Wuhan University pursues worldwide profile

Celebrating 130 years of scientific and social expertise, educational institution on mission to burst onto international stage

To mark its 130th anniversary this year, Wuhan University is ramping up efforts to become one of the world's foremost seats of learning.

Located in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province, the university dates back to the Ziqiang Institute, which was founded in 1893 by Zhang Zhidong, governor of Hubei and Hunan provinces in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). In 1928, the institute was officially named National Wuhan University, becoming one of the first national comprehensive universities in modern China.

By the end of 1946, the university had established faculties of liberal arts, law, sciences, engineering, agriculture and medicine. In 2000, an amalgamation of the former Wuhan University, Wuhan University of Hydraulic and Electric Engineering, Wuhan Technical University of Surveying and Mapping, and Hubei Medical University was announced, which ushered in a new era in the institute's 100 years of development.

Top academic strength

Over the past century, Wuhan University has developed a profound legacy for its spirit of humanity, and today is renowned for strong overall capabilities and distinctive characteristics, offering disciplines in philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, history, sciences, engineering, agriculture, medicine, management, art and interdisciplinary combinations.

The university's academic level and competitiveness continue to advance.

In 2022, it was placed 157th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, in the 101st to 150th range in the Academic Ranking of World Universities released by ShanghaiRanking Consultancy and 194th in the QS World University Rankings. It has been listed as one of the top 10 institutes of learning with the fastest rise in the global index for two consecutive years, and 20 of its disciplines have entered the top 1 percent of the Essential Science Indicators, or ESI, global ranking.

Excellent contributions

With the increase in comprehensive scientific research, Wuhan University has dedicated itself to serving the national technology strategy and has contributed outstanding scientific research results to the global community as part of the effort to help establish a community with a shared future for mankind.

For example, a team from the GNSS Research Center of Wuhan University achieved a positioning accuracy of 1 millimeter for the Beidou Navigation Satellite System. With the help of the center's technological research and development, Hubei has become a world-class hub for the Beidou industry. Other notable accomplishments include the provision of assistance after a massive earthquake rocked Turkiye and parts of Syria in February, when a team from Wuhan University's State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing collaborated with the United Nations Satellite Centre to assess the damage using nighttime remote sensing technology. The assessment report provided scientific data for post-disaster aid and later-stage reconstruction.

Since the first Chinese Antarctic expedition in 1984, Wuhan University has participated in all of the country's subsequent scientific expeditions to the frozen continent. Nearly 200 people from the university have been selected to participate in China's 40 Antarctic scientific expeditions and 17 Arctic scientific expeditions, making the university the earliest, most frequent and largest contributor of personnel to the country's polar exploration program. The university has also participated in scientific research and technical consulting for major national water conservancy and hydropower projects such as the Three Gorges project and the South-to-North Water Diversion project.

Apart from supporting and contributing to scientific research, Wuhan University plays an important role in the humanities and social sciences. Its experts and professors have explored major theoretical and practical issues related to national economic construction, social development and human progress, and have achieved a number of results that have significant theoretical significance and practical application value.

By utilizing its integrated humanities and social sciences research resources, Wuhan University has carried out comprehensive research on such major global issues as building a community with a shared future for mankind, culture and civilization, the Belt and Road Initiative and environmental protection. The university has also held Wuhan University Overseas Academic Week, focusing on academic research into philosophy and social sciences to promote cultural exchange and cooperation with the outside world.

Unique architecture

Recognized as one of the most beautiful universities in China, Wuhan University borders onto Donghu Lake and sits at the foot of the Luojia Mountain. Among its picturesque scenery, the campus is famous for the colorful blossoms from its more than 2,000 cherry trees.

The university's earliest buildings are located among more than 10 undulating hills, including Luojia Mountain and Shizi Mountain, on the banks of Donghu Lake. Construction began in March 1930 and was fully completed by 1936 — an unprecedented achievement in the history of Chinese university architecture. Site selection of the buildings was personally undertaken by well-known figures including Li Siguang, and the design was led by US architect F.H.Kales, a pioneer in blending Western architectural styles with traditional Chinese elements.

The stylish buildings reflect the exchange and integration of Chinese and Western cultures, inheriting traditional Chinese architectural culture while integrating Western architectural techniques. The style emphasizes the beauty of the overall layout and individual architectural styles and is considered a model of Chinese-Western fusion.