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Tsinghua University

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Tsinghua University, (Simplified Chinese: }}}; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Ch'ing-hua Ta-hsüeh) is one of the most prestigious and selective universities in China. Established in 1911 as a preparatory school for Chinese graduates pursuing further studies at American universities, Qinghua developed into a university in 1925 offering four-year undergraduate and post-graduate programs.

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History

The Tsinghua School
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 and was later refunded. 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 by the YMCA from the United States and its graduates transferred directly to American schools as juniors upon their graduation. In 1925, a four-year college program was established, and the school has 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 National Southwestern 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 Ting Hua University.

The Tsinghua Bell
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The Tsinghua Bell

In 1952, the government regrouped the country's higher education institutions in an attempt 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 the 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 Economics and Management, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, 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 until 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

Built in 1917, The Grand Auditorium is the centerpiece of the old campus
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Built in 1917, The Grand Auditorium is the centerpiece of the old campus

Most Chinese university rankings place Tsinghua first in China. It is usually considered the best university in China for engineering, and business. Its longtime rival Peking University is more known for law, arts, science and medicine.

Admission to Tsinghua is highly competitive. The majority of selected students are national scholars and among the brightest high school graduates in the country.

Many of China's top scientists, engineers, politicians and business leaders are among Tsinghua alumni.

There are voices of critique that nowadays, the school's top graduates are more likely to enroll at prestigious US schools and research institutions.

As 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. Each year, the University celebrates the Intellectual Property Summer Institute in cooperation with Franklin Pierce Law Center of Concord, New Hampshire.

School Traditions

The Old Gate is a symbol of Tsinghua University
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The Old Gate is a symbol of Tsinghua University

Tsinghua stands out for its strong and unigue school traditions originated from its early 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 Tsinghua , fair Tsinghua, college bright,
May we be loyal to the purple and the white.

The school's Alma Mater with Chinese lyrics (by Mr. Wang Luanxiang) was composed by Mrs. Zhang Huizhen around 1923 and became the school's official Alma Mater.

Anniversary and Homecoming

The last Sunday of April is Tsinghua's anniversry and Homecoming (Xiao-Qing) Day.

School Colors

Purple and White

Tsinghua Fight Song

Cheer for old Tsinghua
Tsinghua 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 modern administrative building
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The modern administrative building

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 reflecting the American influence in its history. It is known throughout China for having one of the most beautiful campuses.

Tsinghua People

Famous Alumni

Famous Faculty

Global Partnership

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
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External link

 

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