Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University (Traditional[?]: 清華大學 ; Simplified: 清华大学 ; pinyin Qinghua Daxue) is one of the most famous universities in China.

History

It was established in Beijing in 1911 on the site of a former royal garden. 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 with other two universities (Peking University and Nankai University[?]) merged to form the Southwest Associated University[?] in Kunming. After the war Tsinghua moved back to Beijing and resumed operation.

National Tsing Hua University (Hsinchu, Taiwan) was part of Tsinghua University in Beijing before 1949, and the school was split after 1949 due to the Chinese Civil War.

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

Present

As of the end of 2000, Tsinghua University had eight colleges and 43 departments, 44 research institutes, nine engineering research centers, and 163 laboratories, including 15 national key laboratories. The university offers 37 bachelor's degree programs, 107 master's degree programs and 64 Ph.D. programs.

In 2001, Tsinghua University was ranked as the best university in China (together with Peking University).

Famous scholars from Tsinghua University:

• Qian Zhongshu - writer
• Zhu Rongji - Premier of China
• Hu Jintao - President of China

External links

• Official website (http://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/eng/index.htm) (English version)