Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University or Qinghua University (simplified Chinese: 清华大学; traditional Chinese: 清華大學; pinyin: Qīnghuá Dàxué; 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 belonging to a prince, 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. The faculty members for sciences were recruited via YMCA from The United States and its graduates transfered directly to American shcools as juniors upon their graduation. In 1925, a four-year college program was established, and the school had developed into a prestigious four-year university since then.
When the war broke between China and Japan in 1937, Tsinghua University, along with Peking University and Nankai University, merged to form Changsha Temporary University in Changsha, and later Southwest United University in Kunming. After the war, Tsinghua moved back to Beijing and resumed its operation.
After the Chinese Civil War which led to a divided country, Tsinghua University was divided into Tsinghua University in Beijing and the National Tsing Hua Institute of Nuclear Technology recreated in 1955 in Hsinchu, Taiwan, which later became National Tsing Hua University.
In 1952, the government regrouped the country's higher education institutions in an attemp to build a Soviet style system. Tsinghua University lost its law school, school of agriculture, school of sciences and humanities, etc., and became a multidisciplinary polytechnic university. But since 1980's, the university began to recreate a multiversity, and a lot of schools were built or rebuilt, such as school of science, school of economy and management, school of humanity and social science, school of law, school of public administration, and school of art.
During the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976, the school became a battlefield between different sects of Mao's Red Guards and a stronghold of the radicals. It didn't resume its normal operation untill 1977 when the Cultural Revolution was officially put to an end.
Since 1977, the school has enjoyed heavy government funding and policy support, and greatly improved its facilities.
Present
Tsinghua is considered the best university in China (especially in sciences and engineering), along with its longtime rival Peking University (known for law and arts).
Tsinghua, along with Peking University, is the most competitive school for high school graduates to apply in China. Only the brightest top-ranking high school graduates from each province or city have the chance to get admission.
Many of China's top scientists, engineers, politicians and business leaders are among Tsinghua alumni.
There are also voices of critique for the fact that the school's top graduates are most likely to be found on the campuses of US schools and research institutions.
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.
School Traditions
Tsinghua stands out for its strong school traditions originated from its ealy days as a school to prepare its students for American universities. Traces of American influence can be seen in Tsinghua's school culture. Sports play a big role on campus life.
Alma Mater
The early school anthem was created by an American instructor:
O Tsing Hua, fair Tsing Hua, college bright,
May we be loyal to the purple and the white.
The school's alma mater in Chinese lyrics (by Mr. Wang Luanxiang) was composed by Mrs. Zhang HuiZhen around 1923 and became the school's official Alma Mater.
Homecoming
The last Sunday of April is Tsinghua's Homecoming Day.
School Colors
The Purple and White
Tsinghua Fight Song
Cheer for old Tsing Hua
Tsing Hua must win.
Fight to the finish,
never give in.
You do your best, boys,
we'll do the rest, boys.
Fight for the victory, Rha, Rha, Rha!
The school cheer goes: Ri-ri-ri, Rah-rah-rah! Tsinghua, Tsinghua, Tsinghua! Rah-rah-rah!
Campus
The campus of Tsinghua University is located in northwest Beijing, in the Haidian district which was designated for universities.
It is located on the former site of Qing Dynasty royal gardens and retains some Chinese-style landscaping as well as some traditional buildings, but many of its buildings are in a Western-style due to the American influence in its history. It is known throughout China for having one of the most beautiful campuses.
Famous alumni
- Qian Zhongshu - one of the most famous writers of pre-Revolutionary China, wrote Fortress Besieged
- Shiing-shen Chern - mathematician, Wolf Prize winner (1984)
- Chen Ning Yang - physicist, Nobel Prize laureate (physics, 1957)
- Andrew Chi-Chih Yao - computer scientist, Turing Award winner (2000)
- 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
See also: List of universities in Mainland China
External link
- Official website (English version)