Nanjing Normal University
Nanjing Normal University (NNU) is located in Nanjing, the ancient
capital of six dynasties in Chinese history. Nanjing Normal University
is one of Jiangsu Province's key universities, and also one of
the "211 Project" institutions, which are designated by the Chinese
government to receive special attention and development. Its history
can be traced back to Sanjiang Normal School, which was established
in 1902.
The school operated under a series of names throughout the twentieth
century, including Liangjiang Excellent Normal School, Nanjing
Higher Normal School, Southeast University, Central University,
and even as part of Nanjing University. Another source came from
Huiwen Institute set up in 1888, which developed into the private
Jinling University, merged with the Jinling Women's College of
Arts and Sciences (which once went by the name of the Private
Jinling Women's University) and became the National Jinling University.
In 1952, when Chinese institutions of higher learning underwent
a process of nationwide reorganization, Nanjing Teachers' College
came into being, bringing together departments from Nanjing University,
Jinling University and a number of other institutions under one
umbrella of higher education.
The school became Nanjing Normal University in January 1984, and
merged with Nanjing Advanced College of Dynamics in March 2000.
Nanjing Normal University celebrated its centenary year in 2002.
The university provides bachelors, masters and Ph.D programs in
a large variety of areas such as liberal arts, history, philosophy,
education, science, engineering, economics, law, and public administration.
Over the past decade, Nanjing Normal University has established
close partnerships for education, exchange and cooperation with
overseas universities, institutes, schools and educational organizations
in different countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New
Zealand, Britain, Germany, France, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria,
Russia, Japan, Singapore and Korea. Based on these relationships,
the university has also established and maintained contacts with
relevant government departments, such as education departments,
immigration bureaus, and consulates general.
Nanjing Normal University is famous for its beautiful campuses,
of which there are three. The university is spread out across
Suiyuan Campus (the oldest, and the location of the College for
International Students), Zijin Campus, and the newest, Xianlin
Campus, which was built in 1999.
The university has comprehensive study options and well-known
programs including the liberal arts, history, philosophy, education,
science, engineering, economics, law, and public administration.
Over the years nearly 7,000 international students have studied,
researched or received training at Nanjing Normal University.
The Chinese Department offers a number of options for international
students wishing to study Mandarin Chinese at Nanjing Normal University.
Short-term and long-term classes are available, with courses ranging
from a few weeks up to as long as a full year.
Classes are generally in the mornings, with students being assigned
a class based on their performance in a placement test. Compulsory
courses include speaking class, listening class, reading class,
writing class, and grammar class.
International students can choose from a number of optional and
interesting electives. The aim of the electives is to give students
a chance to put what they have learned from their language classes
into practice in a natural environment, while gaining a deeper
understanding and appreciation of Chinese history, traditions,
arts and culture. Elective classes are generally held in the afternoon.
There are 1,549 full-time teachers and researchers in Nanjing
Normal University, including two academicians of the Chinese Academy
of Sciences.
Teachers in the Chinese Department are specialized in teaching
Chinese to international students, being fully certified by the
Chinese Ministry of Education, and having a wealth of experience
in the field. Several professors are counted among the staff of
the Chinese Department.
Library
Nanjing University library was founded in 1952, and became a large-scale
library of higher education in 2002. Nanjing Normal University
library has over 2.65 million volumes in its collection, categorized
under the disciplines of Education, Humanities, Law, Science, Social
Sciences, Arts, and Engineering.
The library has introduced many different types of large-scale
compact disc database and 60 types of network database, with the
contents including articles, history, society, psychology, technical
disciplines and many other subjects. Its powerful search engine
can also help readers find whatever materials they need, as they
need them. Most of the library's facilities are open daily from
9 am to 9 pm.
Recreation Facilities
The university has a full range of sports equipment and facilities.
For example, there are on-campus football pitches, basketball courts,
tennis courts, table tennis tables, a gymnasium and also a swimming
pool.For off-campus evening entertainment, the area nearby the
university has plenty of bars and cafes which are popular among
international students.
Laundry
Coin operated washing machines are located within the student
accommodation. Dry cleaning facilities are available near the
university campus.
Money & Banking
There are 24-hour ATMs available on campus and bank branches which
are at easy to get to; additionally, there are many banks conveniently
located near the campus. A full range of international services
is available at most banks, including money transfer and currency
exchange. For greater financial convenience during their period
of study in China, international students can also open a bank
account at their preferred bank.
Medical Care
Nanjing Normal University Hospital provides medical care for students
of the university as well as the general public. A well-stocked
pharmacy stocks both western medicines, as well as TCM (Traditional
Chinese Medicine) ingredients. Outside of the university, there
are other hospitals in Nanjing, including some with English-speaking
staff.
Food & Groceries
The university has several supermarkets and grocery stores on
campus. All of these offer a large range of products, from food,
drinks and snacks, to stationery and notebooks, and many more essential
items like shampoo, soap and toothpaste.
Postal Services
There is a post office on campus making it convenient and hassle-free
for students to send and receive mail and parcels from all over
the world. The post office also offers post boxes, envelopes and
stamps.
Student dormitory accommodations are available and rooms generally
include one or two beds, TV, telephone, desk, chairs, air-conditioning,
and ensuite bathrooms. Internet facilities are available for an
additional charge and from time to time there is room cleaning
services provided.
The university is situated in the northwest part of the city,
near the city center, Xuanwu Lake, the old city wall and the other
universities.
Distance from the airport: about an hour by taxi
Distance from the train station: about 30 minutes by taxi
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