Xiamen University
1.Introduction
Xiamen University, located in Xiamen, Fujian province, is the first university in China founded by overseas Chinese. Before 1949, it was originally known as the University of Amoy. The university is one of many comprehensive universities directly administered by the Chinese Ministry of Education. 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.
1.1 History
In 1919, Mr. Tan kah kee, the well-known overseas Chinese leader, donated millions of dollars to establish and endow Xiamen University, officially founded in 1921. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious and selective universities in China.
Mr. Tan handed over Xiamen 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 temporary relocated to Changting in Min Xi county, western Fujian.
At the end of World War II in 1946, Xiamen University moved back to Xiamen and resumed normal operations.
In 1952, Xiamen University became a comprehensive university, and has been designated as a national key university since 1962. Then, in 1952 it became a comprehensive university embracing both arts and science. In 1963, it was designated as a state key university. 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.
1.2 School Motto
Over the past eighty six years, as the result of following the school motto "Pursue Excellence, Strive for Perfection", Xiamen University has accumulated rich experience in offering its educational programs and has presented its different features in running the programs. Equipped with a strong team of faculty and staff, Xiamen University, which provides a fairly complete range of programs of education, has become a first-class comprehensive university in China with a mass of international influence. Since its founding, Xiamen University has produced more than 140,000 undergraduates and graduates for the country.
1.3 Teachers
Xiamen University has a high level team of faculty and staff including 2,282 full-time faculty and professional researchers. Many of them own the honour of the "Leading Figure for the New Century ". With so many excellent teachers, Xiamen University will have a bright future.
Xiamen University has set up over 80 research institutions, including 2 State Key Laboratories, 1 State Engineering Research Center 4 Education Ministry Key Laboratories, and 5 state key research bases in humanities and social science. In 2005, the Science Park of Xiamen University was recognized as a state university science park by the Ministry of Education. Xiamen University has strong potentiality in human and science research. Taiwan studies, Southeast Asian studies, economic studies, and accounting studies are at the highest tier among domestic universities.
1.4 Student.
The university now has a total enrollment of over 35,000 full-time students on campus, including 20,195 undergraduates, 12,213 master students, 2,023 doctoral students, and over 1200 international students. In 2005, Xiamen University received a straight-A score in the undergraduate level Teaching Appraisal organized by the Ministry of Education and in the later years it also keep a good level in China.
1.4.1 Students' impression of OEC
Students at the University are well disciplined, not leaving litter or spitting. As I wander around the campus, I often see people cleaning up, creating a clean environment on the campus. In the
