejiang. He was also an important figure in Chinese poetry, both for his critical ideas and as a poe ...
(Lu Zhiwei, ),
Yang Hsingfo Yang Xingfo, also spelt Yang Hsingfo (楊杏佛) and otherwise known as Yang Chu'en (楊銓)(Born May 4, 1893, Zhangshu, Jiangxi - June 18, 1933 French Concession, Shanghai) was a Chinese management scholar and activist. He was professor at Nati ...
(Yang Xingfo, ), etc., and then decided to formally recruit female students. The school became the first higher learning institution in China to recruit coeducational students. It enrolled eight women students in the first year 1920, and in addition, more than 50 female auditing students were admitted. In 1921 the National Southeastern University () was founded, and in 1923 Nanking Higher Normal School was merged into it. In the autumn of 1921, the Faculty of Business established in 1917 was moved to
Shanghai Shanghai (; , , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ) is one of the four direct-administered municipalities of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The city is located on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the Huangpu River flowin ...
to establish the first business school conferring degrees in China. The university consisted of five colleges (or schools) at the time: Liberal Arts (including departments of Chinese literature, foreign literature, history, philosophy, psychology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geoscience, and the Department of Politics, Law and Economics), Education, Agriculture, Engineering, and Commerce (or Business, including departments of general commerce, business administration, accounting, finance, economics, international trade, etc.), and soon later the College of Liberal Arts was divided to be College of Humanities and College of Sciences. The earliest modern scientific research laboratories and groups in China were established at the university. It integrated teaching and research, with status of university's independence and academic freedom, and was regarded as the earliest Chinese modern university. The university along with its affiliated primary school and middle school served as a pioneer and model which laid the foundations for the establishment of modern educational system (, Renhsü Hsüehchih, 1922) in China, and in addition, its experimental kindergarten (Gulou Kindergarten) founded in 1923 was later also adopted as the model for Chinese kindergartens (Kindergarten Courses Standards by Ministration of Education, 1932), including its teaching system, teaching materials, teaching methods and teaching tools. In October 1921, "Hsuehheng Society" (or Xueheng Society, ) was founded in the university which was the focus of the "Hsuehheng School" included the scholars
Liu Yizheng Liu Yizheng (; 1880–1956) was a Chinese historian, calligrapher, librarian, cultural scholar, educator, and academic leader. He is known for his personal charisma, spirit and eruditeness. In modern Chinese academic field, it is said that the num ...
(), Liu Boming (劉伯明), Mei Guangdi (),
Wu Mi Wu Mi () (August 20, 1894 – January 17, 1978) (once using the name Wu Yuheng () was one of the founders of Chinese comparative literature, a critic, redologist (one who studies the Chinese classic book ''Dream of the Red Chamber''), educ ...
() and
Hu Hsien-Hsu Hu Xiansu or Hu Hsien-Hsu (, 24 May 1894 – 16 July 1968), was a Chinese botanist and an influential traditional scholar of his time. He was a founder of plant taxonomy in China and a pioneer of modern botany research in the country. Education a ...
(Hu Xiansu, ). They reinvigorated Confucian culture and
humanism Humanism is a philosophy, philosophical stance that emphasizes the individual and social potential and Agency (philosophy), agency of Human, human beings. It considers human beings the starting point for serious moral and philosophical in ...
and published the monthly " Critical Review" (Xueheng, in Chinese) in January 1922. It enabled Nanjing University to become a center of Confucian thought and humanistic scholarship. During this period, Nanjing University was known as the foremost "Oriental Education Centre" and recognized as an academic and cultural exchange centre for east and west. Many scholars visited and instructed there, including the American educationist
Paul Monroe Paul Monroe, Ph.D., LL.D. (1869–1947) was an American educator. Biography He was born at North Madison, Indiana. He graduated at Franklin College, Franklin, Indiana in 1890, studied at the University of Heidelberg and took his Ph.D. from the ...
, W. H. Kilpatrick, E. L. Thorndike, philosopher John Dewey, British philosopher
Bertrand Russell Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, (18 May 1872 – 2 February 1970) was a British mathematician, philosopher, logician, and public intellectual. He had a considerable influence on mathematics, logic, set theory, linguistics, ...
, German philosopher
Hans Driesch Hans Adolf Eduard Driesch (28 October 1867 – 17 April 1941) was a German biologist and philosopher from Bad Kreuznach. He is most noted for his early experimental work in embryology and for his neo-vitalist philosophy of entelechy. He has also ...
and the
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
n (also
Bengal Bengal ( ; bn, বাংলা/বঙ্গ, translit=Bānglā/Bôngô, ) is a geopolitical, cultural and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal, predom ...
i) poet
Rabindranath Tagore Rabindranath Tagore (; bn, রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুর; 7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941) was a Bengali polymath who worked as a poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter. He resh ...
. The university became the capital national university after Nanking was made the capital by Nationalist Government, initially renamed National Dyisyi Chungshan University (or called National Nanking Chungshan University) in June 1927 when National Southeastern University merged eight public schools in Jiangsu province, and was renamed Jiangsu University in February 1928, and in May 1928, it was renamed National Central University (). At the time there were eight colleges (or schools): Humanity, Social Science, Natural Science, Engineering, Education, Commerce, Agriculture, and Medicine. The College of Commerce moved to Shanghai in 1921 and College of Medicine established in Shanghai in 1927 were split from the university in 1932.The university's commerce college became National Shanghai Commerce College and then Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and medical college became National Shanghai Medical College and then Shanghai Medical University which later merged with
Fudan University Fudan University () is a national public research university in Shanghai, China. Fudan is a member of the C9 League, Project 985, Project 211, and the Double First Class University identified by the Ministry of Education of China. It is als ...
.
In 1935 College of Medicine was again established, in Nanjing. During the Anti-Japanese War between 1937 and 1945, the university moved to Chongqing, while the College of Medicine and Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine of College of Agriculture moved to
Chengdu Chengdu (, ; simplified Chinese: 成都; pinyin: ''Chéngdū''; Sichuanese pronunciation: , Standard Chinese pronunciation: ), alternatively romanized as Chengtu, is a sub-provincial city which serves as the capital of the Chinese pro ...
. The Chinese Association of Natural Science () was originated at the university in 1927 and adopted the name next year, which was the second largest scientific organization in China in 1949, after China Science Society. China Association of Scientific Workers () was founded in the university in 1944.China Association of Scientific Workers was initiated by China Science Society along with Chinese Association of Natural Science and other specialized associations including Chinese Agricultural Association and China Engineering Society in 1944 in the Republic of China. China Association of Scientific Workers, together with corresponding associations of other states including British Association of Scientific Workers, founded World Federation of Scientific Workers in
London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
in 1946 after World War II.
China Science Society and the associations were merged to be the China Association for Science and Technology () in 1958 in
Beijing } Beijing ( ; ; ), alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the center of power and development of the country. Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city, with over 21 ...
. The Natural Science Forum was initiated by the university faculties in 1939, which was later renamed Jiusan Forum (Sept. 3rd Forum) and became Jiusan Society in 1945, an organization for intellectual groups in China. In the united college entrance examinations beginning in 1937, about two-thirds of students put the university as the first choice. It became the first Chinese university enrolling blind college student, when enrolled Luo Fuxin () in 1942.


People's Republic of China

In 1949, during the late time of
Chinese Civil War The Chinese Civil War was fought between the Kuomintang-led government of the Republic of China and forces of the Chinese Communist Party, continuing intermittently since 1 August 1927 until 7 December 1949 with a Communist victory on m ...
, the central government of the Republic of China retreated from
Nanking Nanjing (; , Mandarin pronunciation: ), alternately romanized as Nanking, is the capital of Jiangsu province of the People's Republic of China. It is a sub-provincial city, a megacity, and the second largest city in the East China region. T ...
and the National Central University was renamed National Nanking University (National Nanjing University, ) after Nanking was controlled by CPC army, before the establishment of
People's Republic of China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
. In 1952, many colleges and departments, mainly colleges of education (or teacher, normal, including art and physical education departments), engineering, agriculture, and medicine, were split from Nanjing University, and many new independent schools were formed, including
Nanjing Normal University Nanjing Normal University (NNU or NJNU; ) is a public research university in Nanjing, China. Founded in 1902 as Sanjiang Normal School, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious higher normal schools in China, and has become a research-intens ...
, Nanjing Institute of Technology which was located at former Nanjing University site and later renamed
Southeast University Southeast University (SEU, ) is a public research university located in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. It was formed from one of the oldest universities and the first coeducational university in China, and designated as a member of the Double First C ...
, etc.The split schools and departments of Nanjing University formed independent schools in 1952 include today's
Nanjing Normal University Nanjing Normal University (NNU or NJNU; ) is a public research university in Nanjing, China. Founded in 1902 as Sanjiang Normal School, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious higher normal schools in China, and has become a research-intens ...
,
Southeast University Southeast University (SEU, ) is a public research university located in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. It was formed from one of the oldest universities and the first coeducational university in China, and designated as a member of the Double First C ...
,
Hohai University Hohai University (HHU; ) is a public research university in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. It is under the direct administration of the Ministry of Education of China, and previously administered by the Ministry of Water Resources from 1958 to 2000 ...
, Nanjing Agricultural University,
Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing Forestry University(NFU or NJFU, . Chinese abbr. 南林大 or 南林) is an institution of higher learning in Nanjing, China. It is jointly run and administered by central government of Jiangsu Provincial Government. It is a Chinese state ...
, etc., and the schools share the source and were independently established after that time include the Fourth Military Medical University,
Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST; ), colloquially Nan Xin Da () is an elite Chinese state Double First Class University Plan university approved by the Ministry of Education of China, located in northern part of N ...
,
Nanjing University of Technology Nanjing Tech University (NJTech; ), colloquially known as Nan Gong (or Nangong, 南工), is a university located in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. It is located 300 km from Shanghai. NJTech was part of the first group of universities ap ...
, Jiangsu University, Jiangnan University,
Changzhou University Changzhou ( Changzhounese: ''Zaon Tsei'', ) is a prefecture-level city in southern Jiangsu province, China. It was previously known as Yanling, Lanling and Jinling. Located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, Changzhou borders the provin ...
, etc..
At the same time, University of Nanking (), a private university established in 1888 and sponsored by American churches, was merged into Nanjing University (), which lost its "national" appellation in 1950 to reflect the reality that all universities in the PRC would be public, and Nanjing University moved campus to the site of University of Nanking where was west to Gulou Mountain and was also once the site of imperial Nanjing University in ancient times. A separate
National Central University National Central University (NCU, ; Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: ''Kwet-li̍p Chung-yong Thài-ho̍k'', Wade–Giles: ''Kuo2 Li4 Chung Yang Ta4 Hsüeh2'' or ''中大'', ''Chung-ta'') is a public research university with long-standing traditions based in Taiw ...
was reinstated in
Taiwan Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the nort ...
by its old alumni association in 1962. During the period of communist society including the period of Proletarian Cultural Revolution, the school suffered heavily. In 1976, Nanjing University faculty members and students launched Anti
Cultural Revolution The Cultural Revolution, formally known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, was a sociopolitical movement in the People's Republic of China (PRC) launched by Mao Zedong in 1966, and lasting until his death in 1976. Its stated goa ...
Force Movement which was called " Nanjing Incident" by the authorities of the time, spreading countrywide. In 1978, Hu Fuming, a faculty member of Nanjing University in philosophy, wrote the historic article entitled "Practice is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth", and after being published it led to the nationwide " Debate on Standards for Judging the Truth", and thus in certain degree liberated thought and promoted the ending of Cultural Revolution and the coming of reform era.


After the Reform and new development

Many faculties have been reestablished or newly founded since the Reform after 1978, e.g., law reestablished in 1981, medical school in 1987, environmental department newly founded in 1984. Some departments were divided into two or more departments, e.g., the Chinese language and literature department divided into departments of language & linguistics, literature, philology and drama arts, or some new faculties came out of older faculties, e.g., computer came out of mathematics, urban planning came out of geography, in many case formed integratively, i.e., formed based on parts of two or more faculties, e.g., parts of faculties of physics and chemistry integratively formed material faculty. In around 1990 the university consisted of schools (colleges) of Humanities, Sciences, Technological Sciences, Medicine, Business, etc.. Then many departments became schools, e.g., mathematics, physics, chemistry, or grouped into new schools, e.g., architecture and urban planning. The size of university significantly expanded during the years. In 2009, Xianlin Campus opened to undergraduates, replacing Pukou Campus which was in use since 1993, and Pukou Campus became the campus of NJU Jinling College, an independent private college directed by NJU. The Xianlin campus now is a main campus along with Gulou campus.


Faculties

More than 1500 years ago, ancient University of Nanjing founded the earliest faculties of literature, history, etc.. In modern times, Nanjing University established Chinese first faculties of art, gymnastics, biology, psychology, business management, etc.. Its faculties, departments and schools have been changed and evolved timely. For example, in 1921, the university consisted of 5 schools: liberal arts, education, agriculture, engineering and business, in 1928 the school of liberal arts had become three schools, and the university consisted of 8 schools: humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, education, agriculture, engineering, business and medicine, and now, many former departments of humanities, natural sciences and social sciences have become schools. The system of academic degree or diploma has also been changed. In the early years of ROC the university adopted the system similar to western especially American universities and began to award bachelor's degree. The university founded China's first modern laboratories in physics, chemistry, etc.. In 1922, the university professors founded The Biology Research Institute of Science Society of China, the first modern scientific research institute in China, integrated with the university's biology department. With the aid of Rockefeller Foundation, Science Centre was constructed in 1924 and completed three years later. In 1926 the university passed The General Regulation of Graduate Institute. China's first doctor's degree was awarded by the school of medicine of the university in 1931. Soon the educational system was changed. In the early 1980s after a period of transformation, universities in mainland China resumed to award doctor's degrees, and graduate and undergraduate education were integrated into departments and schools. Nanjing University is the first in mainland China to award doctor's degrees in such fields as Chinese studies, world history, computer science. It is distinguished in many fields including Chinese Language and Literature, and natural sciences. Its faculty, including part-time faculty, includes more than twenty Nobel Laureates engaged in teaching. The university is a
Double First Class University Plan The World First Class University and First Class Academic Discipline Construction (), together known as Double First Class (), is a tertiary education development initiative designed by the People's Republic of China central government in 2015 ...
university in 15 academic disciplines.


Schools and departments

Current schools and departments *
School of Liberal Arts A school is an educational institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is sometimes compulso ...
(School of Literature, or College of Literature) ** Chinese Language and Linguistics; Literature; Philology; Drama Arts * School of History ** Chinese History; World History; Archaeology * Department of Philosophy; Religion
School of Foreign Studies
** English; Russian; Japanese; French; German; Spanish; Korean; International Business * School of Government ** Politics; Government Administration; Labor, Personnel and Social Security; Diplomacy and International Affairs * School of Law * School of Social and Behavioral Sciences ** Sociology; Social Work and Social Policy; Psychology; Anthropology (institute) * School of Business (NUBS) ** School of Management: Business Administration; Human Resource; Accounting; Marketing & Electronic Commerce ** School of Economics: Economics; Industrial Economics; International Economics & Trading; Finance * Department of Information Management
School of Journalism and Communication
* Department of Mathematics * School of Physics ** Physics; Modern Physics; Photoelectricity Science; Acoustic Science and Engineering * School of Astronomy and Space Science ** Astronomy; Space Science
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
** Chemistry; Chemical Engineering; Polymer * School of Geoscience ** School of Atmosphere Science: Meteorology; Atmosphere Physics ** School of Earth Science and Engineering: Earth Science; Water Science; Geology Engineering and Information Technology ** School of Geography and Ocean Science: Natural Geography; Land, Resources and Tourism; Earth Information Science; Coast and Ocean Science * School of Life Sciences ** Biology; Biochemistry * School of Medicine ** Clinical Medicine; Dentistry; Basic Medical Science; Laboratory Medicine; Public Health and Medicine (institute) * School of Environment * School of Architecture and Planning **Architecture; Urban Planning and Design * School of Electronics Science and Engineering ** Electronic Engineering; Micro-electronics and Optoelectronics; Informational Electronics; Communication Engineering * Department of Computer Science and Technology; Software Institute
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
** Materials; Energy; Quantum Electronics and Optical Engineering; Biomedical Engineering * Institute of Education (Graduate School of Education) * Institute for Gymnastics * Institute of Arts * Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Science * School for Basic Sciences Education * International School * School for Overseas Students Education * Jinling College(First-class applied college) * Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies ( Hopkins-Nanjing Center) * Other research and education institutes in areas such as African Studies, Judaic Studies, Agriculture, Engineering Management, etc.


Campus

Nanjing University has four main campuses: Gulou, Xianlin, Pukou, and Suzhou campus. The distance between Gulou and Xianlin campus is about 18 kilometers. Gulou Campus is located in Gulou District, at the center of
Nanjing City Nanjing (; , Mandarin pronunciation: ), Postal Map Romanization, alternately romanized as Nanking, is the capital of Jiangsu Provinces of China, province of the China, People's Republic of China. It is a sub-provincial city, a megacity, and t ...
. The main campus itself is divided into two sections by Hankou Road: North Garden, Bei Yuan, is where teaching and research take place; and South Garden, Nan Yuan, serves as the living area for both students and academic staff. Pukou Campus is situated in the suburban Pukou District, by the northern side of Nanjing New & High-Tech Industry Development Zone, and became part of Nanjing University in 1993. Once Pukou campus hosted undergraduate freshmen, sophomore and junior students. In 2009, the Pukou campus became the campus hosted the undergraduate students in Nanjing University Jinling College, which was founded by Nanjing University in 1998. Nanjing University Biomedical Research Institute is also located in Pukou. Xianlin Campus is located in the northeast of Nanjing, in the Xianlin Universities Town, south of Yangtse River and
Qixia Mountain Qixia Mountain () is a mountain in the northeast part of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. In the Southern Dynasties The Northern and Southern dynasties () was a period of political division in the history of China that lasted from 420 ...
, east of Purple Mountain, and west of Baohua Mountain. The campus is home to undergraduate students and parts of graduate students. It was opened in September 2009. There is the stop of Nanjing University Xianlin Campus on Line 2 of Nanjing Subway, which enables Xianlin and Gulou campus to be connected through subway. In Gulou campus, there are several museums including Nanjing University Museum, Museum of Art and Archaeology, Museum of Earth Science. There is Sun Yat-sen House. It's said that Sun Yat-sen, the first president (provisional president) of the Republic of China, lived there. There are also Pearl Buck House, John Rabe House, etc.. Gulou campus is now becoming mainly for professional graduate campus. The location of Nanjing University has changed for several times, with historical campuses mainly in
Fuzimiao Nanjing Fuzimiao () or Fuzimiao (), is a Confucius Temple and former site of imperial examination hall located in southern Nanjing City on banks of the Qinhuai River. It is now a popular tourist attraction with pedestrian shopping streets aroun ...
(on the bank of Qinhuai River), Gulou, Chaotiangong and Sipailou (south of Qintian Mountain) areas. In addition, during Anti-Japanese War, its main campus moved to Shapingba,
Chungking Chongqing ( or ; ; Sichuanese pronunciation: , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ), alternately romanized as Chungking (), is a municipality in Southwest China. The official abbreviation of the city, "" (), was approved by the State Coun ...
, with two auxiliary campuses, one in Bohsi, Chungking, and one in Hwahsiba,
Chengdu Chengdu (, ; simplified Chinese: 成都; pinyin: ''Chéngdū''; Sichuanese pronunciation: , Standard Chinese pronunciation: ), alternatively romanized as Chengtu, is a sub-provincial city which serves as the capital of the Chinese pro ...
, in some sense combined with
Chongqing University Chongqing University (CQU; , colloquially abbreviated as ChóngDà) is a public research university located in Chongqing, China. It is a National Key University directly funded by the central government of China as part of the Double First Class ...
and Western China University (now medical school of
Sichuan University Sichuan University (SCU) is a national key public research university in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. The university is wholly funded by the Ministry of Education. SCU is one of the top universities of China, and a Class A Double First Class Univer ...
) respectively. It also deserves to mention that before the war, with the rapid development of the university, a new campus planned to cover an area of 8000 mu (about ) south to Niushou Mountain in the southern suburb area of Nanjing had been built for near a year. After the war, it moved back to Nanjing, making former campus Sipailou as main campus, and the new campus Dingjiaqiao was built for agriculture and medical schools. Nanjing University relocated in Gulou six years after moving back, and then near sixty years later Xianlin campus emerged. Today's Nanjing University Gulou campus is the location of Imperial University of Nanjing during
Former Song dynasty Song, known as Liu Song (), Former Song (前宋) or Song of (the) Southern Dynasty (南朝宋) in historiography, was an imperial dynasty of China and the first of the four Southern dynasties during the Northern and Southern dynasties period. ...
in more than 1500 years ago when it was in the west of the city, and now it's in the centre of the city.


Culture


Motto

Officially translated into English as "Sincerity with Aspiration, Perseverance and Integrity". Another version is "Be Honest and Intelligent, Study Hard and Act Sincerely."() The first half of this motto was the motto during the National Central University time, and the last half was quoted from the classic literature work ''
Book of Rites The ''Book of Rites'', also known as the ''Liji'', is a collection of texts describing the social forms, administration, and ceremonial rites of the Zhou dynasty as they were understood in the Warring States and the early Han periods. The ''Book ...
''. It was voted to be the motto by university students in 2002, and the then university president supported it and wrote an article to interpret it. The translation does not fully express the meaning of the Chinese words of the motto. Motto counterparts between Chinese and English literally: Cheng (诚, Sincerity, Honesty, Integrity), Pu (樸, Simplicity, Austerity, naturally being oneself), Xiong (雄, Sturdiness, Majesty, being vigorous and keeping ideal and ambition, being firm and persistent with fortitude), Wei (偉, Greatness, having great ideal and ambition, with great mind comprehending, containing and improving world), Li Xue (勵學, Endeavor to Learn), Dun Xing (敦行, Urge to Act, Act Sincerely). The term Dun Xing comes from the context in
Book of Rites The ''Book of Rites'', also known as the ''Liji'', is a collection of texts describing the social forms, administration, and ceremonial rites of the Zhou dynasty as they were understood in the Warring States and the early Han periods. The ''Book ...
: Having broad knowledge and strong learning ability and being modest, acting in sincerity and benignity and not slack, that is a gentleman (gentleperson) (博聞強識而讓 敦善行而不怠 謂之君子).


Song

The university song, recovered in 2002, was created in 1916. It is the first school song in the modern history of Nanjing University, with the lyrics written by Jiang Qian and melody composed by Li Shutong ().


Anniversary

The present school anniversary is on May 20 every year, which was set by the school authority in 1954 in some sense due to some ideological reasons of the time, with the starting year being 1902 when relaunching the school as a modern higher learning institution, and the day May 20 in memory of the movement of anti-hunger and anti-war initiated by the university in that day of 1947. In recent years, the date May 20 has another new meaning: in Chinese Nanjing pronunciation, 5.20, sounds like I Love You (Wu Ai Ni). It shows students' love for their Alma Mater.


Rankings and reputation


Global rankings

As of 2022, Nanjing University ranked 7th in China and 95th globally by
Times Higher Education World University Rankings The ''Times Higher Education World University Rankings'' (often referred to as the THE Rankings) is an annual publication of university rankings by the ''Times Higher Education'' (THE) magazine. The publisher had collaborated with Quacquarelli ...
. Nanjing University consistently features in the top 150 international universities as ranked by the Academic Ranking of World Universities, the
QS World University Rankings ''QS World University Rankings'' is an annual publication of university rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). The QS system comprises three parts: the global overall ranking, the subject rankings (which name the world's top universities for the ...
, the
Times Higher Education World University Rankings The ''Times Higher Education World University Rankings'' (often referred to as the THE Rankings) is an annual publication of university rankings by the ''Times Higher Education'' (THE) magazine. The publisher had collaborated with Quacquarelli ...
, and the U.S. News & World Report. Regarding scientific research output, the Nature Index Annual Table 2022 ranked Nanjing University the 5th university in China and the Asia Pacific region, and 8th in the world among global universities. Nanjing University is consistently ranked among the top universities in Asia according to several major international university rankings. The joint '' THE-QS World University Rankings'' 2007 ranked Nanjing University 4th in China after (
Peking } Beijing ( ; ; ), alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the center of power and development of the country. Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city, with over 21 ...
, Tsinghua and Fudan), 17th in Asia and 125th in the world. The ''
Times Higher Education World University Rankings The ''Times Higher Education World University Rankings'' (often referred to as the THE Rankings) is an annual publication of university rankings by the ''Times Higher Education'' (THE) magazine. The publisher had collaborated with Quacquarelli ...
'' 2011 placed Nanjing 120th in the world, 16th in Asia and 4th in China. In 2017, Nanjing University was ranked 91-100 for World Reputation Ranking by
Times Higher Education ''Times Higher Education'' (''THE''), formerly ''The Times Higher Education Supplement'' (''The Thes''), is a British magazine reporting specifically on news and issues related to higher education. Ownership TPG Capital acquired TSL Education ...
, and 114 by
QS World University Rankings ''QS World University Rankings'' is an annual publication of university rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). The QS system comprises three parts: the global overall ranking, the subject rankings (which name the world's top universities for the ...
. In 2017, its Graduate Employability rankings placed at #101 globally in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings. Nanjing has been consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the world by Nature Index since 2016 by
Nature Portfolio Nature Portfolio (formerly known as Nature Publishing Group and Nature Research) is a division of the international scientific publishing company Springer Nature that publishes academic journals, magazines, online databases, and services in sc ...
.


Domestic rankings

Nanjing University is generally considered one of the most competitive university in China. The first-time integrative ranking of universities in China, in 1989, ranked Nanjing as the No.1 comprehensive university. Reviewing rankings, domestically, according to university rankings in China, Nanjing University was generally ranked among the top 3 universities before the university merger tide occurred in the several years about after 2000, and then ranking down, even falling to No.7. Chinese university ranking by Chinese Academy of Management Science since 1995 ranked Nanjing University between 1st and 3rd before 2000 and since then between 3rd and 6th.
Chinese university ranking The Chinese university ranking is a College and university rankings, ranking of universities in Mainland China compiled by Wu Shulian. He has been studying "Chinese University Ranking" since 1991 and leader of "Chinese University Ranking Research ...
since 1999 by the higher education publisher Netbig consistently ranked the university among the top 3 before 2005, and in the most recent ranking among the top 5. Academic Ranking of World Universities since 2003 by
Shanghai Jiaotong University Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU; ) is a public research university in Shanghai, China. The university is funded by the Ministry of Education of China. The university was established on April 8, 1896 as Nanyang Public School (南洋� ...
suggested a domestic rank of number 2 to number 7.


Admissions


Selectivity

Known for its stringent admission criteria, Nanjing University was reported in 2021 by one source to be the fourth most selective university ("the university that is the hardest to get in") in mainland China.


Overseas students

In 2012, 667 new students from abroad attended Nanking University, among them about 20% from USA, 22% from Britain, France, Germany and Italy and the rest from other countries. In 2013 Nanda recruited 761 overseas students from 61 countries. In 2014, there were about 3600 overseas students, about 40% from Asia, 40% from Europe and North America, and 20% from other regions.


Academics


Chinese language and literature

Nanjing University has a long history in the field of Chinese language and literature. The School of Literature founded by Hsieh Yuan in the 15th year of Yuanjia reign (CE 438) was the oldest literature school in ancient China. In modern times, it was the first in mainland China to have granted a doctoral degree in Chinese Language and Literature. In addition, Nanjing University is in close cooperation with the
United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmoniz ...
to offer a Chinese language programme. Widely recognized as one of the most eminently prestigious Schools of Chinese in the world, it was ranked with Peking University as Joint No. 1 in Chinese Language and Literature. Peking University and Nanjing University are widely recognized in the academic community as the two top universities in the field of Chinese Language and Literature in the world, with both consistently taking the two top places in rankings on the subject. anjing Universityhad produced modern China's first PhD in Chinese Language and Literature, Dr. Mo Lifeng (莫砺锋), who is still serving as its Professor of Chinese.


Western literature

Nanjing University established the first department of Western literature among Chinese universities, in 1921. Two years later the department was merged with English department and other faculties including French and German and renamed department of foreign languages and literature, later known as school of foreign studies. China Association for the Study of American Literature (CASAL) is located in the school.


Other university-affiliated institutions


Herbarium

Nanjing University Herbarium (N) was founded in the 4th year of ROC, although there were herbarium specimens in the school before. It's the first modern herbarium in China. It is located in the Tianjiabing Building.


Notable alumni and people


Alumni and students

* Among the winners of the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars from 1994 to 2008, 108 are graduates of Nanda, ranking No. 1, 96 are of Beida, 76 are of University of Science and Technology of China, and 64 are of
Tsinghua University Tsinghua University (; abbr. THU) is a national public research university in Beijing, China. The university is funded by the Ministry of Education. The university is a member of the C9 League, Double First Class University Plan, Projec ...
which is listed in top 4. * Among 78 winners of Prizes for Young Scientists of China since 1992, 5 are Nanda graduates, both Beida and Tsinghua graduates are 4, consisting of top 3 rankings. * A statistic in 2006 indicated that among about 120 directors (or presidents) of institutes of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 are graduates of Nanjing University, ranking No. 1, while the number of the university (Peking University) ranking No.2 is 10, and a recent statistic in 2010 shows that 14 holds bachelor's from Nanda which is the double of the number of the university (Beida) which ranks No.2. * Among 25 winners of National Preeminent Science and Technology Award since 2000, 4 are graduates of Nanjing University: Liu Dongsheng (), Min Enze (), Wu Liangyong (), Zhang Cunhao (), ranking top 3 along with
Tsinghua University Tsinghua University (; abbr. THU) is a national public research university in Beijing, China. The university is funded by the Ministry of Education. The university is a member of the C9 League, Double First Class University Plan, Projec ...
and Peking University, and besides, the winner
Cheng Kaijia Cheng Kaijia (; 3 August 1918 – 17 November 2018), also known as Kai Chia Cheng, was a Chinese nuclear engineer and nuclear physicist. He was a pioneer and key figure in Chinese nuclear weapon development. He is known as one of the founding fa ...
() is a faculty member of Nanjing University, and Yuan Longping () is a graduate of the then middle school affiliated to Nanjing University (now the High School Affiliated to Nanjing Normal University). * Nanjing University ranks No.1 in the number of alumni elected as academicians of Chinese Academy of Sciences and/or Chinese Academy of Engineering graduated in recent more than 30 years since college admission entrance examination system was recovered in 1977 after Cultural Revolution. * In the first time Examination for senior civil service post of Republic of China (as recovery of and equivalent to
Imperial examination The imperial examination (; lit. "subject recommendation") refers to a civil-service examination system in Imperial China, administered for the purpose of selecting candidates for the state bureaucracy. The concept of choosing bureaucrats by ...
) in 1931, top 100 were selected, all were males, among them 25 are graduates of Nanjing University, including
Zhuangyuan ''Zhuangyuan'', or ''trạng nguyên'' in Vietnamese, variously translated into English as principal graduate, primus, or optimus, was the title given to the scholar who achieved the highest score on highest level of the Imperial examination, (i ...
(principal graduate) Chow Bangdao, who was later president of China Medical College and Political Deputy Ministry of Examination, ROC, and the school in the second place is Peking University, with 8 graduates. In the second time exam held in 1933, there were females passed, half of whom graduated from Nanjing University, as well as Zhuangyuan Lee Hsuehteng, who graduated from law school and later became Chief Justice of ROC Supreme Court. One-fourth of Chief Justices in the early 60 more years of Republic of China are National Central University (Nanjing University) alumni. * In sciences, there are 877 leading scientists with major contributions to modern sciences in China, as listed in an article on history of Chinese modern sciences by Li Peishan published on CAS journal, and among them 115 are graduates of Nanjing University during Republic of China in the mainland period (1912–49), ranking No.1.


University faculty and people

* Among 30 First Class Prizes of National Natural Science Awards since 1956, which is the highest level prize in natural science in China, 6 major winners (sole or first listed winner) studied at Nanjing University: Feng Kang, Liu Dongsheng, Wang Debao (), Qin Renchang, Hou Xianguang (), Min Naiben; in addition, another 2 were faculty members: Li Siguang, Qian Chongshu (); and Nanda people are in the list of winners of about half of the prizes. * In recent years after the reform since 1978, Nanjing University is in third place in the number of academicians of
Chinese Academy of Sciences The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); ), known by Academia Sinica in English until the 1980s, is the national academy of the People's Republic of China for natural sciences. It has historical origins in the Academia Sinica during the Republi ...
and/or
Chinese Academy of Engineering The Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE, ) is the national academy of the People's Republic of China for engineering. It was established in 1994 and is an institution of the State Council of China. The CAE and the Chinese Academy of Sciences ...
among faculty members, behind Peking University and
Tsinghua University Tsinghua University (; abbr. THU) is a national public research university in Beijing, China. The university is funded by the Ministry of Education. The university is a member of the C9 League, Double First Class University Plan, Projec ...
. * Among 1107 members of
Chinese Academy of Sciences The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); ), known by Academia Sinica in English until the 1980s, is the national academy of the People's Republic of China for natural sciences. It has historical origins in the Academia Sinica during the Republi ...
elected till 2007, 210 are Nanjing University people. * All four founding scientific leaders (president or vice president in natural science) of
Chinese Academy of Sciences The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); ), known by Academia Sinica in English until the 1980s, is the national academy of the People's Republic of China for natural sciences. It has historical origins in the Academia Sinica during the Republi ...
once taught or studied at Nanjing University:
Zhu Kezhen Coching Chu (; March 7, 1890 – February 7, 1974) was a Chinese geologist and meteorologist. Born in Shangyu, Zhejiang, Chu went to United States for his college education in 1910. He graduated from the College of Agriculture, University o ...
(faculty member),
Wu Youxun Wu Youxun (; 26 April 1897 – 30 November 1977), also known as Y. H. Woo, was a Chinese physicist. His courtesy name was Zhèngzhī (). Biography Wu graduated from the Department of Physics of Nanjing Higher Normal School (later renamed N ...
(graduate), Yan Jici (graduate), Tong Dizhou (faculty member). * Of 53 first-time elected academicians of Academia Sinica in natural science including mathematics, 28 were graduates or once faculty members of Nanjing University.NU people of first-time (in 1948, and also the only time in mainland China) elected academicians of Academia Sinica in natural science: Wu Youxun, Ye Qisun, Zhao Zhongyao, Yan Jici, Wu Xuezhou, Zhuang Changgong, Zeng Zhaolun, Zhu Jiahua, Li Siguang, Huang Jiqing, Xie Jiarong, Zhu Kezhen, Zhou Ren, Mao Yisheng, Wang Jiayi, Wu Xianwen, Bing Zhi, Chen Zhen, Tong Dizhou, Hu Xiansu, Zhang Jingyue, Qian Chongpeng, Dai Fanglan, Luo Zongluo, Wu Dingliang, Cai Qiao, Li Xianwen, Deng Shuqun.


In literature

Nanjing University in literature, media and various related works * Liao-Fan's Four Lessons, a book, film, drama serials. The book is written by Yuan LiaoFan, a graduate of Imperial University of Nanking in Ming dynasty. * Chiang Kai-Shek's Face (蔣公的面子), a story about three professors and president Chiang Kai-Shek (president of Republic of China and also president of National Central University).


See also

*
Guozijian The Guozijian,Yuan, 194. sometimes translated as the Imperial College, Imperial Academy, Imperial University, National Academy, or National University, was the national central institution of higher learning in Chinese dynasties after the Su ...
*
National Central University National Central University (NCU, ; Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: ''Kwet-li̍p Chung-yong Thài-ho̍k'', Wade–Giles: ''Kuo2 Li4 Chung Yang Ta4 Hsüeh2'' or ''中大'', ''Chung-ta'') is a public research university with long-standing traditions based in Taiw ...


Notes


References


External links


Nanjing University

General Alumni Association of Nanjing University

Nanjing University Alumni Association - US

Official English Website
{{Authority control Ancient universities Educational institutions established in the 3rd century 258 establishments Educational institutions established in the 20th century Educational institutions established in 1902 Educational institutions established in 1915 1915 establishments in China Project 211 Project 985 Plan 111 Vice-ministerial universities in China C9 League Universities and colleges in Nanjing