OVERVIEW

Since its founding in 1919, Nankai University has forged a strong academic reputation. Known as thealma mater of the esteemedPremierZhou Enlai,it has gathered many academic leaders over the yearsand inspired generations of students, building a model for higher education in China.Committed tomaking an impact on society, the university hasachievedsignificantresults that havecontributed to substantialsocio-economic benefits.

OUR RICH HISTORY

Nankai University (NKU) was founded in 1919, by therenownedpatriotic educators Zhang Boling and Yan Xiu, who upheld the belief in education as a means to save the nation. During WWII (1937-1945), NKUundertook a perilous journey,trekkingthousands of miles southwest across the country to ensure its survival.InKunming,Yunnan Province, it merged with PekingUniversityand Tsinghua University toform theprestigiousNationalSouthwest Associated University. This collaboration brought together many eminent scholars, resulting in the education of numerous leading scientists and patriotic revolutionaries.

In 1946, NKU returned to Tianjin and was re-establishedasa national university. Zhang Boling held the post of president,and by the1980s,NKU had evolvedintoacomprehensiveuniversityencompassingliberal arts and sciences.

Followingthe founding of the People’s Republic of China,Nankai University, withsupportfromboth the Ministry of Education and Tianjin Municipal People’s Government,developed into a research-oriented university,includedin the keynationalprojectsinhigher educationaimed at building leading universities in China, which arethe“985”initiativeandthe“211”initiative.

In September 2015,NKU openedanew campus,forminga“three-campus” layoutfor the first time,which includes theBalitaiCampus,theJinnanCampusandtheTEDACampus,collectivelycovering anarea of 4,431,200 m².Specifically, the Balitai Campus occupies 1,216,000 m²,the Jinnan Campus covers 2,458,900 m²,and the TEDA Campus spans 67,200 m².The total building area of the dormitories is 1,944,900 m².

In September 2017, Nankai University was selectedfor the“Double First-Class”initiative alongside 41 other Chinese universities and is expected to achievethenationally leading levelandtheinternationally advanced level in academic research, faculty strength, international exchange and cooperation, and talent cultivation.

Over the past century, NKU has always been closely linked with the fate of the nation, advancing together with the progress of society.Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the development of Nankai University has always received thesupport fromthe central leaders.The foundingChairman Mao Zedong inscribed the name of the universityandvisited the campusin 1958;the firstPremier Zhou Enlai returned toNKU,his alma mater,forthree times; Deng Xiaoping met with the renowned mathematician Shiing-Shen Chern and authorized the establishment of theChernInstitute of Mathematicsat Nankai University;former PresidentJiang Zemin and Hu Jintao also visited Nankai Universityduring their tenure.President Xi Jinping has repeatedly affirmed Nankai's developmentand hasvisited Nankai University personally during its centennial celebration.

CULTIVATING CAPABLE TALENT

At Nankai University, the emphasis on public values, capabilities and innovation is at the core ofitseducational mission.The universityprovides a quality environment forover30,000 students,offeringthebroadestrange of disciplines, allowing them ample freedom for academic exploration.The universityactivelyencourages its world-class researchers to participate in undergraduate teaching,resulting inmany popularandwell-received classes.NowNankaiUniversity comprises 28 colleges, covering a wide array of disciplines, including literature, history, philosophy, economics, management, law, science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, education, arts, etc.

Nankai University boasts six disciplines selected for the national Double First-Class initiative, six first-level disciplines(chemistry, material science and engineering, mathematics, statistics,world historyand applied economics)designated as national key disciplines (covering 35 second-level disciplines), nine second-level national key disciplines, and 32 first-level key disciplines in Tianjin. In global discipline evaluation systems, 17 of its disciplines rank within the top 1%, with chemistry, materials science, and engineering science placing in the top 0.1%.

With84undergraduate programs,10 first-level disciplinesauthorizedto offer master’s degree programs and 24 spots for offering professional master’s degree, 32 first-level disciplinesauthorizedto offer doctoral degree programs and 4 spots for offering professional doctoral degree,NankaiUniversityhas one of the most comprehensive academic programs in the country.

Being able to participate in research innovations, Nankai’s undergraduates have wonnumerouscompetitions. They are also encouragedto pursueentrepreneurship, andare provided withopportunities tosecurefunding for their startups.

The universityoffers diverse platforms for field trips and internships, which enable students to continue learning byapplyingtheories and knowledgein practical settings, thereby enhancingtheir sense of social commitment. Field trips and social service activities organized by the university also support poverty alleviation in China’s underdeveloped regions,embodying thepublic spirit ethosthat underpinsits teaching.

CONTINUALLY INNOVATING

From the founding of NKU to its centennial anniversary, therehas always been a group of people committed to scientific research.

Equipped with top academic capability and creative spirit, Nankai University has ahigh-quality faculty team who possess exceptional professional skills and outstanding teaching abilities.Among the 2,286faculty members, there are 959professorsand896associate professors.Among them, thereare 1052doctoral supervisors,and 795master’s supervisors. More data of honored scholars are as follows.

• 13 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Science

• 3 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering

• 7academicians of the World Academy of Sciences

• 38 leaders of The National Key Research and Development Program of China

• 37 outstanding young talents

• 34members of Young Talent Support Plan

• 49distinguished professors of Cheung Kong Scholars Program

• 70recipients of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholar

• 56recipients of the National Science Fund forOutstandingYoung Scholar

• 33candidates of Millions of Talents Project

• 7 Innovative Research Groups funded by the National Natural Science Foundation

• 10 Innovation Teams recognized by the Ministry of Education,

• 2 “Huang Danian-style” teacher teams at the national level

• 21 experts with outstanding contributions to the country

• 17members of Discipline Evaluation Group, Academic Degree Committee of The State Council

• 40+ chief scientists of the National High Technology Research and Development Program (863 Program) and the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program)

As a national research and teaching center, Nankai has4State Key Laboratories,1NationalKey Laboratories,1 National Engineering Research Center, 1 National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center, 3 “2011 Plan” Collaboration Innovation Centers,1 Frontier Science Center andover80Provincial and Ministerial Research Bases for Natural Sciences.A project led by Academician Zhou Qilin was awarded the First Prize of the National Natural Science Award in 2019. Meanwhile, the university currently has 6 Key Research Bases for Humanities and Social Sciences designated by the Ministry of Education, 1 Laboratory for Philosophy and Social Sciences also under the Ministry of Education, and 1 National Human Rights Education and Training Base, and over 50 Provincial and Ministerial Research Institutions in the humanities and social sciences. The number of entries in the National Philosophy and Social Sciences Achievement Library consistently ranks among the top universities nationwide. A number of outstanding think tanks have become advisory and talent pools for national ministries and local governments.

GOING GLOBAL

ElevatingNankaiUniversityinto the ranks of world-class universities wasa core ambitionofitsfounders. In its early years, the university attracted many world-class scholars and producednumerousrenowned alumni.

Nankai University has established exchange and collaborative relationships with more than 340 international universities and academic institutions, by carrying outhigh-level exchanges and cooperation involvingscholars and students, as well as implementing joint degree programs and collaborative researchinitiatives.Eachyear, over600 foreign experts conduct teaching and research activitiesatNankai, andmore than1,300 international students fromover90countries and regions are enrolled.

The universityhas established9 Confucius Institutesand Chinese language centeroverseas. It has also co-founded international joint research institutions with the University of Birmingham and other universities.Nankaimaintainsclose ties and deepenssubstantive cooperation with international organizations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the World Federation of Engineering Organizations and the World Economic Forum.

The university has conferred honorary doctorates on 10 internationally renowned individuals.SeveralNobel Prizelaureatesand international political leaders have been appointedashonorary professorsat Nankai.Additionally, anumberofdistinguishedscholars,prominentpoliticians and entrepreneursfrombothhome and abroad have been appointedasvisiting professors andadjunctprofessors.

( Statistics accurate as ofDecember,2023)