Nanjing University

Nanjing University is a comprehensive public research university based in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. Its institutional history reaches back to 1902, and its modern identity was shaped by the development and consolidation of higher-education institutions in Nanjing, including the historical traditions associated with National Central University and the University of Nanking. The university is widely regarded as one of China’s leading higher-education institutions and is commonly included among the country’s most research-intensive universities. Nanjing University operates as a broad academic institution rather than as a conventional commercial brand. Its principal activities are undergraduate and postgraduate education, scientific research, academic publishing, international cooperation, professional training, technology transfer, and public engagement. Its academic footprint spans disciplines including Chinese language and literature, history, philosophy, law, economics and management, foreign languages, journalism and communication, mathematics, physics, astronomy, chemistry, environmental science, earth sciences, biology, computer science, software engineering, artificial intelligence, electronic engineering, medicine, and related fields. The university’s comprehensive structure allows research and teaching to connect across the natural sciences, engineering, medicine, social sciences, and humanities. The university’s brand positioning is built around academic excellence, research depth, selective education, intellectual tradition, and social contribution. It has particular visibility in areas such as chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, environmental science, life sciences, Chinese studies, and social-science research. Its chemistry and chemical-engineering community has also been associated with technology commercialization and entrepreneurship. Public reporting has linked Nanjing University alumni and researchers to companies in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology, materials, renewable energy, semiconductor-related technology, software, gaming, finance, mobility, and enterprise services. Such reports illustrate the university’s role as a source of technical and managerial talent, although alumni-founded companies are independent entities and should not be treated as university subsidiaries. The university also maintains a substantial communications and media profile. Its School of Journalism and Communication includes journalism, broadcasting and television, and advertising-related education. The advertising program was established in 1993, began nationwide undergraduate recruitment in 2001, and was renamed or reorganized within the applied communication structure in 2008. The program combines advertising strategy and creative practice with communication theory, marketing, public relations, management, psychology, social research, media operations, consumer research, and advertising-effect measurement. The university has promoted multilingual institutional communication, including a multilingual promotional film in English, German, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and French. Nanjing University’s international role is expressed through overseas academic exchange, multilingual communication, research collaboration, and participation in global scholarly networks. Its operating environment is primarily Chinese higher education, but its students, faculty, alumni, publications, partnerships, and research collaborations have an international reach. The university remains active and continues to expand research, teaching, technology-transfer, industry collaboration, and public-facing academic initiatives.

Nanjing University traces its institutional origins to 1902, when modern higher education was established in Nanjing. During the first half of the twentieth century, the university’s predecessor institutions developed through changes in political administration, institutional organization, and the wider restructuring of Chinese higher education. The traditions associated with National Central University and the University of Nanking became important components of the university’s later identity. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, national higher-education adjustments altered the structure of universities across the country. Nanjing University subsequently developed as a comprehensive institution with a strong emphasis on fundamental research and broad academic training. Its disciplines expanded across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and other professional areas. The institution’s location in Nanjing, a major historical and scientific center, supported its role in regional education and national research. In the reform era, Nanjing University strengthened its research institutions, graduate education, international exchange, and relationships with government, industry, and other universities. Its academic development included major activity in chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, environmental science, biology, Chinese studies, economics and management, journalism and communication, and emerging technology fields. The university also became associated with science and technology commercialization through laboratories, research institutes, university-affiliated initiatives, and alumni entrepreneurship. The School of Journalism and Communication illustrates the institution’s continuing adaptation to social and technological change. Its advertising program was founded in 1993 and began recruiting undergraduate students nationally in 2001. In 2008, the advertising department was renamed within an applied communication structure. The program developed a multidisciplinary model combining advertising strategy and creativity with marketing, public relations, communication, management, psychology, social research, media operations, and advertising-effect evaluation. This work reflects broader changes in the media and communications industries, especially the growth of digital media and integrated marketing communication. Nanjing University has also expanded its outward-facing communications. A multilingual promotional film was released in several foreign-language versions, presenting the institution to international audiences. Its schools and departments continue to participate in academic forums, professional education, cross-border research, and cooperation with enterprises and public institutions. Reports on alumni-founded businesses and university-linked technology commercialization point to a wider innovation ecosystem, particularly in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, materials, energy, information technology, and services. These activities should be understood as part of the university’s educational and research ecosystem rather than as evidence that the university owns the independently operated companies involved. Today, Nanjing University remains an active comprehensive research university. Its brand combines a long institutional history, strong disciplinary breadth, high research intensity, selective talent development, and a growing emphasis on international collaboration and innovation transfer.

• 2025

  Major industry–academia cooperation projects signed

  [6]Nanjing University industry–academia cooperation projectsnju.edu.cn

  Thirty-two major research and industry cooperation projects were signed at a Jiangsu industry–academia event.

• 2024

  Students achieve a global advertising competition result

  [2]Nanjing University School of Journalism and Communicationjc.nju.edu.cn

  Two students from the School of Journalism and Communication ranked third globally in the Young Stars competition at the Busan International Advertising Festival.

• 2008

  Advertising department becomes applied communication department

  [3]Applied Communication Department overviewjc.nju.edu.cn

  The former advertising department was renamed and reorganized as an applied communication department.

• 2001

  National undergraduate recruitment begins for advertising

  [3]Applied Communication Department overviewjc.nju.edu.cn

  The advertising program began formally recruiting undergraduate students nationwide.

• 1993

  Advertising program established

  [3]Applied Communication Department overviewjc.nju.edu.cn

  Nanjing University’s advertising program was founded within its journalism and communication education structure.

• 1902

  Institutional origins

  [5]Nanjing University Wikipedia articlezh.wikipedia.org

  Nanjing University traces its institutional history to the establishment of modern higher education in Nanjing.

A leading, comprehensive Chinese research university positioned around academic excellence, interdisciplinary scholarship, scientific innovation, selective education, and public service.

• Higher education

  Undergraduate education

  Nanjing University offers broad undergraduate study across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, information technology, and other fields. Programs combine disciplinary foundations with research exposure and, in some areas, interdisciplinary training.

• Higher education

  Graduate and doctoral education

  Master’s and doctoral education is central to the university’s research mission. Graduate students participate in laboratory, field, archival, computational, and theoretical research across a wide range of academic disciplines.

• Professional education · 1993

  Journalism and communication programs

  The School of Journalism and Communication provides education in journalism, broadcasting and television, advertising, applied communication, and related media fields. The advertising curriculum covers planning, creative work, marketing, public relations, media management, research, and effectiveness assessment.

• Research and innovation

  Scientific research and technology transfer

  University laboratories, research institutes, faculty teams, and affiliated initiatives conduct research and collaborate with public and private organizations. Reported areas include chemistry, life sciences, environmental science, medicine, materials, information technology, and related technologies.

• 2018

  Investigation into Liang Ying's academic misconduct and revocation of supervisor qualification

  In 2018, media reported on academic issues including papers by Nanjing University faculty member Liang Ying. The university's investigation found serious academic ethics and teacher ethics problems, imposed disciplinary action, revoked her graduate supervisor qualification, transferred her away from teaching and research posts, and terminated her Young Changjiang Scholar appointment contract. This entry is based on publicly released investigation results.

  Source

Read more

• New Journey United

  International

  Nanjing University released a multilingual institutional promotional film in several languages to communicate its academic identity and international outlook to audiences beyond mainland China.

  Outcome. The campaign created foreign-language versions for international-facing communication; a measurable audience or business outcome was not reported in the supplied material.

  Source

• 2008

  Reorganization of advertising education under applied communicationStrategy

  Background

  The former advertising department operated in an environment increasingly shaped by digital media, integrated marketing, public relations, and broader communication practice.

  Action taken

  Nanjing University renamed the advertising department as an applied communication department and broadened its academic and professional orientation.

  Aftermath

  The program continued to emphasize advertising strategy, creativity, management, research, public relations, marketing communication, and new-media applications.

  Source

1. 1Nanjing University official websitenju.edu.cn
2. 2Nanjing University School of Journalism and Communicationjc.nju.edu.cn
3. 3Applied Communication Department overviewjc.nju.edu.cn
4. 4Nanjing University multilingual promotional filmnju.edu.cn
5. 5Nanjing University Wikipedia articlezh.wikipedia.org
6. 6Nanjing University industry–academia cooperation projectsnju.edu.cn
7. 7南大简介-南京大学nju.edu.cn
8. 82026迎新季 | 南京大学校史馆各校区展陈活动简介-南京大学nju.edu.cn
9. 9Nanjing Universityen.wikipedia.org
10. 10Investigation into Liang Ying's academic misconduct and revocation of supervisor qualificationm.jiemian.com
11. 11Investigation into Liang Ying's academic misconduct and revocation of supervisor qualificationjiemian.com