Northwest A&F University

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Northwest A&F University
西北农林科技大学
Northwest A&F University.png
Motto诚朴勇毅
Motto in English
Be honest, modest, brave and resolute
TypeNational University
Established20 April 1934
Endowment358 million RMB (research only, Year 2012)[1]
PresidentProfessor Pute Wu (吴普特）
Students28964[2]
Location
Yangling, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, P.R.China
CampusUrban, 3,944,638 m²(3.94 km²)
ColorsGreen
 
Nickname西农(pinyin: xī nóng)
Websitehttp://www.nwafu.edu.cn or http://www.nwsuaf.edu.cn
Northwest A&F University
Simplified Chinese西北农林科技大学
Traditional Chinese西北農林科技大學

Northwest A&F University (NWAFU, A&F referring to Agriculture and Forestry; simplified Chinese: 西北农林科技大学; pinyin: Xīběi Nónglín Kējì Dàxué; traditional Chinese: 西北農林科技大學), is a national key university and a member of the Project 985, located in Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Industries Demonstration Zone, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, P.R.China. The university has an old and abandoned name called Northwest Sci-tech University of Agriculture and Forestry, NWSUAF for short, which is still kept in the domain name of the university's official website. A&F is included in the Double First Class University Plan by China's Ministry of Education (totally 42 universities were included in this plan) .[3]

The history of Northwest A&F University can be dated back to 1934 when National Northwest Senior College of Agriculture and Forestry (simplified Chinese: 国立西北农林专科学校; traditional Chinese: 國立西北農林專科學校) was established by Ministry of Education, Republic of China based on an act drafted by Dai Jitao, General Yang Hucheng and Yu Youren in 1932. This was the first national senior college with speciality on agriculture field in the north-west of China and was also the only independent senior college of its kind.[4] Yangling, where the university is located, is believed as the birthplace of Houji, God of Abundant Harvests,[5] and is the area where he taught people how to grow and harvest cereals. Since 1934, 7 academic institutions or universities resided here gradually and it is reputable as Town of Agriculture Sciences. Many achievements have been made by university, such as wheat cultivars Biman 1 (by Zhao, Hongzhang)[6] and Xiaoyan 6 (by Li, Zhensheng)[7] which were dominant wheat cultivars in Yellow River-Huai River Wheat Growth Area and significantly increased wheat quality and yield. The Ministry of Education and Shaanxi Province Government proposed to merge the 7 scientific organizations to 1 new University and finally get approved by State Council in 1999, thus establishing Northwest A&F University. The university has an annual income of around RMB 1.72 billion (around £172 million) in 2011,.[8] By April 2013, the university has 1661 teachers and 28964 students.[2]

Northwest A&F University provides courses covering agriculture, forestry, engineering, natural science, medicine, management and economy etc. to both native and international students. These courses are provided by 23 academic colleges. Students can choose one college to register and pursue their honour degrees at different levels including Bachelor, Master and PhD. Studentship and scholarship from governments and organizations are available to help students finish their studies.

Brief history[]

Origins and re-organization[]

Northwest A&F University was established on September 11, 1999 by merging 5 scientific research institutions and 2 universities in Yangling, Shaanxi Province, namely

  1. Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences,
  2. Institute of Water Resource Sciences (Northwest China), Ministry of Water Resources of China
  3. Shaanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences
  4. Shaanxi Academy of Forestry
  5. Institute of Botany (Northwest China), Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shaanxi Province
  6. Northwest Agricultural University and
  7. Northwest Forestry College.

The 7 members involved in re-organization were very close to each other historically. Northwest Agricultural University has the biggest area and the longest history out of 7 members and are the origin of Institute of Water Resource Sciences (Northwest China) and Northwest Forestry College. Her history can be dated back to 1934(Year 23 in Minguo calendar) when National Northwest Senior College of Agriculture and Forestry (the predecessor of Northwest Agricultural University) was founded by the Senior Politician of Kuomintang Mr. Yu Youren, Kuomintang veteran member Dai Jitao, Kuomintang General Yang Hucheng .In 1937 and 1938, the Senior College merged with College of Agriculture of National Northwest Associated University and Department of Animal Husbandry in College of Agriculture of National Henan University (河南大学) respectively, then was renamed as National Northwest Agricultural College. Meanwhile, Department of Water Conservancy of National Lanzhou University (兰州大学) joined the college. Following the establishment of P.R.China in 1949, "National" was deleted from the College name although it remains a government funded academic school. In 1952, Department of Agricultural Water Conservancy was partially given to Xi'an Jiaotong University (西安交通大学) under the order of The State Council. 2 years later, the remained Department of Agricultural Water Conservancy became an independent academic institution which is the mold of Institute of Water Resource Sciences (Northwest China). In 1979, Northwest Forestry College came out to be an independent school from Department of Forestry in Northwest Agricultural College. In 1985, with the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery, the University name changed to be Northwest Agricultural University.
Other institutions have relatively shorter history. Institute of Botany (Northwest China) became an independent academy from Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (founded in 1956) in 1965. In 1980, Shaanxi Academy of Forestry got separated from Shaanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences (founded in 1952).

The State Council agreed to merge 7 organizations as new Northwest A&F University[9] in a reply to the proposal drafted by Ministry of Education and Shaanxi Province Government. A financial budget of 600,000,000 RMB was granted as start fund and further investment plan as well as related issue such as reshuffle were also briefly stated in this official reply. On 11 September 1999, a central government delegation led by Vice Premier Li Lanqing attended the opening ceremony and made the announcement.

List of presidents[]

Chancellor/Communist Party Committee Secretary since new A&F(1999)

Chancellor
  • 1999.9 – 2003.8 Mr. Chen, Zongxing (陈宗兴)
  • 2003.8 – 2011.1 Professor. Sun, Wuxue (孙武学)
  • 2011.1 – 2017.7 Professor Sun, Qixin (孙其信)
  • 2017.12 - present Professor Wu, Pute (吴普特)
Communist Party Committee Secretary of A&F
  • 1999.9 – 2003.8 Professor Sun, Wuxue (孙武学)
  • 2003.8 – 2013.5 Professor. Zhang, Guangqiang (张光强)
  • 2013.5 – 2015.8 Dr. Liang, Gui (梁桂)
  • 2015.8 – present Mr. Li, Xingwang (李兴旺)

Academic colleges[]

The university is composed of 23 academic faculties (colleges, schools or departments) including Institute of Water and Soil Conservation, and Institute of Ideological and Political Education. These colleges, departments and schools are in charge of undergraduate studies, offering 3,000 courses. All of them are listed below:[citation needed]

  • College of Agronomy (Academy of Agricultural Sciences)
  • College of Horticulture
  • College of Plant Protection
  • College of Forestry (Academy of Forestry)
  • College of Animal Science and Technology
  • College of Veterinary Medicine
  • College of Life Sciences
  • College of Enology
  • College of Sciences
  • College of Chemistry and Pharmacy
  • College of Information Engineering
  • College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering
  • College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering
  • College of Food Science and Engineering
  • College of Natural Resources and Environment
  • College of Economics and Management
  • Innovation Experimental College
  • College of Humanities
  • International School
  • Department of Foreign Languages
  • Department of Physical Education
  • College of Vocational and Adult Education
  • College of Landscape Architecture and Arts
  • Institute of Water and Soil Conservation
  • Institute of Ideological and Political Education
  • Innovation Experimental College

Campus and students life[]

Office Building, South Campus
NO.3 Teaching Building, North Campus. The name of National Northwest Senior College of Agriculture and Forestry, written by Dai Jitao, is still readable after around 80 years.

The University urban area is around 3.94 km2, covering two main campuses: North Campus and South Campus. Besides, Institute of Water and Soil Conservation, College of Food Science and Engineering and College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering have their own independent campuses for administrative affairs and research respectively. A 3D virtual campus map of A&F has been generated and visitors can have a virtual tour around A&F campuses on https://web.archive.org/web/20190514170338/http://3dmap.nwsuaf.edu.cn/.

Inside view of Science and Research Building, South Campus

Generally, South Campus hosts study and living facilities for senior undergraduates from College of Agriculture, College of Horticulture, College of Forestry, College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, College of Resource and Environment and College of Economics and Management. All students from International School, most of postgraduates, undergraduates from Department of Arts (Landscape Arts Design) and all students from College of Vocational and Adult Education also live and study in South Campus.

Agriculture Science Building, South Campus. This magnificent building will be used as labs by 4 agriculture science-related academic colleges.

Although North Campus is mainly for undergraduates of other colleges, some postgraduates move to North Campus for their research since they become the 2nd year students. On South Campus, Agriculture Science Building, Social Science Building, new apartments as well as students facilities are under construction now. Study and living environment will be greatly improved when these buildings are available. Besides, A&F provides vehicles (small bus) to ferry students and staff between South Campus and North Campus on a daily schedule.

The Gate of Museums Garden, South Campus

The Museum Garden (a collection of 5 museums including insects, animals, plants, soil and China's agricultural history) is located beside South Campus. The Insects Museum holds the most extensive collection of butterflies in China's Universities. This garden is also the greatest Agriculture-themed museum area in China. Besides its teaching role for A&F students, this garden is also serving as a popular science centre in Shaanxi Province and attracts thousands of visitors especially young students every year.

Entomology Museum, South Campus

A&F provides convenient sports facilities to staff and students. Across the campuses, there are 12 tennis courts, 1 indoor stadium, 2 outdoor stadiums, 1 arena for volleyball and basketball, 2 outdoor swimming pools, 48 outdoor basketball courts, 28 outdoor volleyball courts, several badminton courts and 143 outdoor tables for Ping-Pong. Tennis is popular across the campus and tennis championships are held every year. A&F also supports College Students Basketball and Volleyball Team to gain reputation in CUBA (Chinese University Basketball Association) and CUVA (Chinese University Volleyball Association).

Indoor Stadium, South Campus
Swimming Pool, South Campus

The university library was initially launched in 1934 and got extended in 1999 when new A&F was established. In both North and South Campus, the well equipped air-conditioning system in the library makes it a popular site for students' study, especially in summer. A training centre for engineering in North Campus provides engineering courses and practices to all undergraduates, especially students majored at mechanics and electronics. At the heart of North Campus stands the tallest building of A&F, the ten-storey NO. 8 Teaching Building. Along with its 12 subsidiary great lecture halls, they serve as the teaching centre in North Campus.

Library, South Campus

Chefs in 11 cafeterias scattered in the 2 main campuses cook breakfast, lunch and supper to students and staff every day in each term. However, the cafeterias are usually very busy and crowded at dining time. Among these cafeterias, 2 Muslim cafeterias[10] are specially built to cater for the needs of Muslim group. Food safety in these cafeterias is seriously controlled to provide good quality food. Campus Card (a campus identity card which acts like a Debit card to facilitate payment across campuses) is needed to buy food in all cafeterias but cash is also accepted.

Totally 48 dorm buildings are available for students. For Chinese students, 4 or 6 students share 1 bedroom[11] while international students live in single or double bedroom equipped with bathroom and toilet[12](the price is much higher). Air conditioning in all students dormitories will be available since summer of 2015. As a part of International A&F project, new apartments for international students and foreign experts will be ready since 2015. All apartments and dormitories are centrally heated in winter from 15 November to 15 March next year.

Campus events are usually hold in Xiu-Shan Students Venue Centre in North and South Campus. Xiu-Shan was named after Xiu-Shan Zhu, the father of a Taiwanese entrepreneur Yinglong Zhu who endowed NWAFU. Now, Xiu-Shan Students Venue is an important place for campus events such as exhibition, concert, gala and conferences.

  • Chinese Students Dormitory Building, South Campus

  • One Apartment for International Students, South Campus

  • Seasons Square, South Campus

  • Xiu-Shan Students Venue Centre, South Campus

Rankings and Reputation[]

University rankings
Global – Overall
ARWU World[13]501-600 (2020)
USNWR Global[14]689 (2021)
Regional – Overall
USNWR Asia[14]150 (2021)
National – Overall
USNWR National[14]58 (2021)

The university ranks as Top 3 research and teaching quality in China's agriculture universities[15] and is a member of "Project 985" club which is an organization of 39 reputable universities in China. Northwest A&F University's research achievements are dominant in the fields of agriculture biology including wheat breeding, entomology, agriculture resource management, horticulture, plant protection, food science (especially in Enology), forestry and veterinary. Besides, the university is also reputable in agricultural water conservancy, agriculture economics and management, agriculture mechanics and information engineering and ancient agricultural history research.

In 2017, Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranked the university within the 801-1000 band globally.[16]

In 2020, the "Agriculture Science" subject was ranked 11th globally by U.S. News & World Report Best Global University Rankings 2021. Meanwhile, "Plant and Animal Science" was ranked 101th globally by the same ranking. The overall global ranking of NWAFU by the U.S. News & World Report Best Global University Rankings 2021 is 689 (tie).[17]

In 2020, Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) ranked the university at 501-600 band globally.[18] In the same rankings by subjects, NWAFU ranks globally at 4th in "Agricultural Sciences", at 12th in "Food Science & Technology", at 21st in "Water Resources", at 32nd in "Veterinary Sciences", at 76-100th in "Biotechnology", at 200-300th in "Earth Sciences", at 300-400th in "Ecology", at 200-300th in "Atmospheric Science" and at 200-300th in "Environmental Science & Engineering".[19]

Notable alumni[]

See also[]

  • China-UK Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Network

References[]

  1. ^ 2013年新春献辞
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b 2012-2013学年初学校基本数据
  3. ^ "教育部 财政部 国家发展改革委 关于公布世界一流大学和一流学科建设高校及建设 学科名单的通知 (Notice from the Ministry of Education and other national governmental departments announcing the list of double first class universities and disciplines)".
  4. ^ Interview of NWAFU's Student Admission Office in 2008(Chinese)
  5. ^ Roberts. Chinese Mythology A to Z, 2nd Ed, p.70. 2009
  6. ^ Introduction of Zhao Hongzhang and Bima 1(in Chinese)
  7. ^ Introduction of Xiaoyan 6 (in Chinese)
  8. ^ http://www.nwsuaf.edu.cn/jycgz/30098.htm “回顾五年办学成就，迎接党的十八大召开”系列报道之（九）资源保障与办学支撑条件显著改善
  9. ^ Official decision on establishing new A&F, from State Council
  10. ^ One Muslim cafeterias in North Campus
  11. ^ Typical Chinese Students Dorms
  12. ^ International Students Dorms in NWAFU
  13. ^ [1]
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b c [2]
  15. ^ http://edu.qq.com/a/20120416/000438.htm 武书连2012中国大学农学排行榜
  16. ^ Times World University Rankings 2017-2018
  17. ^ "U.S. News & World Report Global University Rankings". Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  18. ^ "World University Rankings - 2020 | China Universities in Top 1000 universities | Academic Ranking of World Universities - 2020 | Shanghai Ranking - 2020". www.shanghairanking.com. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  19. ^ "ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2020 - Agricultural Sciences | Shanghai Ranking - 2020". www.shanghairanking.com. Retrieved 2020-10-10.

External links[]

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