Yunnan University
 Yunnan University (YU) in Kunming was founded in December 1922, with the
first group of students starting their studies on April 20, 1923. The
university, originally called the University of the Eastern Land, is situated
in Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan. Yunnan University developed
a reputation as one of the top universities in the Asia Pacific region,
and in 1946 was listed in the world-famous Concise Encyclopedia Britannica
as one of China's 15 internationally prestigious higher education institutions.
On April 27, 1998, shares in Yunnan University's faculty of Science and
Technology were issued on stock markets in China.
 Yunnan University faces the Green Lake, a winter haunt for Siberian seagulls,
and lies next to the Yuan Tong Hill, a zoological park known for its rare
species of animals and birds. The school occupies an area of 426,669 square
meters, of which 350,000 square meters are classrooms and other teaching-related
buildings. The campus is covered with the green shades of exuberant ginkgoes
and cherries, under which lie patches of fragrant orchids and narcissuses,
as blocks of teaching buildings, library buildings and laboratories stand
out among the riot of colors created by the blooming flowers.This salubrious
climate of lasting spring is perfect for study and other academic pursuits.
 In the last five years, Yunnan University has established cooperation
in higher learning and research organization with more than 50 institutes
in 20 countries and regions. As a result, the university has become one
of the most academically active universities in the Asia Pacific region.
Currently, Yunnan University is among 61 "211 Project" universities in
China authorized for special development by the Chinese central government.
Yunnan University has also been placed on a list of key national universities
for the development of western China. The school's alumni enjoy a very
high reputation both within and outside Yunnan Province. Currently, there
are 19,872 students in the university.
Students can be accepted to study in every specialty, including 65
majors covering the seven broad fields of literature, history, philosophy,
economics, management, law, and science; the university offers two state-level
key disciplines in ecology and the nation, and 27 provincial-level key
disciplines.
In the International Exchange Department, the Chinese Language and
Culture Department offers short- and long-term Mandarin Chinese programs.
Yunnan University's Chinese programs are highly flexible and whether
students are looking for full immersion or simply dipping their toes
in the waters of Chinese language, the school can give them what they
are looking for. For long-term students, the one-semester or one-year
programs are ideal. Courses include listening, reading, writing, speaking,
grammar, magazine and newspaper reading.
Students with less time to spare can enroll on short-term courses ranging
from one to six weeks, with four hours of classes per day. A flexible
curriculum caters to the needs and requirements of the students, with
courses including listening, reading, writing, speaking, grammar, Chinese
literature, Chinese culture, and business communication. Additionally,
for highly personalized study with the full attention of the teacher,
students can opt for the one-on-one classes on offer.
In addition to the core morning classes, Yunnan University offers flexible
and optional elective courses in the afternoon. Courses available include
Chinese culture, Chinese history, Chinese customs, Chinese ethnic groups
and religion, Chinese calligraphy and painting, magazine and newspaper
reading, Chinese kung fu (including shadow boxing), Chinese folk music
instruments, national music and dance, and HSK guidance classes.
There are 2,372 teachers and staffs, among whom 222 are full professors
and 409 are associate professors. The average age of Yunnan University
employees is 40 years old, and many of the staff have been educated
abroad, in addition to their strong academic backgrounds and wealth
of experience.
The existing team of teaching staff at Yunnan University includes
185 Ph.D holders (doctorate candidates included), 683 teachers with
doctoral or masters degrees, and 289 teachers promoted to professorship
on the basis of excellent performance. The cultivation of teachers
at different levels has yielded notable results at Yunnan University.
Among the staff are five experts who have been honored for outstanding
contribution at the national level, 18 experts honored for outstanding
contribution at the provincial level, and 39 winners of a special
government allowance.
The Mandarin Chinese Language Department has more than 30 teachers
giving Mandarin Chinese language classes to international students.
All of them are expert native Chinese speakers, having many years
of experience in teaching overseas students and certified by the
Chinese Ministry of Education.
Library
The library is equipped with modern facilities, including the
modern, multi-functional and open information resource base.
It has a digital network system offering access to the entire
shared administrative network of universities in Kunming. The
operations of book access, cataloging, circulation, and public
retrieval in the library have already been put under computerized
network management.
Yunnan University library has a collection of over 1.2 millions
books; some of them are rare copies or examples of valuable historical
Chinese literature.The library at Dong Lu campus opens from
8 am ¨C 10 pm Monday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; and from
8 am ¨C 12 pm on Friday. The other library at Yang Pu campus opens
from 8 am ¨C 10:30 pm Monday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday;
and from 8:30 am ¨C 12:30 pm on Friday.
Yunnan University also has a publishing house under its administration,
which has so far issued over two million volumes of a variety
of academic works. Yunnan University's academic periodical Ideological
Frontier (Social Science Version) has obtained the status of Kernel
National Periodical in China, and the Academic Journal of Yunnan
University (Natural Science Version) has been judged as among
the very best academic journals published by the key national
universities and colleges in China.
Recreation Facilities
A number of sport facilities are available, such as football
fields, tennis courts, badminton courts, basketball courts, volleyball
courts and a running track. There is also a gymnasium nearby,
just 10 minutes walking distance from the campus.
Money & Banking
The Bank of Communication, Bank of Construction and Bank of China
are all located on or nearby the campus, equipped with 24-hour
ATMs. A full range of banking services is provided in these banks,
from cash deposit and withdrawal to foreign currency exchange
and money transfers.
Laundry
Since every dormitory provides hotel-like services, there are
no washing machines in the dorms. By paying a small amount of
money at the reception desk, students can have their clothes picked
up from their rooms and returned after washing. There is also
a reasonably priced dry cleaning service.
Medical Care
There is a 24-hour Chinese clinic inside the campus.
For students who want to go to an international hospital, Yunda
Hospital is adjacent to the university, with doctors educated
and trained overseas and speaking good English. A well-stocked
pharmacy at the hospital provides Western medication and TCM (Traditional
Chinese Medicine) ingredients. Yunda Hospital is open 24 hours
daily.
Address: No. 295 Xichang Road, Kunming, Yunnan Province
Tel: (86871) 532-4888
Food & Groceries
The dining hall offers all kinds of Chinese food and is cheap;
it is possible to spend as little as around RMB 10 a day. Alternatively,
take a short ten-minute walk from the campus to find Korean, Japanese,
Thai and Western restaurants. There are many restaurants and
bars popular with international students near Yunnan University
on Wen Lin Jie and Wen Hua Xiang.
For stationery, there is a small bookstore on campus. A cafe
and grocery store are also available, while an internet cafe is
located just ten minutes walking distance from the university.
Postal Services
There is a post office located inside the university, from which
students can send and receive mail and packages from all over
the world.
Single rooms and double rooms are available in foreign students'
dormitories. Each room is equipped with standard facilities
including a bed, chair, desk, television, telephone and toilet.
There are no kitchens, refrigerators or washing machines in
the dormitories. To set up an internet connection, students
can go to the post office, paying a usage fee.
From the airport to the university: 20 km which is approximately
30 minutes by taxi
From the train station to the university: 10 km which is
approximately 10 minutes by taxi
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