Xiamen University
Xiamen University was founded in 1921 by Tan Kah Kee, the well-known patriotic
overseas Chinese leader. It was the first university in China founded by an
overseas Chinese. At present it is the only key comprehensive university
directly affiliated with the Education Ministry in any of the five special
economic zones and is one of China 's higher-level universities designated for
the state key construction of the “211 Project” and the “985 Project”.
With its 18 schools
containing 45 departments and a group of research institutes, Xiamen University
has a high-standard staff of 2,213 teachers, with professors and associate
professors.
The university now has a total enrollment of over 3, 3000
full-time students on campus, including 18,989 undergraduates, 10,591 master
students, and 1,810 doctoral students. In 2005, Xiamen University passed
National Undergraduate Teaching Assessment with a result of all excellence. Up
until now, it has set up more than 80 research institute, which ensures its
outstanding achievements in scientific research, especially in humanity,
sociology, Taiwan research, South Asia research, economy, and accounting, etc.
Xiamen University has established inter-university cooperative ties with over
100 institutions of higher education outside mainland China. In 2005, over 1600
long-term and short-term overseas students studied here.
With three campuses,
Xiamen University covers a total area of 7868 mu, about 524.3 hectors. Situated
at the foot of the green mountains, facing the blue sea and encircling Xiamen
bay, it is believed to be the most beautiful university in main land China. At
present, the university has students’ residential space of over 1,300,000 square
meters, a library with 3,750,000 volumes. The scope and level of its high-speed
campus information network ranks as one of the tops of all universities in
China
Xiamen University is now making great strides towards its goal of
"building a high-level university well-known both at home and abroad." (Updated
in April, 2006)
History
1921:
founded by Mr. Tan Kah-Kee
1937: given its charter as a public
university
1952: designated a comprehensive university for the
social and natural sciences
1963: designated a national key
university
1986: initial trials of the Graduate
School
1995: put on "211 Project" list
1996:
authorised by the Education Ministry as one of the first group of universities to set up a graduate school
2001: listed under
the "985 Project"
2004: granted status of "National
vice-ministerial university"
University Motto: "Pursue
excellence, strive for perfection"