Renmin University of China

Overview

Renmin University of China (RUC) is a research university located in the Haidian District in Beijing, China. It was formally established in 1949 by the Communist Party of China (CPC). RUC positions itself as a comprehensive research university that is focused on the humanities and social sciences. It takes pride in being the first comprehensive research university put up by the People’s Republic of China. The university’s vision is to be an internationally renowned institution that trains future leaders, produces groundbreaking research, and facilitates the exchange of ideas on a global scale.

RUC offers more than 70 bachelor’s programs, over 190 master’s programs, and 135 PhD programs all taught in the Chinese language. The university is organized into five main schools: Economics, Humanities, Law and Politics, Social Sciences, and Science and Technology. They also have international summer school programs and English-language master’s programs.

RUC’s origins date back to 1937 with the establishment of Shanbei Public School. In 1939, Shanbei Public School was merged with other schools to form the North China United University. It served as training grounds for cadres to meet the needs of the war. During this time, the departments were organized into schools. By 1948, North China United University was merged with Northern University to form the North China University. A year after, the CPC passed a resolution to create the Renmin University of China by merging North China University and the China University of Political Science and Law. North China University was then renamed to Renmin University of China in 1950.

RUC is considered as one of the leading public universities in mainland China. It has been included in top 100 lists of the best universities in Asia. Globally, it has ranked within the top 500 to 700 best universities according to popular academic ranking publications. In addition, the Renmin Business School’s Custom Executive Education program has been ranked as one of the best in the world.

RCU professors are active in analyzing the impact of Western politics on China. They have organized webinars and dialogue sessions predicting how Joe Biden’s win will affect US-China relations.

Researchers from RCU have also recently teamed up with Boston University to create a database that documents the ties between the US and China. Called the China Historical Christian Database, researchers will piece together 300,000 pieces of data to create a map of important Christian institutions that missionaries built in China from the 1550s to the 1950s. The project aims to promote mutual understanding and interest amidst current tensions between the East and the West.