An Introduction to Henan University

Henan University is located in Kaifeng, a famous historic city which used to be the capital of China during seven different dynasties. Imperial examinations were held in this place 100 years ago; the last two imperial examinations held here in 1903 and 1904 marked the end of the thousand-year-long imperial examination system. At the beginning of the 20th century, under the influence of Western culture and the impact of the Revolution of 1911, Lin Boxiang and a group of people with lofty ideals came to Kaifeng and founded the Preparatory School for Further Study in Europe and America, then one of the three major schools to prepare students for overseas study. It was later renamed Zhongzhou University, No.5 National Zhongshan University and Provincial Henan University. In 1942 its name was changed to National Henan University and it had developed into an influential comprehensive university with 6 schools, namely, the School of Liberal Arts, School of Science, School of Agriculture, School of Engineering, School of Medicine and the Law School. As one of the National Universities then, Henan University was proud of its brilliant academic strength and was famous both at home and abroad. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, due to the nationwide reorganization of colleges and departments, the School of Agriculture, the School of Medicine and the School of Administration separated from Henan University and became Henan College of Agriculture, Henan College of Medicine and Henan Administrative Institute of Politics and Law. The schools of water conservancy, finance and economics and others were transferred to Wuhan University, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law as well as to other universities. Henan University was renamed Henan Normal College, Kaifeng Normal College and Henan Normal University. The name Henan University was restored in 1984. In 2000, Henan University merged with Kaifeng Normal College and Kaifeng Medicine College to become the new Henan University. On October 17th, 2008, the Henan provincial Government and the Ministry of Education signed an agreement to jointly support the future development of Henan University therefore allowing Henan University to formally enter the list of the universities which are jointly developed by the provincial government and the ministry.

For nearly 100 years since its founding, Henan University, adhering to its motto of “明德新民，止于至善(to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence)”, has gradually fostered the school ethos of “Unity, Industry, Discipline and Modesty”. Generations of scholars have passed the spiritual torch down and demonstrated their willingness to accept new ideas and to step into the world, their belief in truth and ceaseless pursuit of perfection, their perseverance, determination, generosity and tolerance as well as an inclination towards a simple but fulfilling life. They are called on to accomplish themselves by contributing to the development of society, the progress of science and technology, economic development and education expansion. Many famous scholars and academicians, such as Fan Wenlan, Feng Youlan, Dong Zuobin, Feng Jinglan, Luo Zhanglong, Guo Shaoyu, Luo Tingguang, Xiao Yishan, Fan Yingchuan,  Mao Lirui, Jiang Liangfu, Ji Wenfu, Ren Fangqiu and Dang Hongxin, to name a few, have taught at Henan University. Since its founding, Henan University has educated nearly 400,000 graduates for the country. Among them, there are 72 academicians and members of the Social Science Academy and nearly 150 leaders at and above provincial and ministerial level. Many graduates such as Hou Jingru, Yuan Baohua, Wang Guoquan, Zhao Yimin, Yin Da, Deng Tuo, Bai Shouyi, Yang Tingbao, Gao Jiyu, Yao Xueyin, Zhou Erfu, Wu Qiang, Ma Ke, Zhao Jiuzhang, Liang Guanglie, to name a few, are well-known experts, scholars or social activists.
Since China’s Reform and the institution of the Opening-up Policy, Henan University has accelerated its development. By enhancing its construction of disciplines, training and bringing in highly qualified talents, increasing enrollment and building a new campus, etc., Henan University has made a giant leap and achieved historic breakthroughs in elevating the level of education, of teaching as well as of researching and in expanding its size and increasing exchanges with the outside world. Now it is a comprehensive university with 11 branches of learning: liberal arts, science, engineering, economics, management, law, philosophy, education, history, agriculture and medicine. It has established friendly relationship with more than 70 colleges in more than 40 countries and has become a member of the World Association of Universities and the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific. Henan university has the School of Arts, School of Journalism and Communication, School of History and Culture, School of Philosophy and Public Administration, School of Economics, Law School, School of Business Administration, School of Education Science, School of Foreign Languages, School of Mathematics and Information Science, Institute of Physics and Electronics , School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Computer and Information Engineering, School of Environment and Planning, School of Life Science, School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, School of Arts, School of Physical Education, School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, School of Nursing, the Clinical Institute of the Huai River, the Dongjing Clinical School, the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education, the People’s Armed Force College, the College of International Education, College of Software Engineering, Minsheng College, International School of Chinese Studies, Eurasian International College, Department of Foreign Language Teaching, Department of Marxism-Leninism and Moral Education, Department of the Teaching and Research of Physical Education, Department of the Teaching and Research of Computer Science. It runs 79 undergraduate programs, 24 primary discipline Master’s programs, 174 sub-discipline Master’s programs, 18 professional Master’s programs, a primary discipline doctoral program and 18 doctoral programs and has 10 doctoral research centers. Henan University has a strong working staff of more than 4000 individuals. Among them, there are 11 full-time and half-time academicians as well as 1100 professors and associate professors. Now there are more than 41,000 students receiving a full-time education here; among them there are more than 6000 postgraduates and nearly 200 overseas students. Henan University is home to a Key Research Center of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, a Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, a National Teacher Training Base of Physical Education and Art, a National Base of College Student Quality Education, a Key Research Base of Social Sciences and Sports Sciences of the National Sports Bureau as well as provincial key laboratories, provincial key research bases of Humanity and Social Sciences, and the Center of the Engineering and Technology of Nanophase Materials in Henan Province. The Press of Henan University publishes many academic journals and the library houses more than 4 million books. Henan University covers a total area of about 660 acres with a room space of more than 100 million square meters. The modern architectural complex on Minglun campus is a key cultural heritage site under state protection.

Henan University which has a long history and is rich in culture continuously receives attention from governments and leaders at all levels. In recent years, Jiang Zemin, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Wu Guanzheng, Chen Zhili, Li Lanqing, Jiang Zhenghua, Luo Haocai, Wang Wenyuan, Zhang Siqing, Zhou Ji and other leading comrades have visited Henan University and expressed high hopes for its development. In the July of 2004, President Jiang Zemin inspected Henan University and wrote: “Keeping abreast with the times and pressing ahead with innovation to develop Henan University into a national top university.” The provincial party committee and provincial government have always attached great importance to the construction of Henan University and given it the priority in financial support similar to “211 project” institutions. In The Twelfth Five-Year Plan on National Economic and Social Development in Henan Province, the goal to “develop Henan University into a national top university” is specified. Accordingly, in the Ninth CPC Congress at Henan University, the goal for the next period is clearly stated in two parts. The first part is to improve on the joint construction by the province and the ministry and make Henan University rank among the top universities supported by the state by 2020. Then Henan University will have more characteristics and will significantly increase its overall strength by improving the overall quality of education, elevating the level of scientific research, improving the social services and enhancing the internationalization of education. The second step is to develop Henan University into a top university in China and a comprehensive, research-oriented and international university with certain influence in the world by the middle of this century.

The historic event of the provincial government and the Ministry of Education signing to develop jointly Henan University gives this time-honored university a new stimulus. With new opportunities and challenges, Henan University, guided by the Scientific Outlook of Development, will stand firm in Henan province, rise in the country and step into the world. It will successfully accomplish the task of producing highly qualified talents, doing scientific research and providing social services. Through 100 years of ups and downs, twists and turns, Henan University is going to embark on its journey to become a top university, with confidence and hope.