Overview 

Southeast University (SEU), located in Nanjing, the ancient capital city of six dynasties, is a prestigious institution of higher learning renowned both at home and abroad. As one of the national key universities directly subordinate to the Ministry of Education of China and jointly established with Jiangsu Province, it is also listed as one of the universities involved in National “985 Project” “211 Project”. 

In 2017, SEU was ranked on the list of constructing “Class A first-rate world universities”. Southeast University , as one of the time-honored institutions of higher learning in China with profound cultural heritage, its origin can be traced back to 1902 when it was founded as Sanjiang Normal College, then known as Liangjiang Normal College, Nanjing Higher Normal School, State Southeast University and State Central University, etc.. 

In 1952, National colleges and Universities greatly adjusted their departments and disciplines by moving out the literature and science disciplines. Based on the College of Engineering of the original State Central University, relevant disciplines of Fudan University, Chiao Tung University, Zhejiang University and University of Nanking etc. were incorporated in succession to establish Nanjing Institute of Technology on the original site of State Central University. In May 1988, the university was renamed to Southeast University. 

In April 2000, a new Southeast University was established in combination with Nanjing Railway Medical College, Nanjing College of Communications and Nanjing Geological School. In the past 120-year school management, SEU, in the spirit of patriotism and concerning people all over the world, has been always making unyielding efforts in pursuit of prominence to achieve scientific progress and national rejuvenation. With time goes by, the school has gradually shaped its outstanding school spirit of “rigor, truthfulness, unity and diligence”, the school management philosophy of “being renowned for science and serving the country with talents”, and the school motto of “striving for perfection”. 

Southeast University is a comprehensive research-oriented university featuring engineering discipline while covering many other disciplines including philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, science, engineering, medicine, management and art, etc.. Among others, 11 disciplines have been listed as national “double first-class” construction disciplines and 5 disciplines obtain A+ in the fourth round of disciplinary assessment, both ranked at No. 8 at the national level; 12 disciplines are ranked among top 1% of ESI internationally, in which, the engineering discipline is listed at No. 20 with computer science at No. 16. Both disciplines are ranked among top 1‰ of ESI internationally. 

Meanwhile, the school highlights 3 national key laboratories, 4 national engineering research centers, 2 national engineering technology research centers, 1 national professional laboratory, 11 key laboratories of the Ministry of Education, 7 engineering research centers of the Ministry of Education, 33 postdoctoral research centers, 1 national-level think tank of liberal arts and 2 key high-end think tanks of Jiangsu Province. Southeast University is an important base for scientific research in China. The school persists in the combination of production, study and research. In 2019, the school has received the research funding of RMB 2.83 billion, applied for 3,001 invention patents with 1,783 approved, and 105 PCT patents. Among others, the quantity of invention patents as approved was ranked third in China. 

In addition, papers enrolled by SCI and EI were listed in the front rank among national colleges and universities. From 2011 to 2019, the school took the lead in obtaining 31 national science and technology awards, including 1 first prize for national technology invention in 2011 and 1 first prize for national science and technology progress in 2014. In recent years, the school has participated in several major projects, such as “Mission Moon”, “Three Gorges Project”, “500-meter Radio Telescope”, Beijing Sub-center, Hongkong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, High-speed Rail Technology, Antarctic Scientific Investigation, South China Sea Island and Wireless Charging, etc.. 

In the latest five years, the school took the lead in obtaining 20 awards for outstanding achievements in university humanities and social sciences as granted by the Ministry of Education. At present, SEU is endeavoring to create a high-level scientific and technological innovation pattern to better serve the major development strategies in China. When marching into the new century, Southeast University will persist in the thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era led by President Xi Jinping as the guidance, adhere to and practice the school motto of “striving for perfection”, establish the “first-class” awareness, center on first-rate objectives, implement top-ranking standards, stick to cutting-edge and service strategies, consider staff-students orientation and talents in priority to promote the integration of multi-disciplines, combination of science, engineering, literal art and medicine, combination of production. 

Study and research as well as international alliance, deepened comprehensive reform in an all-round way, endeavor to realize major breakthroughs in terms of talent cultivation, scientific research, staff team construction and international cooperation, etc.. It is expected to develop Southeast University to be a world-ranking university with vivid Chinese characteristics and its own distinctive features to the satisfaction of people. In this sense, it can make outstanding contributions to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and promoting the progress and advancement of human civilization.