Nanjing University

Nanjing University’s official history traces its predecessor to Sanjiang Normal School, established in 1902. The institution passed through the names Liangjiang Normal School, Nanjing Higher Normal School, National Southeastern University, National Central University and National Nanjing University before becoming Nanjing University in 1950. During the 1952 national restructuring of higher education, it was integrated with Jinling University and retained the Nanjing University name. [1]

The university describes its work through teaching, research, social service, and cultural inheritance and innovation. Its official English site lists the Xianlin, Gulou, Pukou and Suzhou campuses, with Xianlin in Qixia District and Gulou in central Nanjing. The university’s official schools-and-departments directory spans humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, medicine, engineering, environment, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, life sciences and artificial intelligence, giving NJU the profile of a broad research university rather than a single-discipline school. [2] [3]

Nanjing University’s recent institutional priorities include research infrastructure and international collaboration. In a 2025 release covering achievements over the preceding two years, the university reported multiple national teaching awards, the integration of artificial intelligence into general education, and four new national-level scientific research and innovation platforms. It also announced joint initiatives with partners including the University of Cambridge, the University of Helsinki and international organizations, covering areas such as digital Earth, biomedical electron microscopy, modern Chinese civilization data, and digital humanities. [4]