Born to innovate in education and research

University of Science and Technology of China earns a global reputation and leads the way for nation to achieve academic excellence

In 1958, China established the University of Science and Technology of China. It was a strategic move by the country to meet its science and technology needs and boost its international competitiveness. Guo Moruo, then president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, assumed office as its first president. The institution sought excellence in education, research and facilities.

Under the care of China's leaders, its establishment was dubbed "a great event in the history of education and science of China". CAS then integrated its resources with USTC, aiming to educate top talent in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary science and technology. In 1970, USTC was moved to its current location in Hefei, capital of Anhui province in East China.

Since then, it has served the nation as an innovator in quality education and scientific research. It has focused on exploring new frontiers in science and technology, and nurtured young talent with global perspectives. Among the 140,000-odd graduates nurtured by USTC, 84 have been elected academicians of CAS and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. This makes it the Chinese university with the largest number of academicians elected during the same period. For every 1,000 undergraduates, there has been one academician, ranking first in the country, some 700 with master's and doctoral degree candidates.

Currently, the university is home to 16,245 gifted students and 2,050 academic staff members. They include 651 full professors and 55 academicians of CAS or the CAE, 5,641 graduate students and 3,651 PhD candidates. It offers customized programs and exceptional extracurricular activities for all students. Numerous USTC alumni have become world-renowned scientists and entrepreneurs.

USTC has made contributions to the development of Chinese education and its excellent research facilities are creating rich opportunities for future scientists. In 1978, USTC set up the first Special Class for the Gifted Young and the first graduate school in China, which are considered among the most remarkable achievements in modern Chinese higher education history. USTC has a broad range of academic disciplines, covering natural sciences, engineering, management and some emerging interdisciplinary fields.

USTC also has a strong history in fundamental sciences and research. It is the only university that operates two national laboratories on campus: the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, which is the first national laboratory in China, and the Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, one of the six national research centers approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

In the past decade, USTC has made significant achievements in the fields of quantum physics, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, engineering and biomedical sciences. It sent Mozi, the world's first quantum communication satellite, and Wukong, the China's first dark matter particle explorer, into space.

In 2020, the university developed the "USTC protocol" to treat COVID-19 patients, which was introduced to more than 20 countries and regions.

As s prominent university in China, USTC also enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide. It provides a wide range of opportunities to help students develop a global perspective and cultural sensitivity. Also, it has earned its reputation by collaborating with more than 210 top universities and research organizations from across the world. In the Nature Index 2020, USTC was ranked in the top four global universities for academic research and ranked first in China. In the US News Rankings 2020, it ranked third among the best global universities in China.

In the new era, USTC is on a path to becoming a top university with Chinese characteristics. It is looking forward to more extraordinary achievements by sticking to its faith in the original aspirations and mission. The USTC community will continue to grow with strength and perseverance following its traditions and innovative spirit.