Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University (Pinyin: Qīnghuá Dàxué; Traditional: 清華大學; Simplified: 清华大学; Wade-Giles Ch'ing-hua Ta-hsüeh) is one of the most prestigious universities in China.

History

Tsinghua University was established in Beijing in 1911 on the site of a former royal garden, and was funded by an indemnity which China paid the United States after the Boxer Rebellion. It was at first a preparatory school for those who were sent by the government to study in the United States. In 1925, a four-year university section was established.

When the war broke between China and Japan in 1937, Tsinghua University, along with Peking University and Nankai University, merged to form the Southwest Associated University in Kunming. After the war, Tsinghua moved back to Beijing and resumed its operation.

After the Chinese Civil War, Tsinghua University was divided into Tsinghua University in Beijing and the National Tsing Hua University located in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Both claim to be the successor of the original Tsinghua University, an issue that was significant in the awarding of the Boxer Rebellion indemnity which was ultimately given to the school in Taiwan.

In 1952, Tsinghua University was readjusted and became a multidisciplinary polytechnic university with an emphasis on training engineers.

Present

As of the end of 2003, Tsinghua University had 12 colleges and 48 departments, 41 research institutes, 35 research centers, and 167 laboratories, including 15 national key laboratories. The university offers 51 bachelor's degree programs, 139 master's degree programs and 107 Ph.D. programs. Recently, Tsinghua has become the first Chinese university to offer a Master of Laws program in American law, through a cooperative venture with Temple University. The university is a member of LAOTSE, an international network of leading universities in Europe and Asia. Its longtime rival is Peking University.

Famous alumni

• Qian Zhongshu – writer
• Shiing-shen Chern – mathematician
• Chen Ning Yang – physicist, Nobel Prize laureate (physics, 1957)
• Zhu Rongji – former Premier of the People's Republic of China
• Hu Jintao – President of the People's Republic of China
• Wen Yiduo – writer, poet
• Zhou Ji – minister of education

See also: List of universities in Mainland China

External link

• Official website (English version)