Southwest University

　　Southwest University is a key comprehensive university directly under the Ministry of Education of China and one of the national "211 Project" key institutions. The main campus is located...

　　Established in July 2005, Southwest University was formed through the merger of the former Southwest China Normal University and the former Southwest Agricultural University. The two former institutions were adjacent to each other, sharing the same roots and origins, tracing back to the Sichuan East Normal School founded in 1906 (the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign in the Qing Dynasty), which pioneered modern education in southwestern China. After years of evolution, it has grown into today’s Southwest University.

　　Nestled against mountains and beside water, Southwest University boasts picturesque scenery, covering a total area of approximately 641.93 hectares (9,629 mu), with a built-up area of 1.5794 million square meters. The university currently has nearly 50,000 students, including 34,637 undergraduates, 5,731 master's students, 819 doctoral students, and 65 international students. The university offers a comprehensive range of disciplines with distinct strengths, spanning 11 major fields: philosophy, economics, law, literature, history, education, science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and management. It comprises 30 colleges, housing 3 national key disciplines, 36 provincial/ministerial (municipal) key disciplines, 11 postdoctoral research stations, 9 first-level doctoral degree authorization disciplines, 66 doctoral programs, 22 first-level master's degree authorization disciplines, 159 master's programs, 5 professional master's degree programs, and 95 undergraduate majors. The university has 2,652 full-time faculty members, including 1 member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2 members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 932 professors and associate professors, 177 researchers and associate researchers, and 151 doctoral supervisors.

　　The university has strong research capabilities. It hosts the Beibei National University Science Park, 1 key research base for humanities and social sciences under the Ministry of Education, 5 key laboratories jointly supported by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Agriculture, 1 engineering research center under the Ministry of Education, 12 key research bases for humanities and social sciences in Chongqing, 28 provincial/ministerial (municipal) key laboratories, 19 provincial/ministerial-level engineering technology research centers, 1 publishing house, and 12 academic journals. In recent years, the university has made new breakthroughs in national-level projects such as the 973 Program, 863 Program, and National Science and Technology Support Program. It has also achieved significant progress in high-level projects like the National Social Science Fund, Major Projects of the Ministry of Education for Philosophical and Social Science Research, and Annual Major Projects of the Ministry of Education for Humanities and Social Science Research. The university has secured over 1,500 national and provincial/ministerial-level scientific research projects and horizontal projects, with a total funding of nearly 200 million yuan. It has won 17 provincial/ministerial-level science and technology awards and more than 80 provincial/ministerial-level awards for outstanding achievements in humanities and social sciences. The research achievement on silkworm gene chips and expression maps was selected as one of the "Top Ten Domestic Science and Technology News Stories of 2006."

　　The university consistently prioritizes talent development, with the mission of cultivating high-caliber professionals with innovative spirit and practical abilities. Guided by the teaching philosophy of "emphasizing personality development, highlighting comprehensive education, strengthening practical training, and serving society and people's livelihood," it actively explores talent cultivation models that meet the needs of economic and social development, continuously reinforcing the central role of teaching. Over the years, the university has nurtured over 200,000 outstanding graduates. Generations of students, with deep patriotism and a quest for truth, have made remarkable contributions to national construction and social progress. The university is a "National Base for Cultural Quality Education of College Students." For many years, it has placed great emphasis on students' comprehensive quality education, vigorously promoting the university spirit of "Rooted in the Southwest, Learning for the World," actively advancing the "College Students’ Quality Development Plan," and organizing a wide range of campus cultural, social practice, and public service activities. It advocates bringing high art to campus, establishing cultural brand events such as the College Students’ Art Festival, Science and Technology Culture Festival, and Comprehensive Quality Competition. In 1999, it was among the first institutions awarded the title of "National Advanced Unit in Spiritual Civilization Construction" by the Central Civilization Commission. In 1994, 1999, and 2005, it was recognized three consecutive times as a "National Model Unit for National Unity and Progress" by the State Council. Since 1987, it has been honored nineteen times as a "National Advanced Collective for College Students’ Social Practice" by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Education, and the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League.

　　The university values international exchanges and cooperation. It conducts academic exchanges and research collaborations with universities and research institutions in nearly 14 countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, and Russia, and has established long-term friendly cooperative relationships with over 44 overseas universities and research institutions.

　　Educating under the scholar’s tree, promoting agriculture and sericulture, learning for the world, and serving people’s livelihood represent Southwest University’s enduring pursuit. Upholding the motto of "Embracing Greatness and Continuing the Legacy," the university focuses on talent development as its core, discipline construction as its leading priority, faculty development as its guarantee, and scientific innovation as its support. With united efforts and determined perseverance, the entire university strives toward the goal of becoming a distinctive, high-level comprehensive university.