Brief Introduction
Tongji University, listed on “Project 985” and “Project 211”, is one of the leading universities directly under the direct administration of State Ministry of Education. At present, there are schools and departments covering the subjects of sciences, engineering, medicine, literature, arts, law, economics, management, philosophy and pedagogy. With a history of over a century, Tongji has valued the balanced development of four functions, i.e. education, research, outreach, and culture inheritance and innovation.
1. Long History
The history of Tongji University can be traced back to 1907 when German Medical School was founded by Erich Paulun, a German doctor in Shanghai. After being renamed Tongji German Medical School in the following year, it was formally established as a university in 1923. It became National Tongji University in 1927, one of the seven earliest national universities of China. Around 1949, Tongji already boasted five colleges of natural sciences, engineering, medical science, liberal arts and law, and enjoyed a fine reputation as a comprehensive university both home and abroad. Following a nationwide campaign of restructuring universities in 1952, Tongji became an engineering-intensive university with top-notch strength in civil engineering and architecture, which is second to none in terms of scale and number of disciplines.
Since 1978, “two transforms” were launched, namely, the transforming to an international university by restoring links to Germany, and the transforming from a university focusing mainly on civil engineering to multi-disciplinary engineering university. In 1995, Tongji declared to be jointly built by the Ministry of Education and the Shanghai Municipal Government. By 2007 when it was celebrating its centennial, Tongji University had become a comprehensive, international, research-oriented university with distinct features and global influence. In 2013, the university proposed its vision of “a sustainability-oriented, world-class university”.
2. Strong Faculty
Tongji University now covers 10 broad categories of academic disciplines, including engineering, science, medicine, management, economics, philosophy, literature, law, education and arts. The number of faculty stands at 2,786, of which 855 are professors, and 997 associate professors. The university now registers 18,581 full-time undergraduate students, 13,762 graduate students, and 4,279 PhD candidates. Another 2,197 international students are pursuing their degrees here.
3. Programs, Discipline Construction and Achievements
Tongji University offers 75 undergraduate majors (50 of which are enrolling students according to 17 broad disciplinary categories). It can grant master degrees in 55 broad academic disciplines, together with 15 professional Master’s programs and 26 engineering Master’s programs. It also grants PhD degrees in 31 broad academic disciplines with 3 professional PhD programs and 25 post-doctoral mobile research stations. Of all the disciplines, 3 are first-level national key disciplines, 7 second-level national key disciplines, 3 second-level national key disciplines (incubated), and 17 first-level Shanghai disciplines. There are 3 State Key Laboratories, 1 National Engineering Lab, 5 National Engineering (Technology) Research Centers, and 26 ministerial/provincial-level key labs and engineering (technology) research centers as well as 7 affiliated hospitals and 4 affiliated high schools.
Tongji University has been one of the most popular universities in the country, attracting a large number of students from all parts of China and all over the world. In particular, it has become the number one choice of those who are pursuing a career in the field of architecture and civil engineering.
4. Colorful Campus Life
The student life in different campuses of Tongji University is interesting and buzzing with energy. There are clubs of various kinds that you may wish to join. Are you interested in singing Chinese folk operas? You may join the Kunqu Club where you will have a unique chance of learning Kunqu from professional Masters of Kunqu. Do you want to try your hand at Chinese Gongfu? The classes are catered to your needs.
5. Outstanding Alumni
Since its founding, Tongji University has turned out nearly 300,000 graduates, among which many are extraordinary political leaders, scientists, educators, social activists, business leaders, medical specialists, and engineering technology experts. Over 140 alumni are academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, or the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
International Communication and Cooperation
Tongji University actively expands the width and depth of its international exchange. Based on traditional cooperation with Germany, the university expands its collaboration with major European countries, actively explores cooperation opportunities in North America, partner with universities in major Asian countries and regions, and extends its influence to Africa, thus formulating an international exchange and cooperation framework with distinct features, wide coverage, full initiatives, and high quality.
Tongji University has established eight international cooperation platforms such as Sino-German College, and is expanding its exchange and collaboration with the US, Japan, and Australia, among others. It actively develops its cooperation with top universities and enterprises both at home and abroad by signing cooperative agreements with over 200 overseas universities and building research centers together with many world-famous companies.
To promote joint educational programs with partner universities globally, Tongji University has launched its international education programs featuring “three 600” since 2012, namely, among students participating in the Excellent Engineer Education programs, 600 will get double degrees, 600 others will get credits from foreign universities, and another 600 will gain study abroad experience. Meanwhile, a “three 300” exchange programs with partners in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are also implemented.
The final information is subject to the University If there is any discrepancy!