Winner. University of the Year 2021

Zhejiang University

Motto: Seeking Truth, Pursuing Innovation
Type: Public
Established: 1897

President: Prof. Dr. Zhaohui Wu
Academic staff: 4191
Students: 60739
Address: 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Xihu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Website: www.zju.edu.cn

Zhejiang University (ZJU) is one of China’s top higher education institutions and one of its oldest; its roots can be traced back to 1897 and the founding of the Qiushi Academy.

Located in Hangzhou – one of China’s most picturesque cities – the University is organized across seven faculties and 37 schools. It is home to 4,191 full-time faculty members, including 52 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. ZJU has 60,739 full-time students, including over 56% of postgraduate students.

Laying claim to several areas of research strength, ZJU currently ranks among the top three on the Chinese mainland and within the top 100 in the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings and QS World University Rankings. Eighteen disciplines of ZJU have been selected for China’s “Double First-class” Initiative (3rd in China), and 39 disciplines graded A in the recent national assessment (1st in China).

The University prides itself on a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. ZJU researchers are impacting many priority areas that address global challenges, including smart city, clean energy, precision medicine, and global public health initiatives related to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. ZJU is also renowned for the number of business start-ups it spins off. Over 100 of its alumni sit at the helm of domestic or overseas listed companies, making the University synonymous with excellence and leadership.

ZJU is committed to transforming China and the world through active engagement. Major innovative developments include the creation of a high-level platform for intellectual property exchange, as well as the formation of several think-tanks, including the China Academy of Western Region Development, the National Research Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, and the Institute for Public Policy, which exist to extend the scope of ZJU’s research in social sciences.

ZJU has partnerships with more than 200 institutions from more than 30 countries worldwide. Among them are such leading institutions as Imperial College London, the University of Sydney, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

With a cohort of 5,596 international students and around 8,000 faculty and students who participate annually in various overseas mobility programs, ZJU fully harnesses its extensive network to nurture talent with a global outlook. In collaboration with the Universities of Edinburgh and Illinois, it has also established the ZJU-UoE and ZJU-UIUC Institutes on Haining International Campus.

Chief among ZJU’s aims is the aspiration to become a world-class university with a distinctively Chinese character, where tradition and modernity are successfully combined.

Founded in 1897 as one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in China, Zhejiang University is now a prestigious, leading research university under the direct administration of China’s Ministry of Education. Reputed as the ‘East Cambridge’ in history, Zhejiang University has consistently been ranked among the top universities in China in terms of its academic strength shown in teaching, research, and social service. It has a long-standing commitment to seeking truth and pursuing innovation.

The University has been deeply dedicated to nurturing high-caliber innovators and future leaders for an increasingly interconnected world, encouraging interdisciplinary and creative research that addresses challenges the world faces today and translating knowledge and creativity to benefit wider communities.

Over a history spanning more than 120 years, ZJU has been firmly embedded in the dynamics of a fast-growing country, where the University’s enterprising and forward-thinking ethos is recognized as an invaluable asset.

As China endeavors to build a community with a shared future for humankind, new opportunities abound in its higher education landscape. In 2017, while celebrating its 120th anniversary, ZJU was proudly selected for China’s “Double First-Class” Initiative. Embarking on a new journey, ZJU is keen to further open up to the world and collaborate globally to better the public welfare.

Zhejiang University focuses on assiduous study, research, and science and technological innovation. It has launched several international high-end academic platforms and gathered masters, scholars, and high-level research teams. In recent years, Zhejiang University has maintained a leading position in China in output indicators, including publications, patents, etc. It has made outstanding essential achievements in science, technology, humanities, and social sciences. Zhejiang University always takes the initiative in catering to national and regional needs and exerts itself to become an influential high-level source of innovation and a pool of talents.

With educational thoughts advancing with the times, Zhejiang University paces the whole nation in educational reforms. Rich campus culture, advanced teaching facilities, and a wide range of international exchanges create favorable student development conditions.