Why Study at Tianjin University, China
Founded in 1895 as Peiyang University, Tianjin University (TJU) is the first modern university in China. As the pioneer of modern higher education in China, TJU has been committed to the mission of revitalizing this country through education ever since its foundation. Fighting arduously in keeping up with this mission, TJU proudly upholds the motto "Seeking Truth from Facts" while the faculty follows the guideline of precise learning and strict teaching. To this day, over 200,000 outstanding individuals have been educated at TJU. They contributed greatly to the progress in science and technology as well as to the prosperity of the country. TJU has been a National Key University since 1959 when the first 16 universities were so designated by the government. It is also among the first group of universities to be included into the "211" and "985" Projects of national investment for developing world class universities. Now, TJU has grown into a world recognized research university with distinctive qualities and strengths in education, research and social service.
1. History
The 120-year history of Tianjin University is the epitome of the progress of Chinese modern higher education. Established in 1895 with the name of Peiyang University, Tianjin University is the first university in China and plays an important role in modern Chinese higher education. The contribution of Peiyang University and Peiyang people to modern Chinese history, including political, economic, educational history and the development of modern Chinese science and technology should never be overlooked. In 1895, Sheng Xuanhuai, as an Intendant (Governor) of Tianjin Customs of that time, asked Superior Prefecture Wang Wenshao, the Governor-General of Zhili (now Hebei Province) and Peiyang Grand Minister to report to the Qing Court. After acquiring sanction from the Emperor, and with the assistance of Dr. Charles Danile Tenney, an American educator, Sheng founded the first new-type university in modern China – Peiyang Western Study School, i.e. Peiyang University (today's Tianjin University), in Tianjin, where Westernization Movement originated. Thus, the history of education in China started a new era. From October 2nd, 1895, Peiyang University has undergone a course of more than a century, accumulated valuable experience for the development of Chinese higher education and cultivated a large number of elites for the modernization of China.
2. Vibrant Campus
Tianjin University’s student life is a vibrant melting pot of complete sports and recreation facilities, nearly 300 student clubs and societies, music opportunities nearly every week, socializing in trendy restaurants, coffee shops and bars, convenient stay with on-campus apartments, groceries, supermarkets, post-office and banks, etc.
3. Strong Faculty of World Class
It is true that the development of a university depends on substantial conditions and environment, however, the key to it is the masters of the university. From the very beginning, Tianjin University followed the models of top universities in western countries, hiring native and foreign experts and masters as professors in their respective fields. Except Chinese courses and some foreign language courses which were taught by Chinese teachers, all core courses of western advanced science and technology were taught by foreign professors. Most of the Chinese faculty was overseas graduates returned in the early years, like Wang Shaolian, a Peiyang Naval Institute graduate returning from Britain. Foreign faculty mainly consisted of Americans who were graduates from top American universities, such as Stanford and MIT. They were recommended by their professors in response to the letter of invitation written by Dr. Charles Daniel Tenney, the General Supervisor (Acting President) of Peiyang University. The teachers gave instruction in English and adopted original English text books. "So in the early days of the university, Peiyang University could rival Harvard or Yale in teaching." "The first batch of Peiyang graduates was qualified to go directly to the graduate schools of famous American universities for future study." Due to its great achievements, Peiyang faculty was awarded by the Qing government several times.
4. Academic Excellence and High-quality Research
Tianjin University was the first to fully adopt western university system in China. Upon its beginning, it ran according to American model, where western learning was mainly taught. Over 120 years, the University has established a reputation as one of the leading research and teaching centers in China. The University gives precedence to the study of engineering and focuses on integrating science with engineering. It has developed a balanced offering of disciplines including economics, management, literary arts, law, and education. Five disciplines at the university rank in the top 1% of Essential Science Indicators: material science, chemistry, engineering, physics, biology and biochemistry.
5. Cosmopolitan Community
Situated in the heart of Tianjin City, one of the four municipalities directly under the Central Government of China, the University offers an unrivalled student experience in a thriving, cosmopolitan community which will set the scene for the rest of your life. Known as a microcosm of modern China, Tianjin has been selected as the best commercial city and the most creative city in mainland China, also one of top ten Charming Tourist City in the nation.
6. Achievements
Tianjin University had adequate scientific and engineering equipment, with special emphasis on engineering. "All the books, samples, devices and various equipment for probing and analyzing experiments needed by the departments of science, geology, mining and metallurgy, civil engineering and mechanics were purchased from the United States and Germany and must be replenished the next year, which made Peiyang University a university with the most adequate scientific and engineering equipment in China, creating good learning and practicing conditions for students." Meanwhile, in summer vacations, students had the opportunities to go on field trips to factories and mines with their tutors. "Thus instead of empty talking, students in Peiyang University admire real talent and sound scholarship. They are able to use what they have learned at school and earnestly practice what they have advocated." The early graduates of Peiyang University attained excellent records for examination organized by Ministry of Education of the government of Qing Dynasty, ranking high among other contemporary higher learning institutions in China.
7. International Communication and Cooperation
The Section of International Exchange at Tianjin University is responsible for facilitating international communication and promoting cooperation and exchanges with universities and organizations from across the globe. The specific responsibilities are as follows.
To establish relations of Tianjin University with overseas universities, institutions and multinational corporations, including the signing of agreements or MoUs on university level;
To coordinate discussions and negotiations on international cooperation programs on university level, and supervise the implementation of those programs;
To cooperate with overseas partners on the inbound & outbound student programs, including the exchange program, visiting student program, short-term training program, etc.
To coordinate international visits to and from Tianjin University and provide necessary services to these visits, like interpretation;
To help organize the international and academic conferences hosted by Tianjin University;
To maintain the OIC website;
To design and compile Tianjin University English brochure, folder and other necessary English materials.
The final information is subject to the University If there is any discrepancy!
