Nanjing University

Overview

Nanjing University (NJU or NU) is a public university located in the province of Jiangsu in the People's Republic of China. A member of the C9 League of Chinese universities, NJU has placed highly in university rankings in China and the world.

The university currently offers over 200 undergraduate and postgraduate majors at its numerous schools and departments, which specialize in fields of study such as liberal arts, business, law, information management, and astronomy and space sciences. The university's programs in the subjects of Chemistry, Materials Science, and Nanoscience and Nanotechnology have also achieved high rankings, while its programs in Astronomy, Geology, and Physics have placed at the top of subject rankings in China. Aside from its science courses, NJU has gained recognition for its courses in Chinese language and literature, having conferred modern China's first PhD in the field of study.

NJU also offers a wide variety of English-taught courses along with student exchange programs for Chinese and international students. Students can also enroll in various MOOCs on topics such as data processing, software testing, and translation.

Aside from its academics, Nanjing University is known for the quality of its research in science, technology, humanities, and social sciences. The university is home to national laboratories in fields such as microstructures, coast and island development, mesoscopic chemistry, and modern acoustics. Researchers at the university have also undertaken numerous key state projects in recent years. In addition to these scientific laboratories, NJU operates various institutes and centers devoted to the humanities and maintains key research bases funded by China's Ministry of Education.

The oldest institution of higher learning in Nanjing, Nanjing University was established in 1902 as the Sanjiang Normal School, modeled after modern higher institutions of learning in Japan. The school underwent numerous name changes until it assumed its current name in 1952.

Throughout its history, the university has been known as an academic pioneer in China, establishing the country's first programs and faculties for modern art, modern gymnastics, biology, psychology, and business. Nanjing University was also the first higher learning institution in China to enroll coeducational students, establish modern scientific research laboratories, and confer doctoral degrees in Chinese studies, world history, and computer science.

Today, NJU has three campuses in the city of Nanjing, one campus each in the districts of Gulou, Xianlin, and Pukou. In addition to a university library considered to be one of the best among Chinese universities, NJU is home to China's first modern herbarium.