Chongqing University is a national key university directly subordinate to the Ministry of Education, and is also a high-level research-based comprehensive university under the “211 Project” and “Project 985”. The University is located in Shapingba, Chongqing, an area well known for its diversified and rich culture in the economic center of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and a major commercial town in southwest China.
Chongqing University was founded in 1929. In 1940s, the University has already developed into a state-owned comprehensive university with 6 schools, including the School of Arts, the School of Sciences, the School of Engineering, the School of Commerce, the School of Law and the School of Medicine. Distinguished scholars including Ma Yinchu, Li Siguang, He Lu, Feng Jian, Ke Zhao, Wu Mi and Wu Guanzhong have all served as a teacher here. After the nationwide adjustment of university schools and departments in 1952, Chongqing University was listed as one of the multidisciplinary universities focusing on engineering courses directly under the Ministry of Education of China. In 1960, it was identified as a national key university. In May 2000, the old Chongqing University, Chongqing Jianzhu University and Chongqing Architecture College merged into the new Chongqing University.
Chongqing University now has 35 schools, under six faculties in Science, Social Sciences, Humanities, Engineering, Built Environment, Information Science and Technology. There is also the Graduate School, School of Continuing Education, School of Network Education and the School of City Science.
The University has been sticking to the strategy of international development, and has been maintaining sound and long-term cooperation relationship with 125 famous universities in more than 20 countries, such as the USA, the UK, France, Germany and Russia, and a number of foreign and oversea companies and research institutions such as Rockwell, Microsoft, Siemens, Republic New York Corporation, Tokyo Foundation and Hong Kong Meishi Power Group. Many officials of international organizations, important members of the state government, celebrities, and presidents of internationally well-known universities have paid a visit to the University. Novel Prize winners including John Hall, Ada Yonath, Robert Mundell, George F.Smoot, Albert Fert, Danielle Shechtman, Kenneth J.Arrow, James Mirrlees and Akira Suzuki, and other globally distinguished scholars have visited the University and delivered lectures. The University was designated by the Ministry of Education to receive students with scholarship granted by the state government, and serves as one of the first “demonstration bases for international students studying in China” identified by the Ministry of Education. By now, it has accepted international students from 139 countries in 5 continents, such as the USA, Canada, Italy, France, Belgium, Russia, the UK, Germany, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Congo and Tanzania. In addition, it has also set up Confucius Institute in Betong in Thailand, Pisa of Italy, and La Trobe University of Australia, as a part of its distinguished contribution to the Chinese language teaching, Chinese and foreign education, and cultural communication and cooperation.
Chongqing University upholds the schooling mission to “conduct rigorous research, cultivate talents, enlighten masses, and guide the revitalization of the society”, promotes “tolerance, simplicity, hardworking and patriotism” as its spirit, advocates “union, diligence, truth and innovation” as its ethos, and “constant learning, refinement, truth seeking and novelty” as its style of study and sticks to its education philosophy of “taking root in Chongqing, finding a foothold in the Southwest, facing the West，serving the whole nation and stepping towards the world". It is committed to implementation of the goal to build a “world-class university and first-class discipline”, in an ultimate effort to build a world-class university with Chinese characteristics.
