Nanjing University

Nanjing University (南京大学, 南京大學, Pinyin: Nánjīng Dàxué; colloquially 南大, Pinyin Nándà) is one of the most prestigious universities in China, and is also one of the oldest higher education institutions. Nanjing University, the cradle of modern science in China, located in Nanjing, is regarded as the first modern Chinese university.

Table of contents

1 History

1.1 Historic events

2 Faculties and fields

2.2 Current schools and departments

3 Campus
4 International exchanges
5 Famous alumni
6 External links

History

Nanjing University has had several names in its modern history. It was founded in 1902 with the initial name Sanjiang Normal College, at the site of the former Nanjing Imperial Central College originated in 258. In the 15th century, Nanjing Imperial Central College was the world's largest higher education institution, with about 10 thousand students, many of whom came from many other countries. Wu Cheng'en, Zheng He and Zheng Chenggong studied there around this time. Sanjiang Normal College became Liangjiang Normal College in 1906. Later it was successively renamed Nanjing Higher Normal Institute(南京高等师范学校) in 1915, National Southeast University(国立东南大学) in 1921, and again renamed National Central University (国立中央大学) in 1928. Finally, in 1949, the central government of the R.O.C moved from Nanjing, mainland China, to Taipei, Taiwan, and the Central University changed its name to Nanjing University. National Central University was reestablished in Taiwan in 1962. In 1952, another famous Christian university, University of Nanking(金陵大学), founded in 1888, was merged with Nanjing University.

Historic events

"The Science Society of China", the first and dominating Chinese science organization, settled in the university in 1918. It strengthened Nanjing University's position as the science center of China.
The monthly Xue Heng started publication in January, 1922. It was the focus of the "Xue Heng School", which included the scholars Liu Boming, Liu Yizheng, Mei Guangdi, Wu Mi and Hu Xianxiao They tried to reinvigorate traditional Chinese culture by integrating it with modern humanism. During this period, Nanjing University was recognized as an academic and cultural exchange centre for east and west. Many famous scholars visited, such as the educationist P. Paul Monroe, W. H. Kilpatrick, E. L. Thorndike, philosopher J. Dewey, litterateur Pearl Buck, British ideologist B. Russell, German philosopher Hans Driesch and the Bengali poet R. Tagore. Nanjing University was praised as the "Oriental Education Centre".
In 1976, the teachers and students at Nanjing University launched the "Nanjing 3.29 Movement" to oppose the Cultural Revolution. The effort led to the break-out of the countrywide "4.5 Movement". In 1978, Hu Fuming, a teacher from the Philosophy Department of Nanjing University, wrote and published the historic article entitled "Practice Is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth". It led to the nationwide "Debate on Standards for Judging the Truth" and directly promoted the end of the Cultural Revolution and the start of the era of becoming a free and rich society .

Faculties and fields

Nanjing University has been at the forefront of developments in teaching and reasearch in China. It was the first institution in the country to adopt student-centred teaching methods. It has been a pioneer in many fields in China, such as art, literature, history, religion, sociology, biology, physics, geoscience and business studies.

Current schools and departments

School of Humanities
- Chinese, History, Philosophy, Religion
School of Foreign Studies
- English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, International Business
School of Science
- Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy
School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer material
School of Geoscience
- Earth Science, Atmosphere Science, Urban & Resources Science
School of Technology
- Computer Science & Technology, Electrical & Electronics, Material Science & Technology
School of Business
- Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Accounting, International Trading, Electronic Commerce
School of Law
- Law, Economic Law, International Economic Law
School of Public Administration
- Politics, Government Administration, Sociology, Information Management,
School of Journalism & Communication
- Journalism, Broadcasting, TV & Internet, Communication & Advertising
School of Medicine
School of Environment
School of Computer Softerware
Education
Physical Education
Art
Architecture
Other research and education institutes in areas such as African Studies, Judaic Studies, International Affairs, Anthropology, Agriculture, Space Science, Engineering Management, etc.

Campus

Nanjing University consists of two campuses. The main campus is located in Gulou District, the centre of Nanjing. The new affiliated campus constructed in 1993 lies in the suburb of Pukou District.

International exchanges

Several honorary doctors of Nanjing University:
- François Mitterrand, President of France
- George Herbert Walker Bush, President of United States (also contributed to the establishment of Center for Chinese and American Studies - jointly administered by Johns Hopkins University and Nanjing University)
- Bob Hawke, Prime Minister of Australia
- Boutros Boutros Ghali, United Nations Secretary General
- Johannes Rau, President of Germany (also contributed to the development of German-Chinese Institute for Legal Studies - jointly operated by University of Göttingen and Nanjing University)

Famous alumni

Chang Cheh, film director. The "Father of New Gongfu Film".

Chang Chi-yun, historian, geographer, educationist, politician.

Chang Dai-chien, great Chinese artist.

Chiang Kai-shek, President of the Republic of China. He was also the president of the university in 1943 and 1944.
Chiang Yee, poet, author, painter, calligrapher. The "Silent Traveller".
Chien-Shiung Wu, scientist. Regarded as the "Greatest Experimental Physicist in 20th Century".
C.Y. Chao, physical scientist. The discoverer of antimatter, and the first scientist that observed positron.
Choh Hao Li, biologist, biochemist. World's foremost authority on the pituitary gland with achievements including isolating and synthesizing the human pituitary growth hormone. He received many honors including Lasker Award.
Choh-Ming Li, educationist, economist.
Feng Duan, physicist.
Feng Kang, mathematician. The founder of finite element algorithm.
François Cheng, writer, poet. A "Bridge Between Eastern and Western Culture".
Gang Tian, mathematician.
Gao Xingjian, novelist, dramatist and critic. Nobel Prize Winner in Literature in 2000. He entered Middle School Attached to University of Nanking (Now Nanjing University Experiment School -- Jinling High School) in 1952.
Hu Bangji, journalist. China's war correspondent in European battlefield in World War II. She interviewed many men of the time, including Winston Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, De Gaulle, Truman, Chamberlain and Tito. Her husband, Bi Jilong, former vice secretary general of United Nations, was her schoolmate at Nanjing University.
Jiang Zemin, President of the PRC. He studied at Nanjing Central University from 1943 to 1945.
Kenneth J. Hsu, scientist. He received many prestigious awards including Twenhofel Medal, Wollaston Medal and Penrose Medal. His most famous popular science works may be The Great Dying and The Mediterranean Was a Desert.
Kim Jun-Yop, historian, educationlist, social activitist.
Kwoh-Ting Li, economic expert, statesmen. The "Father of Taiwan's Economic Miracle".
Liu Dongsheng, geologist. Tyler Environmental Prize winner.
Mochtar Riady, financial magnate in southeast Asia. Founder and CEO of Lippo Group. Chairman of the Asian Bankers Association. The founder of several banks.
Nieh Hua Ling, writer. Contributed a lot to world literature exchange.
Pearl Buck, novelist, writer. "A Cultural Bridge Across the Pacific". Pulitzer Prize winner, Nobel Prize winner. She taught at the university for more than ten years. Related:Former Residence of Pearl Buck
Sha Zukang, diplomat. President of the Board of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Tang I-Fang, industry magnate. The founder and Chaireman of Board of WBL Corporation. The Pioneer of Singapore Industry.
Tao Xingzhi, great educationist. The Chinese "Modern Confucius".
T.C. Tso, agriculturalist, tobacco scientist.
Te-Tzu Chang, agriculturalist. Member of Pontifical Academy of Sciences (Vatican City). He receives Tyler World Prize for Environmental Achievement 1999.
Wang Gungwu, historian, educator.
Wu Teh Yao, educationist, politics scholar.
Vikram Seth, poet, novelist.
Y. H. Woo, physical scientist. After Woo YH verified Compton effect (X-ray diffraction), Nobel Prize was given to Arthur H. Compton.
Wu Liangyong, architect.
Yuan-Cheng Fung, scientist. The "Father of Bioengineering", the "Founder of Biomechanics".
Yuan Longping, agriculturalist. "China's Most Famous 'Farmer'", "Father of Hybrid Rice", Wolf Award winner. He graduated from Middle School Attached to National Nanjing University (Now NSFZ) in 1949.
Yu Chi-chung, press magnate; the founder of the China Times Group.
Zhihong Jeff Xia, mathematician.
Nanjing University People for more alumni.