Xiamen University

Xiamen University
Latin: Universitas Amoiensis
Former name
 Amoy University
Motto 自强不息, 止于至善[1]
Motto in English
 Pursue Excellence, Strive for Perfection[1]
Type National university
Established 1921
President Zhu Chongshi
Academic staff
 4,600+
Students 28,133
Undergraduates 17,847
Postgraduates 10,286
(PhD 1,501 Master 8,785)
Location Xiamen, Fujian, China
Campus urban, 524.3 ha
Nickname Xia Da
Affiliations Global U8 (GU8)
Website www.xmu.edu.cn

Xiamen University (simplified Chinese: 厦门大学; traditional Chinese: 廈門大學; pinyin: Xiàmén Dàxué; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ē-mn̂g Tāi-ha̍k), colloquially known as Xia Da (Chinese: 厦大; pinyin: Xià Dà), located in Xiamen, Fujian province, is the first university in China founded by overseas Chinese. Established by Tan Kah Kee in 1921, the university was originally known as Amoy University. The university is one of many comprehensive universities directly administered by the Chinese Ministry of Education.

According to University Undergraduates Teaching Assessment and Chinese Universities Evaluation Standings, the university is ranked 11th in China and has maintained a top-20 ranking in China, among which 6 subjects reach A++ level, including economics and management, fine art, law, chemistry, journalism, communication and mathematics. In addition, the School of Management is accredited by EQUIS and the Association of MBAs.

History

Panoramic view of the university
Statue of Mr. Tan Kah Kee, in front of his memorial hall located within Xiamen University.
Furong Lake
Jiannan Auditorium
Statue of Tan Kinglun, Xiamen University
The Jiannan Auditorium of Xiamen University
The Baicheng Sportsground of Xiamen University
Xiamen University
The Xiamen University campus with the "Kah Kee" building complex in the center and student dorms in the foreground
Qunxian Building

In 1919, Tan Kah Kee, a well-known overseas Chinese leader, donated millions of dollars to establish and endow Amoy University in Xiamen (then called Amoy in English), which was officially founded in 1921. Tan handed over Amoy University to the government in 1937 due to lack of funds, and the institution subsequently became a national university. In 1938, at the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the university temporarily relocated to Changting in western Fujian.

At the end of World War II in 1946, Amoy University moved back to Xiamen and resumed normal operations. In 1952 it became a comprehensive university embracing both arts and science. In 1963, it was designated as a state key university. Its English name was changed to Xiamen University in the 1970s,[2] to reflect the change of Amoy's English name to Xiamen. In 1995 it was included in the list of the 211 Project for the state key construction; in 2000 it became one of China's higher-level universities designated for the state key construction of the 985 Project.

Xiamen University has long been considered as a "diplomatic cradle" where many children of Chinese and foreign dignitaries go for their tertiary education. Although the actual reason for the high concentration of children of diplomats is unknown, it is rumored that the reason is due to the abundance of foreign national professors as well as its ease of access to southern Asian countries in case of national emergencies. Various wealthy Hong Kong families also seem to like Xiamen University as a reputable place for their children.

Campus

Xiamen University's main campus is located in Siming District in southwestern Xiamen. It is situated at the foothills of mountains, facing the ocean and surrounded by Xiamen's bay. The main campus is picturesque with beautiful scenery and parks and is one of the main tourist attractions in Xiamen, itself a popular tourist destination. The university also has campuses in Xiang'an[3][4] and Zhangzhou.

Xiamen University has a built area of 2.6 million square meters and its libraries hold 3.5 million volumes. The scope and level of its high-speed information network on campus is rated at the top of all universities in China and has become one of the main nodes of CERNET2.

Xiamen University set up its Malaysia Campus in 2015. It hence becomes the first Chinese university setting up campus overseas.

Faculties

At 1 June 2004, Xiamen University had 20 schools containing 43 departments, and many key research institutes.

Famous alumni

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Hallmarks". Xiamen University 90th Anniversary Celebration. Xiamen University. Archived from the original on 4 April 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Google Books Ngram Viewer: Amoy University, Xiamen University". Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  3. ↑ WOXnews.com (10 August 2012). "Xiang'an campus of Xiamen University to open in September". Whats on Xiamen, Inc.
  4. ↑ China Daily (10 April 2011). "Construction of Xiamen University Xiang'an Campus kicks off". Whats on Xiamen, Inc.
  5. ↑ Aizenstatd, Najman Alexander (Fall 2010). "International Law in China: The Xiamen Academy of International Law" (Special China Issue,). International Law Quarterly, Florida State Bar: 26.
  6. ↑ Xiamen Academy of International Law Website
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Coordinates: 24°26′18″N 118°05′35″E / 24.438259°N 118.093153°E / 24.438259; 118.093153

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