Nankai University was founded in 1919 by the famous patriotic educators in Chinese Modern History, Mr. Zhang Boling and Mr. Yan Xiu. During the War of Resistance against Japan, Nankai University, Peking University and Tsinghua University united in Kunming to be the renowned Southwest Associated University. It was compared to be “The North Star of Higher Learning”. The University has produced batches of prominent talents such as late Premier Zhou Enlai, Dr. Xingsheng Chern, Dr. Dayou Wu and Mr. Cao Yu. On December 25th, 2000 the State Ministry of Education signed an agreement with Tianjin Municipal Government on jointly establishing and developing Nankai University. Since then, Nankai University has been listed among universities being attached great importance for developing in the 21st century.

Nankai University is considered a comprehensive university with a complete curriculum that includes the humanities, natural sciences, technology, life sciences, medical sciences and the arts. The University believes in the equal importance of the sciences and the liberal arts, laying a strong foundation with practical and creative characteristics. The University has 19 faculties, including a Graduate School, China APEC Institute, School for Continuing Education, Advanced Vocational School and Modern Distance Education School. Nankai University offers 71 undergraduate specialties, 202 Master’s programs, 117 Doctoral programs, 17 Post-Doctoral research stations and 12 authorized basic specialties. Besides, there are 18 national key specialties, 14 provincial and municipal key specialties and so on..

Nankai University has a well-balanced faculty team in age and specialties, being equipped with excellent academic capability and creative spirit. Among the 1,614 faculties, there are 470 Doctoral supervisors, 578 full professors and 619associate professors, 8 academicians of Chinese Academy of Science, 3 academicians of The 3rd World Academy of Science, 10 members of the Subject Assessment Division, Degree Appraisal Committee of the State Council, 14 nationally accredited experts with outstanding contributions, 18 professors invited on “Cheung Kong Scholar Award program”, 7 lecture professors invited on “Cheung Kong Scholar Award program”, 5 specially invited professors by Tianjin municipality, 23 recipients of National Outstanding Youth Foundation and so on..

Nankai University is the center for both education and academic research. In academic research, not only the basic science research has been made full use, but also the applied science research is paid great attention. A large number of achievements have been made and acknowledged home and abroad. The number of national social science projects and those under the ministry of education, the funds allocated and the awarded achievements are all in the advanced position among the universities of China. In 2003, three research fruits were awarded the national second prize. The “Star of Nankai” supercomputer designed and made mutually by Nankai University and IBM has got through the testing by experts with a running speed of 3.231TFlops, the fastest speed by far in China. Nankai University actively takes the advantages of disciplines, technology, talents and information to enhance the industrialization and commercialization of research fruits serving for the national and local economy and social development. Some research institutes like China APEC Institute and School of Economic & Social Development have become the “Think Tank” and “Talents Cradle” for central and local governments.

Nankai University has broad international communications by establishing exchanging and collaborative relationships with more than 100 universities and academic institutions. Nobel Laureates Chen Ning Yang, Tsung-Dao Lee, Samuel Chao Chung Ting, Robert A. Mundell, and Reinhard Selton as well as former President of Korea Kim Dae Jung and former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger were all conferred Honorary Professors of Nankai University. Many other world-known scholars and entrepreneurs have been invited as Visiting Professors of Nankai University. The Great Mathematician Dr. Xiing Sheng Chern has resided at Nankai Campus, attracting a large number of talented Mathematicians known home and abroad. Nankai University has thus become one of the most famous mathematician centers in the world.

Nankai University focuses on the students’ all-round capability and creativity in teaching and education. It established a complete educational system by connecting class teaching, scientific experiments, academic activities and social practice. A flexible educational system has been set up, including the system of credits, system of “major plus minor” education and double degrees. More freedom has been given to courses selection and major or department transferring. Emphasis has been laid on cultivating excellent talents to meet the social demands and serve the economic development. Nankai has perfectly combined “class teaching—campus culture—social practice” and made it the basis for cultivating students. Our late Premier Zhou Enlai, Nankai prominent alumni, has been the model for all students to form a healthy disposition with high morality, spirit of creativity and the practical capability.

More than 70 kinds of scholarships are offered by the University. Every year up to 50% students are awarded scholarships in different levels on entering the school. Loans, stipends to poor students and part-time jobs to earn tuition as well as the donations from all social fields have provided strong support to students from low-income families to finish their study. Nankai University is known for the aspiring spirits, attaching great importance to the students’all-round development in moral, intelligence, physical education and esthetics. It has created rich, elegant, dynamic and aspiring campus culture for the students to develop in healthy ways.