Fudan University

Fudan University
Original: Fudan University Vector: Prcmise · Public domain · source
Name	Fudan University
Established	1905
Type	Public
President	Jin Li
City	Shanghai
Country	China
Affiliations	C9 League, Universitas 21, Association of Pacific Rim Universities

Fudan University is a major public research university located in Shanghai, China. Founded in 1905 as Fudan Public School, it is a member of the elite C9 League and is directly funded by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in Asia and is renowned for its strengths in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and medical sciences.

History

The institution was founded in 1905 by the esteemed educator Ma Xiangbo, originally named Fudan Public School; the name "Fudan" was chosen from a classic passage in the Shangshu. It became a private university in 1917 and was notable for its early resistance to foreign missionary influence, championed by figures like Li Denghui. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the university relocated to Chongqing, returning to its Shanghai campus after the war. In 1952, a nationwide restructuring of higher education under the Chinese Communist Party saw Fudan merge with departments from other universities, including Aurora University, significantly enhancing its faculties. Key developments in its modern history include the establishment of its Fudan University School of Medicine in 2000 through a merger with the former Shanghai Medical University, and its selection for the national "Project 985" and "Double First-Class University Plan".

Academics

Fudan is organized into over 30 schools and departments, spanning a comprehensive range of disciplines. It is particularly distinguished in fields such as Chinese literature, theoretical economics, political science, international relations, mathematics, and physics. The university's medical school maintains a prestigious affiliation with major hospitals like Zhongshan Hospital and Huashan Hospital. Fudan hosts numerous national key laboratories and research centers, including the State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics and the Institute of Modern Physics. It is a founding member of the C9 League and maintains active international partnerships through networks such as Universitas 21 and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. The university confers a wide array of degrees, from bachelor's to doctorates, and its press, Fudan University Press, is a leading academic publisher.

Campus

The university's main campus is located in the Yangpu District of Shanghai, centered around Handan Road. This campus features historic landmarks like the Guanghua Tower and the Zibing Building. A significant modern expansion is the Jiangwan Campus, located in the Yangpu District, which houses advanced scientific research facilities. The Fenglin Campus is the primary site for the medical school and its affiliated hospitals, including the aforementioned Zhongshan Hospital. Additionally, the Zhangjiang Campus is integrated into the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, focusing on disciplines like microelectronics, pharmaceutical sciences, and software engineering. The university's libraries, including the main Fudan University Library, collectively hold millions of volumes.

Notable alumni and faculty

The university's community includes a remarkable number of influential figures across various sectors. In politics and public service, alumni include former Premier Li Lanqing, former Vice Premier Wang Qishan, and Tung Chee-hwa, the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong. In academia and science, notable faculty and alumni have included mathematician Su Buqing, physicist Xie Xide, and economist Zhang Jun. The literary world counts writers such as Yu Guangzhong among its alumni. Leaders in business and technology include Chen Tianqiao, founder of Shanda Interactive Entertainment, and Zhang Lei, founder of Hillhouse Capital Management.

Rankings and reputation

Fudan University is perennially ranked as one of the top universities in China and the world. In major global rankings, it typically places within the top 100, often ranking third in mainland China after Tsinghua University and Peking University. It holds high positions in subject-specific rankings, especially for clinical medicine, engineering, and the social sciences. Domestically, its selection for the "Double First-Class University Plan" and its status in the C9 League cement its reputation. The university is highly selective, with its Gaokao admission scores among the highest nationally, and it is a major destination for recipients of prestigious scholarships like the Chinese Government Scholarship.

Category:Universities and colleges in Shanghai Category:C9 League Category:Educational institutions established in 1905