THE LEGACY OF A LEADING LIGHT SERVING PUBLIC WELFARE

Benefi ting society is integral to both China’s representative on the drafting education and research programmes at committee for the Universal Declaration FROM CHINA Nankai.  e founding of the university on Human Rights, and Franklin Ho, by renowned educators, Yan Xiu and a forerunner of China’s economic Zhang Boling, was designed to bring research, for example.  ese innovative modern education to contribute to faculty members and students made China’s revitalization, by providing Nankai a hub of modern ideas, culture pillars of society. and science. Nankai soon rose to be a Its famous alumni include Zhou prestigious university. Enlai, the fi rst Premier of the People’s In wartime, Nankai was relocated Republic of China, who was admitted to southwest China with Peking to Nankai in 1919, and Guo Yonghuai, University and Tsinghua University, to an expert in aerodynamics who forged form National Southwestern Associated modern mechanics and aeronautics in University, which cultivated Nobel China, to name a few. laureates in physics, Chen-Ning Yang In the 1920s and 1930s, Nankai and Tsung-Dao Lee. Later, Nankai was had gathered esteemed scholars to re-established in Tianjin, and was active teach, including Peng-chun Chang, in education reform after the founding a philosopher, playwright, and of the People’s Republic of China. ince its founding in 1919, Nankai up the mantle of useful research. The team education institutions in the country. With 26 Encouraging students’ sense of social University has forged a strong led by chemist, Li Zhengming, has developed colleges and 92 undergraduate programmes, commitment, Nankai also o ers diverse academic reputation. Known as the a ordable green, e ective pesticides that it also has 21 national-level key research platforms for field trips and internships, which ‘North Star’ among China’s higher increase farming profits. Research results institutions in natural sciences and seven in enable students to continue learning by putting NANKAI’S MANY BREAKTHROUGHS educationS institutions, it has gathered many by Nankai researchers have also been used social sciences. theories and knowledge into practice. Field trips academic leaders over the years, and inspired in technology to detect hazardous gases on In 2017, the university was selected into the and social service activities organized by the generations of students, building a model for spacecra , such as Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2, national ‘double first-class’ initiative. Being an university also support poverty alleviation in IN CHINA’S HIGHER EDUCATION higher education in China. Aimed at making an contributing to China’s manned space active player at the forefront of China’s higher China’s underdeveloped regions, with a public impact on society, the university has produced programme. education evolution, centennial Nankai is spirit ethos underpinning its teaching. Shiing-Shen Chern became the first high- many results that have brought significant Other recent breakthroughs include the paving its way to a new scientific excellence by The first economic calibre international socioeconomic benefits. use of robotic technology in cell micro- self-reform and innovation. research institute in GOING GLOBAL 1927 1984 expert invited from China “We emphasize public values, capabilities, manipulation, leading to the birth of the world’s As part of the ‘seeking excellence’ plan, Pushing Nankai into the ranks of world-class abroad after China's and innovation,” says Cao Xuetao, the first robot-cloned piglets; the development the university is to capitalize on its existing universities was integral to the ultimate goal of reforms university’s president. “These are integral to of organic solar cells that set a new record in strengths in natural sciences, humanities and early founders of Nankai. In its early years, the our Nankai spirit.” Now, under the ‘seeking sunlight-to-electricity conversion e iciency; social sciences, enhance its edge in engineering university attracted many world-class scholars of The first chemistry excellence’ plan, these core ideals are guiding the discovery of novel molecular mechanisms and biomedicine, and boost the development the time and produced many renowned alumni. research institution Enrolled the first class Nankai University toward further greatness. underlying inflammatory immune responses, of emerging interdisciplinary fields, seeking to As China’s reform was taking shape in the 1962 among Chinese 1988 of graduate students in contributing to progresses in immunotherapy; address national strategic needs. 1980s, the university continued attracting world- universities after the actuarial science CONTINUALLY INNOVATING e icient synthesis of a natural product that class scholars from abroad, including renowned founding of PRC The dramatized story of a Nankai University can be used to treat glioma, a category of brain CULTIVATING CAPABLE TALENT mathematician, Shiing-Shen Chern, also a Established a national pioneer has enthralled theatre audiences across tumour; and the development of automated The emphasis on public values, capabilities Nankai alumnus, who was regarded as the ‘father The first sociology thinktank, dedicated to China, and symbolizes the institution’s value to bridge crane systems that have significantly and innovation is also at the core of education of modern di erential geometry’, and Florence programme among APEC research, providing the country. The play is based on the story of improved work e iciency and safety. at Nankai. Providing a quality environment for Chia-ying Yeh, a scholar of classical Chinese comprehensive universities 1981 1995 policy advisory services its former president, Yang Shixian, a chemistry These research results have put Nankai the 30,000-plus students, allowing them ample poetry. With strengthened ties with international since China’s reform and for China’s participation in opening-up pioneer who spearheaded the development among the top 10 in China in the Nature Index freedom for academic exploration, including academic communities, Nankai is increasing its economic cooperation of China’s first-generation organic pesticides, annual tables released in 2019, and 47th among interdisciplinary innovation, is considered a global influence. and founded the Institute of Elemento-Organic global academic institutions. Its chemistry fundamental remit at Nankai. The university In 2016, the university launched a ‘Global Founded China’s first Chemistry at Nankai. His influential work is ranked 10th globally among academic encourages its world-class researchers to Nankai’ plan, aiming to build its global reputation The first department for institution dedicated to has drawn many talented young researchers, institutions in the Nature Index. In 2018, Nankai participate in undergraduate teaching, leading by making its talent training, faculty, research and tourism studies among 1982 1997 corporate governance who in turn, cultivated many bright students, had eight scholars selected as Clarivate ‘highly- to many popular classes well received among campus more international. With the launch of Chinese universities research putting Nankai on the map as China’s ‘cradle of cited researchers’ of the year. It is also a leading students. the ‘seeking excellence’ plan in its centennial year, chemists’, a reputation it still enjoys. Chinese university in the number of citations Being able to participate in research it is poised to become a world-class university. Yang’s story typifies Nankai’s historic in the recent 10 years of its cumulative papers innovations, Nankai’s undergraduates have won Its commitment to contributing to public welfare commitment to research that aims to address published in Science Citation Indexed journals. many competitions. They are also encouraged in and progress has extended beyond China. Just The first environmental Established Collaborative socioeconomic development needs. Later As a national research and teaching centre, entrepreneurship, and are given opportunities as science has no national borders, nor does 1983 science department among 2012 Innovation Centre for China

generations of Nankai researchers have taken Nankai is one of the most comprehensive higher to win funding for their startups. ©NANKAI UNIVERSITY Nankai’s remit to serve and inspire.  comprehensive universities Economy