National Tsing Hua University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
National Tsing Hua University

國立清華大學
Former name	Tsinghua College (清華學堂)
Motto	自強不息 厚德載物
Motto in English	Constantly strengthen and cultivate ourselves
Type	Public research university
Established	March 30, 1911 in Beijing; 1956 in Hsinchu City, Taiwan
Parent institution	Ministry of Education (Republic of China)
Endowment	NTD 35,335,636,295.00 (November 2022)
President	W. John Kao
Academic staff	1,355
Undergraduates	9,120
Postgraduates	9,005
Location	Hsinchu City, Taiwan Province , ROC
Campus	Suburban, 1.20 square kilometres (300 acres)
Language	Mandarin, English
Flower	Redbud and Chinese plum blossom
Affiliations	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 Kok-li̍p Chheng-hôa Tāi-ha̍k

National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) is a public research university located in Hsinchu, Taiwan. It was first started in Beijing, China. After the Chinese Civil War, the university's president, Mei Yiqi, and other teachers moved to Taiwan. They reopened National Tsing Hua University in 1956. This university in Taiwan is separate from the one in Beijing.

NTHU is a key part of a big research and innovation area in Taiwan. This area includes other universities and the nearby Hsinchu Science Park. The university has 12 colleges, 26 departments, and 31 graduate institutes. Its College of Nuclear Science is the only place in Taiwan that teaches about using nuclear power for peaceful purposes. NTHU is also connected with other top universities in Taiwan, like National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, through the University System of Taiwan (UST).

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

About National Tsing Hua University

In 1955, the president of Tsinghua University in Beijing, Mei Yi-chi, moved to Hsinchu, Taiwan. He re-established a part of the university there, focusing on nuclear technology. Later, in 1956, the full National Tsing Hua University was founded in Taiwan based on this start.

Both the Tsinghua universities (in Taiwan and Beijing) see themselves as the original one. They have worked together on projects like the Tsinghua Strait Research Institute and student exchange programs.

History of NTHU

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

The story of Tsinghua University began in 1909. The United States decided to return some money from the Boxer Rebellion payments to China. This money was meant to help Chinese students study in the U.S. Using these funds, Tsinghua College was opened in Beijing, China, on April 22, 1911. It was first a school to prepare students for studying in America.

In 1928, the school officially became 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.

In 1956, National Tsing Hua University was re-established in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Since then, NTHU has grown a lot. It started by focusing on Nuclear Science and Technology. Now, it is a full research university. It offers many different study programs. These include degrees in science, technology, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and management.

NTHU is known as one of the best universities in Taiwan. It has helped many students become leaders in industries and academics. Famous alumni include two Nobel Prize winners in physics (Dr. Chen-Ning Yang and Tsung-Dao Lee) and one Nobel Prize winner in chemistry (Dr. Yuan-Tseh Lee).

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

NTHU also helped develop Taiwan's first astronomical satellite. It is called The Gamma-ray Transients Monitor. This small satellite will track powerful bursts of gamma-rays from space.

University Traditions

Meichu Tournament: A Friendly Competition

The Mei-Chu Tournament is a sports competition held every March. It is between National Tsing Hua University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. This tournament started in 1969 and is a very important tradition 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, which led to many friendly meetings and exchanges.

In 1966, an informal sports event was held. The idea for a regular competition became official in 1968. A student leader from NTHU got permission to plan sports events. These events were inspired by the famous Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race in the UK.

The name of the games was decided by a coin toss. "Mei-Chu" was chosen to honor the first presidents of NTHU and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Mei Yi-chi and Ling Chu-Ming.

University Rankings

NTHU is often seen as one of the top 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, Japan's representative in Taiwan listed NTHU as one of Taiwan's seven well-known universities.

What You Can Study at NTHU

General Building III on NTHU's Main Campus

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building by Kunming Lake

Mong Man-Wai Building for student clubs

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

• College of Science
  • Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Statistics, Astronomy.
• College of Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Power Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering.
• College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics Engineering, Communications Engineering.
• College of Life Sciences and Medicine
  • Life Science, Medical Science, Biotechnology, Molecular Medicine.
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Chinese Literature, Foreign Languages, History, Philosophy, Sociology, Linguistics.
• College of Nuclear Science
  • Engineering and System Science, Biomedical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering.
• College of Technology Management
  • Economics, Quantitative Finance, Technology Management, Law for Science and Technology.
• College of Education
  • Education and Learning Technology, Kinesiology, Early Childhood Education, Special Education.
• College of Arts
  • Music, Arts and Design, Art and Technology.
• College of Semiconductor Research
• Taipei School of Economics and Political Science (TSE)
• Tsing Hua College
  • Interdisciplinary programs for bachelor's degrees.

NTHU is also part of several university groups:

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

International Programs

NTHU takes part in the Bioinformatics Program of the Taiwan International Graduate Program. This program is run by Academia Sinica, Taiwan's top research group.

Life on Campus

Student Clubs and Activities

There are over one hundred student clubs at NTHU. These clubs cover many different interests. Students can join groups for community service, music, sports, movies, dancing, martial arts, and academic topics.

Student Housing

The university has eighteen dormitories on campus. These dorms can house about 5000 students. Most first-year and second-year students, and many graduate students, can live in the dorms. Many teachers also live on campus.

Help with Costs

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

Health and Support Services

There is a University Clinic on campus. It is connected with Hsinchu Mackay Memorial Hospital. This clinic provides first aid and general medical care.

The University Counseling Center offers support to students, teachers, and staff. Both the clinic and the center provide services when needed. They also offer educational programs for all students.

University 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

Humanities and Social Sciences

• Liang Qichao: a politician
• Wang Guowei: a historian and poet
• Chen Yinke: a linguist and historian
• Zhao Yuanren: a linguist
• Zhu Ziqing: a writer
• Xia Nai: an archaeologist
• Feng Youlan: a philosopher and historian
• David Zweig: a social scientist

Physical Science & Engineering

• Ta-You Wu: a physicist and former president of Academia Sinica
• Hua Luogeng: a mathematician and educator
• Yu-Fen Zhao: a chemistry professor
• Shiing-Shen Chern: a mathematician
• Chen Ning Yang: a Nobel Prize winner in Physics
• Tsung-Dao Lee: a Nobel Prize winner in Physics
• Yuan Tseh Lee: a Nobel Prize winner 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: former president of NTHU
• Nancy Tang Chang: co-founder of a U.S. biotech company
• Fa-Yueh Wu: a mathematician and physicist

See also

• List of universities in Taiwan
• Hsinchu Science Park
• National Experimental High School: A school for children of staff and faculty at NTHU and other nearby science park personnel.
• Academia Sinica
• Tsinghua Big Five Alliance
• Tsinghua University