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Beihang University
北京航空航天大学
Beihang University logo.svg
Other name
BUAA
Beihang
Former name
Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Motto 德才兼备、知行合一
Motto in English
Integrate Virtue with Brilliance and Combine Knowledge with Practice
Type Public research university
Established October 25, 1952; 73 years ago (1952)
President Wang Yunpeng (王云鹏)
Academic staff
3,359
Undergraduates 12,523
Postgraduates 10,282
Location ,
Campus Xueyuan Road 100 hectares, Shahe 97 hectares
Colors      and     
Affiliations BHUA, SSU, TIME
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese 北京航空航天大学
Traditional Chinese 北京航空航天大學
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin Běijīng Hángkōng Hángtiān Dàxué
University rankings
BCUR National Domestic 12
Wu Shulian National Domestic 21
CUAA National Alumni 17
QS National General 28
THE National General 21–25
QS Asia
(Asia version)
General =134
THE Asia
(Asia version)
General 49
ARWU World Research 151–200
QS World General =452
THE World General =168
USNWR World General =253

Beihang University (also known as BUAA) is a famous public university in Beijing, China. It's especially known for its amazing work in aerospace engineering, which is about designing and building airplanes and spacecraft. In fact, some rankings say it's the best university in the world for this field!

The university is connected to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in China. It's also part of special national plans like Project 211, Project 985, and the Double First-Class Construction. These programs help make sure universities are top-notch and produce excellent research.

Beihang University was started in 1952. Back then, it was called Beijing Aeronautics College. It was formed by combining the aviation (airplane) departments from eight other important universities. In 1988, its name changed to Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. BUAA is also known as one of the "Seven Sons of National Defence" because of its important role in defense technology.

As a leading research university, Beihang has many special labs. It has 1 national laboratory and 9 national key laboratories. These labs help the university make amazing discoveries. Beihang has achieved over 40 "firsts" in China for its research. It has also won more than 70 top national science and technology awards.

History

New Main Build
Today's environment of Beihang University

Beihang University has been a very important national university since it started. It was the first place in China to offer higher education in aerospace. It's often called the "cradle of Red Aeronautical Engineers."

Beihang was one of the first national key universities in 1959. It was also among the first universities chosen for the "211 Project" in 1997. Later, in 2017, it became one of the first "world-class academic construction universities." This means it's recognized as a top university globally.

How it Started

Beihang University was created by bringing together aviation departments from eight different universities. These included famous schools like Tsinghua University and Xiamen University.

Before Beihang, China's aviation studies were not very strong. Even though the first Chinese airplane was built in 1909, the aviation industry didn't grow much. But after some difficult times, people in China realized how important aviation technology was. They started to believe in "air rescue of the nation." This idea meant that strong air power could help protect the country.

Many people traveled to other countries to learn about aviation. When they came back, they worked hard to set up aviation departments in universities. The first major in aeronautical engineering in China was started in 1934 at Chenghua University.

After the People's Republic of China was formed, the government decided to focus on the aviation industry. In 1951, they started to combine aviation departments from different universities. Premier Zhou Enlai, a very important leader, even said that "building an aviation university is urgent."

So, in May 1952, a plan was made to create a special aviation university. On October 24, 1952, the Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Industry was officially approved. This is what we now know as Beihang University.

Construction for the new campus began in June 1953 in Beijing. Workers built many buildings very quickly. By 1957, most of the main buildings were finished. In 1954, Wu Guang became the first president of Beihang University.

In 1958, Beihang students and teachers started a program to combine learning with hands-on work. They developed new aviation models. In just 100 days, they built the "Beijing No. 1" light passenger plane. This plane successfully flew between Beijing and Shanghai. They also developed "Beijing-2," which was Asia's first radiant missile. And they created "Beijing 5," China's first unmanned aircraft (drone). These achievements showed how innovative Beihang was. In 1959, Beihang became one of the first 16 key universities in China.

During the Cultural Revolution

During China's Cultural Revolution, teaching at universities was often stopped. Beihang University was also affected. However, because of its special focus on science and technology, it managed to continue some scientific research. For example, it produced unmanned reconnaissance aircraft during this time.

After the Cultural Revolution ended, normal university enrollment started again. In April 1988, the university's name officially changed to Beijing Aeronautics and Astronautics University.

The New Era

BUAA LuYuan
Students in the green environment around Beihang University

In 1989, Beihang University was chosen as one of the 14 key universities for China's "Eighth Five-Year Plan." This showed its growing importance.

In 1997, Beihang was included in the "211 Project," a national plan to boost key universities. Later, in 2001, it joined the "985 Project," which aimed to create world-class universities.

In 2006, the Beihang Art Museum was completed. The university also got permission to build the National Aeronautical Science and Technology Laboratory. A new main building for education and research was also finished. This new building is one of the largest educational buildings in Asia!

I heart BUAA
"I heart BUAA" Sculpture

In 2007, the Shahe Campus of Beihang University started construction. It opened in September 2010. This new campus gave the university more space to grow.

Beihang University also played a role in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Its stadium was used for the weightlifting events.

Since then, Beihang has continued to be a leader in education and research. It has joined other important national programs to train top engineers and promote innovation.

University Review

When Beihang University first started, it focused mainly on teaching and researching aviation. But over time, it has grown into a university that teaches many different subjects. These include science, engineering, liberal arts, law, economics, and more. However, engineering, especially aerospace, is still its main strength.

What Students Study and Who Teaches Them

YF-24 at BUAA 02
A real YF-24 rocket engine is on display at the Beihang campus.

Today, Beihang University has 30 different schools or departments. They cover 10 main areas of study. These include engineering, science, and management, with a special focus on aerospace.

As of 2017, Beihang has almost 4,000 teachers and staff. Many of them are top experts in their fields. This includes 23 members of China's national academies and 3 Nobel Prize winners!

The university has over 30,000 full-time students. This includes students studying for their first degree (undergraduates), master's degrees, and doctoral degrees. There are also many international students from other countries.

Labs and Research

Beihang University is home to many important research labs. In 2006, it was allowed to build the National Laboratory of Aviation Science and Technology. This lab officially opened in 2014 at the Shahe Campus.

The university also has 9 national key laboratories. These include labs for "Aeronautical Engine Aerodynamics," "Virtual Reality Technology," and "Computational Fluid Dynamics." These labs help scientists and students work on advanced projects and make new discoveries.

University Locations

Beihang University has several campuses and research institutes. Its main campuses are in Beijing.

Colleges and Schools

Beihang University has many different schools and colleges where students can study various subjects. Here's a list of some of them:

Code Academic Name Found
1 School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) 1954
2 School of Electronics and Information Engineerin g(SEIE) 1958
3 School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering (SASEE) 1954
4 School of Energy and Power Engineering (SEPE) 1952
5 School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering (ASE) 1952
6 School of Computer Science and Engineering (SCSE) 1958
7 School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation (ME) 1952
8 School of Economics and Management (SEM) 1956
9 School of Mathematics and Systems Science (SMSS) 2009
10 School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering (BME) 2008
11 School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) 1997
12 School of Foreign Languages (SFL) 1978
13 School of Transportation Science and Engineering (TSE or TRANS) 2007
14 School of Reliability and Systems Engineering (RSE) 1985
15 School of Astronautics (SA) 1988
16 Flying College of Beihang University 1993
17 School of Instrumentation Science and Opto-electronics Engineering (SISOE) 2003
18 School of Beijing 2013
19 School of Physics and Nuclear Energy Engineering (SPNEE) 2008
20 The Law School of Beihang University 2002
21 School of Software 2002
22 School of Modern Distance Education 2002
23 Shen Yuan Honors College of Beihang University 2002
24 Beihang Sino-French Engineering School 2004
25 International School of Beihang University 2004
26 New Media Art and Design Institute 2006
27 School of Chemistry(SC) 2008
28 School of Marxism 2008
29 Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Science 2010
30 School of Space and Environment (SSE) 2016
35 School of General Engineering (SGE) 2017
37 Beihang College 2017
39 School of Cyber Science and Technology 2017
41 School of Microelectronics 2018
42 Institute of Artificial Intelligence 2018
School of BeiDou and the Silk Road 2017
International Research Institute for Multidisciplinary Science 2012
Interdisciplinary Innovation Institute for Medicine and Engineering 2016

Beijing Aerospace Museum

Beijing Air and Space Museum
Beijing Aerospace Museum

The Beijing Air and Space Museum is a cool museum located at Beihang University. It was opened in 1985 and was first called the Beijing Aviation Museum.

This museum has a large area for exhibits, about 8,300 square meters. It features 18 interactive exhibits, 3 theaters, and even a special education center for young astronauts! The museum's goal is to help people learn about aviation and space science.

Aircraft engines in Beijing Air and Space Museum
Engines kept in the Beijing Aerospace Museum

The building itself is designed to look like a plane taking off, which is pretty neat! It shows how important aviation and space are to Beihang University.

Shahe Campus

South Gate of BUAA Shahe Campus
Shahe campus main entrance (south gate)

The Shahe Campus of Beihang University is located outside the city center in Beijing. It's about 26 kilometers away from the main Xueyuan Road Campus.

This campus is very large, covering 970,000 square meters. It has many educational buildings, labs, student apartments, and even a stadium. It's a quieter campus with a nice environment. It opened in 2010 and is still growing. It's also easy to reach by subway.

NL Bldg B BUAA Shahe
Shahe campus from the profile of NL Blvd

Xueyuan Road Campus

This is the main campus of Beihang University, located in Beijing. It's divided into three parts: a teaching area, a living area for students, and a family area.

The teaching area is a pedestrian-only zone, meaning no cars are allowed. The student living area has 18 student apartment buildings. The modern buildings on the Xueyuan Road Campus are considered important architectural heritage from the 20th century in China.

Library

BUAA LIB
Beihang University Library

Beihang University has one of the best libraries in the world for books and information about aviation and space.

Other Research Institutes

Beihang University has also set up several research institutes in other cities in China. These include:

  • Hangzhou Innovation Institute
  • Qingdao Research Institute
  • Qingdao Campus (under construction)
  • Suzhou Innovation Research Institute (under construction)
  • Chengdu Research Institute (under construction)
  • Kunming Innovation Research Institute (under construction)
  • Bihai College (an independent college)

These institutes help the university spread its research and education across different regions.

Beihang University Stadium

2008 BUAA Gymnasium Indoor Arena
Beihang University Stadium, host of Olympic weightlifting competitions

The Beihang University Stadium was an important venue during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. It hosted the weightlifting competitions.

Management

Who Manages Beihang?

Since it started, Beihang University has been managed by different government ministries related to the aerospace industry. Today, it's mainly connected to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China.

The university also works closely with the Ministry of Education, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the Beijing Municipal Government. This shows how important Beihang is to the country.

Budget

Beihang University gets its money directly from the national government. This means it has a steady budget for its operations and research. In 2016, its science and technology budget was very high, showing how much the government invests in its research.

University Culture

Gate of BUAA
Chinese Calligraphy on the entrance gate of Beihang University

When the university first started in 1952, it was called "Beijing Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics." People often called it "Beihang University" for short. In 1988, its official Chinese name changed to "Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics." The English name was "Beijing Aeronautics and Astronautics University" (BUAA).

In 2002, the English name changed again to "Beihang University," but the abbreviation "BUAA" stayed the same. The beautiful Chinese name on the university's entrance gate was written by a famous calligrapher, Mr. Zhao Pochu, in 1988.

School Logo and Flag

The Beihang University logo has two circles, which represent the vastness of space and time. In the middle, there's a symbol that looks like an airplane flying upwards. This, along with an open book, a satellite orbit, and stars, shows that Beihang is all about aerospace and learning.

The year "1952" in the logo reminds everyone when the university was founded. The main color of the logo is "Blue Technology," which stands for being open, precise, stable, and brave in exploring new things.

The Beihang flag is blue with white letters or white with blue letters. It has the university logo and its name. Some Beihang flags have even traveled into space on Chinese spacecraft like Shenzhou 4 and Shenzhou 9!

School Song

Beihang University has an official school song called "Looking at the Stars." It was chosen in 2010. The lyrics were written by a former Premier, which is a very high-ranking government official.

School Spirit and Motto

Experimental School of Beihang University, high school division (20240207125242)
Experience School, Beihang University

The spirit of Beihang University encourages students to be:

  • Hardworking and simple: This means being down-to-earth and letting actions speak louder than words.
  • Hardworking and studious: This means loving science and always seeking the truth.
  • All-round development: This means having good character, being smart, combining what you learn with what you do, and being serious in life.
  • Brave in innovation: This means being brave to discover new things, always trying to improve, being a leader, and aiming for perfection.

The school motto is "Having political ability and integrity, integrating knowledge and practice." This means that everyone at Beihang should have good character, be honest, and have strong skills. It also means that they should not only learn theories but also put them into practice and use their knowledge to solve real problems.

School Anniversary

The anniversary of Beihang University is on October 25th every year. This is the day it was founded in 1952. Students often celebrate with a "campus anniversary carnival" on the weekend closest to this date.

Notable alumni

Beihang University has many famous graduates who have achieved great things.

Astronauts

Gui Haichao 2023 Space Station
Gui Haichao, an astronaut who graduated from this university at the Tiangong Space Station
  • Gui Haichao: A Chinese academic and astronaut who has traveled to the Tiangong Space Station.

Engineers

  • Qi Faren: The chief engineer for the Shenzhou program, which is China's human spaceflight program.

Politicians

  • Zhu Fenglian: A spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office.
  • Yuan Jiajun: A high-ranking member of the Communist Party of China, and a former chief of the Shenzhou program.
  • Li Peiyao: A former vice chairman of an important political conference.
  • Zhang Guoguang: A former governor of two Chinese provinces.

The Military

  • Yang Dongming: A lieutenant general and former deputy commander of the PLA Air Force.

Financier

  • Jiang Bin: A billionaire who helped start the company GoerTek.

Writer

  • Xue Yiwei: A Chinese writer.

Aircraft projects

Beihang University has been involved in developing several aircraft projects, including:

  • Beijing 1
  • BUAA Mifeng-6

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Universidad de Beihang para niños

  • Beijing Air and Space Museum
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