Nanjing University (NJU; simplified Chinese: 南京大学; traditional Chinese: 南京大學; pinyin: Nánjīng Dàxué), formerly romanized as Nanking University, is a major research university in Nanjing, China. It was founded in 1902 as the first higher education institution in modern China. NJU is one of the oldest and most selective universities in China. It is a member of both Project 985 and Project 211, key initiatives launched by the government to enhance the country’s higher education system.
NJU consists of two campuses, Xianlin and Gulou, which cover over 2200 acres (890 hectares) and contain 36 schools and departments offering undergraduate, graduate, professional degree programs. The university has 12 affiliated hospitals providing medical care to its students and staff. A total of over 80 thousand full-time students are enrolled at NJU including over 29 thousand undergraduate students, 3 thousand doctoral candidates, 8 thousand master’s degree candidates, 40 thousand international students from more than 140 countries around the world.
As one of China’s leading research universities, Nanjing University houses many state key laboratories designated by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology as well as other national institutions such as National Space Agency Center for Gravitational Experiments (CGEX). The university also offers opportunities for entrepreneurs with incubators and venture capital funds available on both campuses. In addition to its academic excellence, NJU is also renowned for its beautiful campus grounds which feature weeping willows along stone bridges crossing canals dotted with lotus flowers – an iconic scene often associated with classical Chinese gardens