Renmin University of China


Renmin University of China, often referred to as RUC, or colloquially Renda, is a research university located in Haidian District of Beijing. RUC is classified as a Class A university under the Double First Class University Plan and is generally considered one of the premier universities in the country. It is also funded by Project 985 and by Project 211.
RUC is entitled 25 national key disciplines, ranks No.5 of China, 13 national key research bases of humanities and social sciences, ranks No.1 of China, and 6 national teaching and research bases of fundamental arts disciplines, ranks No.1 of China.

History

The origins of Renmin University of China date back to Shanbei Public School, established in 1937 by the Communist Party of China in order to "bring up hundreds of thousands of revolutionary comrades to meet the needs of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression." Later it was renamed as the North China United University and North China University. Several institutions were merged to form a single Renmin University of China in 1950. Wu Yuzhang, Cheng Fangwu, Guo Yingqiu, Yuan Baohua, Huang Da, Li Wenhai, Ji Baocheng, Chen Yulu had successively held the position of principal. The current principal of Renmin University of China is Liu Wei.

Present

Currently Renmin University consists of 23 schools, 13 research institutes and the graduate school, with 60 specialties for undergraduate, 8 specialties for the second-bachelor's degree students, 140 specialties for the master's degree candidates and 92 specialties for the Doctor's degree candidates.
The University library has 2.5 million holdings, and is recognized as the Information Center of Arts Literatures by the Ministry of Education. The new library building opened in the second half of 2011. The Renmin University of China Press is one of the most famous publishers and the first university press in China which has published a large number of academic works in humanities and social sciences.
Renmin University has established its communications and cooperative relationships with 125 universities and research institutions of 32 countries and regions, which enables the University to be the center of academic and cultural communications between China and foreign countries. Many famous scholars have given lectures or attended special seminars in Renmin University, including the Nobel Prize in Economics winners Robert Mundell, Joseph E. Stiglitz, Michael Spence, John Forbes Nash, Edmund S. Phelps, Myron Scholes and Reinhard Selten.
Renmin University of China is one of the leading humanities and social science-focused universities in China, gaining national recognition for excellence in theoretical economics, applied economics, legal studies, sociology, journalism and communication, business administration, statistics, public administration, and Marxism theory. According to the evaluation report of Ministry of Education of China, Renmin University's Law School, School of Finance, School of Economics, School of Sociology and Population Studies, School of Journalism rank top one among China's universities. Generally speaking Renmin University is considered as one of the best places for social science students in China.

Schools and departments

Rural Reconstruction Center of Renmin University was established in 2005 and is based in Beijing. Its main mission is to explore the theory and practice of rural reconstruction. It partakes in fair trade advocacy and coordinating urban and rural green energy initiatives as well as the promotion of fair education.

Campuses

Renmin University of China currently possesses two active campus, one campus under construction and one former campus.

Academics

Renmin University maintains collaborative relationships and exchange programs with many well-known universities around the world, such as Queen's University, Boston College Law School, Columbia University, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Princeton University, University of Geneva, McGill University, Queen Mary University of London, King's College London, Waseda University, Carleton University, the University of Chicago, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and the University of Michigan and Yale University. In January 2010, Zhang Lei, a graduate of Renmin University and Yale School of Management, donated US$8,888,888 to the SOM, the largest alumni gift the school had received. Under the auspices of the gift, Renmin University students study at Yale through a summer program.
Renmin University School of Labor and Human Resources maintains an exchange relationship with the Huamin Research Center and the School of Social Work at Rutgers University. Every year since 2010, study abroad students and faculty from Rutgers exchange with their Renmin University counterparts. Renmin University is a popular destination for visiting foreign dignitaries. During his state visit to China in January 2008, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited Renmin University with Premier Wen Jiabao to talk with students, scholars, athletes and entrepreneurs.
The School of International Studies offers a Double Masters in Asian and European Affairs with King's College London.
The research and opinions of Renmin University professors are frequently cited in influential media outlets, such as the New York Times. Professors cited in the New York Times in recent years include Chen Weidong, Hou Dongming, Jin Canrong, Pan Suiming, Shi Yinhong, Zhang Ming, Zhou Xiaozheng, among others, and their expertise covers law, economics, sociology, political science and international relations.
Renmin University students are actively engaged in academic and exchange programs overseas, such as the National Model United Nations conference held annually in the New York City.
The University of Chicago Center in Beijing, which opened in September 2010, is located at the Culture Plaza on the Renmin University campus.

High school

The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China is one of the most prestigious high schools in Beijing, and is a sister school of Phillips Academy in Massachusetts, Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and Punahou Academy in Honolulu.