Peking University
北京大学

Why Study at Peking University, China

Brief Introduction

Peking University (PKU) is the first national university in Chinese modern history, covering comprehensive disciplines in China, and has been a leading institution of higher education in China since its establishment. When China became a republic in 1912 the university took on its current name. Its 274 hectare campus sits in Beijing’s Haidian District, near the famous Yuanmingyuan Garden and Summer Palace, and is known as known as ‘Yan Yuan’ or ‘the garden of Yan. The university has effectively combined research on important scientific subjects with the training of personnel with a high level of specialized knowledge and professional skill as demanded by the country's socialist modernization. It strives not only for improvements in teaching and research work, but also for the promotion of interaction and mutual promotion among various disciplines. Thus Peking University has become a center for teaching and research and a university of a new type, embracing diverse branches of learning such as basic and applied sciences, social sciences and the humanities, and sciences of medicine, management, and education. Its aim is to continue to be ranked among the world's best universities. 

1. History

Peking University was founded in 1898, originally known as the Imperial University of Peking. It was the first national university covering comprehensive disciplines in China, and has been a leading institution of higher education in China since its establishment. It also served as the highest administration for education at the beginning of its founding. 

In 1912, the university adopted its present name. At the end of the 20th century, the Chinese government put Peking University at the top of its agenda for promoting higher education, with the aim to build a world-class university in the 21st Century. After merging with Beijing Medical University in 2000, Peking University once again was strengthened in its disciplinary structure. Peking University has continually played the essential role of pioneers in the course of China's modernization. The university's traditional emphasis on patriotism, progress, democracy, and science, together with its educational standards of diligence, precision, factualism, and innovation, have been passed down from generation to generation.

2. Discipline and Programs

Peking University now consists of five faculties: Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, Medicine, and Information and Engineering. The University has 47 colleges and departments, and offers 105 undergraduate programs, 291 graduate programs, and 249 doctoral programs. While still laying stress on basic sciences, the university has paid special attention to the development of applied sciences. In October 2010, there were 14,810 undergraduates, 12,082 postgraduates and 6,838 doctoral candidates. There were also on campus approximately 2,326 long-term international students from 80 countries. Among them, there was 1,836 Degree-Seeking students.

3. Academic Facilities and Scientific Research

Peking University is proud of its outstanding faculty, including 53 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 7 members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and 14 members of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). The Peking University library is the largest university library in Asia, with a collection of 7.7 million books, and Chinese and foreign journals and newspapers. The library also serves as a comprehensive modern information center. Peking University is also famous for outstanding research facilities and high qualifying teachers and researchers with extensive research interests and profound knowledge. Today the University has 5,866 full-time faculties, of whom 1,701are professors and 2,037 are associate professors, 60 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Science, and 8 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. At present, Peking University has 11 national key laboratories, 46 state key laboratories, 2 national engineering research centers and 8 affiliated hospitals and health centers.

4.Great Achievement

Peking University is a member of the C9 League, analogous to the Ivy League in the United States, and often ranked among the top higher education institutions in China. Among its faculty, 53 are members of the prestigious Chinese Academy of Sciences, and seven of the equivalent academy of engineering. Due to its achievements in teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook, the 2016-2017 Times Higher Education World University rankings has placed Peking University on 29th position in the world university rankings, 21st on world reputation rankings, and 2nd in Asia university rankings. Regarding the subject ranking, engineering and technology disciples of Peking university was ranked 12th worldwide.

Over the few decades, more than 400 Peking University alumni had become presidents of other major Chinese universities, including former Tsinghua President Luo Jialun, Renmin University President Yuan Baohua, Zhejiang University President Qian Sanqiang, Fudan University President Zhang Zhirang, Nankai University President Teng Weizao, Chinese University of Science and Technology President Guan Weiyan and many others.

5. Communication and International Cooperation

Peking University places great importance on academic exchange and cooperation with foreign universities, research institutes and multinational enterprises. The university has signed agreements with more than 200 universities in 50 countries and regions. In 2005, Peking University and Cornell University signed an agreement formally establishing the China and Asia-Pacific Studies major at Cornell. One year later, Peking University launched a joint undergraduate program with Yale University; students will spend a semester overseas, living and studying together with the host institute's students. Peking University's School of International Studies also launched joint degree programs with London School of Economics, Waseda University, Seoul National University, and the University of Tokyo. Peking University also has a longstanding relationship with Stanford University, which operates a joint research center and base for Stanford students and scholars at the Stanford Center at Peking University.

 

 

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