Harvard-Yenching Institute, AACSB, APRU, AEARU
University System of Taiwan
Tsinghua Big Five Alliance
Global research & industry alliance of MOST, UAiTED, Alliance of Chinese and European Business Schools

Mascot

Giant panda

Chinese name

Simplified Chinese

国立清华大学

Traditional Chinese

國立清華大學

Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Guólì Qīnghuá Dàxué
Wade–Giles	Kuo-li Ch'ing-hua Ta-hsuëh
Tongyong Pinyin	Guólì Cinghuá Dàsyué
Southern Min
Hokkien POJ	Chheng-hôa Tāi-ha̍k

National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) is a top public university in Hsinchu, Taiwan. It's a place where students and teachers do lots of important research.

NTHU was first started in Beijing, China. After a big conflict called the Chinese Civil War, the university's president, Mei Yiqi, and many smart teachers moved to Taiwan. In 1956, they reopened National Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu. This university in Taiwan is now separate from the one in Beijing.

NTHU is part of a special group of research and innovation centers in Taiwan. These centers and the nearby Hsinchu Science Park are very important for making computer chips around the world.

Today, NTHU has 12 colleges and many departments. It offers degrees from bachelor's to doctorate levels. The university's College of Nuclear Science is the only one in Taiwan that teaches about using nuclear power for peaceful purposes. NTHU is also part of the University System of Taiwan (UST).

Many famous people have studied at NTHU. These include Nobel Prize winners like Chen Ning Yang, Tsung-Dao Lee, and Yuan Tseh Lee.

About National Tsing Hua University
University History
University Traditions
- Meichu Tournament
University Rankings
What You Can Study at NTHU
International Study Programs
Life on Campus
University Leaders (Presidents)
Famous People from NTHU
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Physical Science & Engineering
See also

About National Tsing Hua University

In 1955, the president of the original Tsinghua University, Mei Yi-chi, moved to Hsinchu city in Taiwan. He started the National Tsing Hua Institute of Nuclear Technology there. Later, this institute grew into the National Tsing Hua University we know today in Taiwan.

Both the Tsinghua University in Taiwan and the one in Beijing say they are the true continuation of the original university. This is because they both want to be linked to the special money that helped start the first Tsinghua. This money came from a payment made by China to the United States a long time ago. The money was later given to the university in Taiwan.

Even with this history, the two Tsinghua universities work together a lot today. They have programs where students can earn degrees from both schools. They also share online courses and exchange students and teachers.

University History

Replica of the Old Gate in Beijing, a symbol of Tsinghua University.

A long time ago, in 1909, the United States decided to give back some money it received from China. This money was from something called the Boxer Rebellion indemnity. The U.S. said the money should be used to help Chinese students study in America.

Using this money, Tsinghua College (清華學堂) was opened in Beijing, China, in 1911. It was built on the land of an old royal garden. At first, it was a school to prepare students to go study in the United States. American teachers taught science subjects. After graduating, students could go straight to American universities. In 1925, the school added college-level courses and started a research center for Chinese studies.

In 1928, the school officially changed its name to National Tsing Hua University (NTHU). During World War II in 1937, NTHU joined with other universities to form a temporary university. After the war, NTHU moved back to Beijing. Sadly, during the war, the university's library lost many books.

In 1956, National Tsing Hua University was reopened in Hsinchu, Taiwan. When it first reopened, NTHU focused on Nuclear Science and Technology. But over time, it grew into a full university. Now, it offers many different study programs. These include science, technology, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and management.

NTHU is always ranked as one of the best universities in Taiwan. It's known for helping future leaders in many fields. Its former students have achieved amazing things. This includes two Nobel Prize winners in physics (Chen-Ning Yang and Tsung-Dao Lee). Also, one Nobel winner in chemistry (Yuan-Tseh Lee) and a Wolf Prize winner in mathematics (Shiing-Shen Chern).

In recent years, the National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan has worked more closely with the Tsinghua University in mainland China. They cooperate on research and create new programs together.

University Traditions

Meichu Tournament

The Mei-Chu Tournament is a fun sports competition. It happens every March between National Tsing Hua University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. This tournament started in 1969. It's now a big tradition and a very important event for both universities in Taiwan.

The idea for the Meichu Games began in the 1960s. After the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949, both NTHU and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University moved to Hsinchu, Taiwan. They became neighbors! Because they were so close, students and teachers from both schools often met and shared ideas.

In 1966, they held a small, unofficial sports event. But it wasn't until 1968 that they planned a formal competition. A student leader from NTHU got permission to organize sports events. He wanted them to be like the famous Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race in England.

Both universities liked the idea of an annual event. But they couldn't agree on a name for the games. Finally, a person named Zhang Zhi-yi suggested flipping a coin. If it was "heads," it would be called Mei-Chu. If "tails," it would be Chu-Mei. The coin landed on "heads"! So, the tournament was named Meichu. This name honors the first presidents of NTHU and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Mei Yi-chi and Ling Chu-Ming.

University Rankings

University rankings
Global – Overall
ARWU World	401–500 (2023)
QS World	233 (2024)
THE World	401–500 (2024)
USNWR Global	394 (2023)

Regional – Overall
QS Asia	38 (2023)
THE Asia	95 (2022)

NTHU is usually seen as one of the very best universities in Taiwan.

In 2021, Times Higher Education ranked NTHU among the top 351-400 universities worldwide. The 2021 QS World University Rankings placed NTHU at 168th globally. Also in 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked NTHU 363rd in the world. In 2020, the Academic Ranking of World Universities put NTHU in the 401-500 range.

In 2014, the representative of Japan in Taiwan listed NTHU as one of the seven most famous Taiwanese universities.

The 2020 QS World University Rankings by Subject also showed NTHU's strengths:

84th in Engineering & Technology
266th in Arts & Humanities
401-500th in Life Sciences & Medicine
101st in Natural Sciences
249th in Social Sciences & Management

What You Can Study at NTHU

General Building III on NTHU's Main Campus.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building by Kunming Lake.

The Mong Man-Wai Building, where student clubs meet.

NTHU offers many different subjects for students to learn. Here are some of the main areas of study:

College of Science
- Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry
- Statistics, Astronomy
- Computational and Modeling Science
College of Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Power Mechanical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management
- Nano Engineering and MicroSystems
- Biomedical Engineering
College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electronics Engineering
- Communications Engineering
- Photonics Technologies
- Information Systems and Applications
- Information Security
College of Life Sciences and Medicine
- Life Science, Medical Science
- System Neuroscience
- Biotechnology, Molecular Medicine
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Bioinformatics and Structural Biology
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Chinese Literature
- Foreign Languages and Literature
- Anthropology, History, Philosophy
- Sociology, Linguistics
- Taiwan Literature, Sinophone Studies
College of Nuclear Science
- Engineering and System Science
- Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences
- Nuclear Engineering and Science
- Analytical and Environmental Sciences
College of Technology Management
- Economics, Quantitative Finance
- Technology Management
- Law for Science and Technology
- Service Science
College of Education
- Education and Learning Technology
- Kinesiology (study of body movement)
- Early Childhood Education
- Special Education
- English Instruction
- Educational Psychology and Counseling
- Environmental and Cultural Resources
- Human Resource Development
- Taiwan Languages and Language Teaching
- Learning Sciences and Technologies
- Mathematics and Science Education
College of Arts
- Technology and Art
- Music, Arts and Design
College of Semiconductor Research
Taipei School of Economics and Political Science
Tsing Hua College
- Offers special interdisciplinary programs and general education.

NTHU is also part of several university groups:

It works with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, National Central University and National Chengchi University in the University System of Taiwan (UST).
It's a member of the University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT).
NTHU is a founding member of the Taiwan-UK University Consortium.

International Study Programs

NTHU takes part in the Bioinformatics Program. This is part of the Taiwan International Graduate Program by Academia Sinica. Academia Sinica is Taiwan's most important research group.

Life on Campus

Student Clubs and Activities

NTHU has over one hundred student clubs! These clubs offer many different activities for students. You can join clubs for community service, music, sports, movies, theater, dancing, martial arts, and even science or philosophy. There's something for everyone!

Student Housing

There are 18 dormitories on campus. About 5,000 students can live there. Most first-year and second-year students, and many graduate students, can get a dorm room easily. Many teachers also live on campus.

Help with Money for School

NTHU offers scholarships and fellowships to students who do very well in their studies. Each year, hundreds of students get this financial help. Also, many graduate students get support by working as teaching or research assistants. If students have money problems, the university can provide loans or emergency funds.

Health and Support Services

There is a University Clinic right on campus. It's connected to Hsinchu Mackay Memorial Hospital. Here, students can get first aid and general medical care.

The University Counseling Center offers support to students, teachers, and staff. Both the clinic and the center help people when they need it. They also teach everyone about staying healthy and well.

University Leaders (Presidents)

Mei Yi-chi: 1956–1962
Chen Ke-Chung [zh]: 1962–1969
Yen Chen-hsing: 1969–1970
Shu Shien-Siu: 1970–1975
Chang Ming-che: 1975–1981
Mao Gao-wen: 1981–1987
Liu Chao-shiuan: 1987–1993
R. C. T. Lee: 1993–1994
Shen Chun-shan: 1994–1997
Chen Hsin-hsiung [zh]: 1997–1998
Chung Laung Liu: February 1998 – February 2002
Frank Shu: February 2002 – February 2006
Wen-Tsuen Chen: February 2006 – February 2010
Lih-Juann Chen [zh]: February 2010 – February 2014
HoCheng Hong: February 2014 – February 2022
W. John Kao: February 2022 – present

Famous People from NTHU

Many brilliant people have studied or taught at NTHU.

Humanities and Social Sciences

Liang Qichao: A famous scholar, thinker, and leader.
Wang Guowei: A master of Chinese studies.
Chen Yinke: A linguist and historian.
Zhao Yuanren: A linguist.
Zhu Ziqing: A well-known writer.
Xia Nai: An archaeologist.
Feng Youlan: A philosopher and historian of Chinese philosophy.
David Zweig: A social scientist and author.

Physical Science & Engineering

Ta-You Wu: A physicist and former president of Academia Sinica (Taiwan's top research group).
Hua Luogeng: A mathematician and educator.
Yu-Fen Zhao: A chemistry professor and academician.
Shiing-Shen Chern: A mathematician and academician.
Chen Ning Yang: A winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Tsung-Dao Lee: A winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Yuan Tseh Lee: A winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry and former president of Academia Sinica.
H. T. Kung: A computer science professor at Harvard University.
Typhoon Lee: Director of the Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica.
Way Kuo: President of City University of Hong Kong.
Wei Shyy: President of Hong Kong University of Science & Technology.
Wen-Tsuen Chen: A former president of NTHU, Taiwan.
Nancy Tang Chang: Co-founder of a U.S. biotech company called Tanox.
Fa-Yueh Wu: A mathematician and physicist.

National Tsing Hua University facts for kids

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