Central China Normal University International Freshman Scholarship

About the university

Central China Normal University (CCNU), located in Wuhan, Hubei Province, is a comprehensive normal university directly under the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. It is jointly established by the Ministry of Education and the Hubei Provincial People's Government, with the Ministry of Education as its governing body. The university is a key institution in the national "211 Project," a participant in the national teacher education "985 Advantage Discipline Innovation Platform," and a member of the national "Double First-Class" initiative. Its origins trace back to the University Department of Wenhua College (founded in 1903, itself originating from Boone Memorial School established in 1871 and renamed Central China University in 1924), Zhonghua University (founded in 1912), and Zhongyuan University (founded in 1948). In 1951, the School of Education of Zhongyuan University merged with Central China University to form the public Central China University. In 1952, after incorporating Zhonghua University and Hubei Education College, it was renamed Central China Higher Normal School. In 1953, it was officially named Central China Normal College, and in 1985, it was renamed Central China Normal University, with the university name inscribed by Comrade Deng Xiaoping, one of the founders of Zhongyuan University. In 1993, Comrade Jiang Zemin wrote an inscription for the university's 90th anniversary. In 2005, it was selected for the "211 Project," and in 2012, it was included in the "National Teacher Training Program." As of June 2024, the university has two campuses: Guizishan and Nanhu. As of October 2024, the campus covers an area of over 1.2 million square meters. It comprises 30 teaching and research units, offers 84 undergraduate programs, 32 first-level master's degree authorization disciplines, 24 professional master's degree categories, 24 first-level doctoral degree authorization disciplines, 3 professional doctoral degree categories, 20 postdoctoral research stations, and 1 postdoctoral research workstation. The university has over 19,400 undergraduate students, over 21,000 master's students, over 3,700 doctoral students, and over 700 international students. It employs over 3,800 faculty and staff, including over 2,000 full-time teachers. In 1868, American Episcopal Bishop Willams, accompanied by Reverend Yen Yun Kinung, arrived in Wuchang to begin missionary work in Central China. In 1871, Willams returned to Wuchang and founded a boys' boarding school, initially enrolling only five boys, three of whom were regular students. The school was named "The Boone Memorial School" after the first Episcopal bishop of the China mission, Williams Jones Boon. In 1872, the school adopted the Chinese name "Wenhua College." In 1878, the first theology class began, with four students sent from Shanghai churches. In 1885, Reverend S.C. Partridge arrived in Wuchang as principal of Wenhua College. In 1888, St. Paul's Cathedral in Hankou selected five students from the theology class for ordination. In 1889, the new church of Wenhua College was completed. In 1890, an English class was established, marking the start of English-focused education. Student numbers grew rapidly, and the academic year changed from three terms to two. In 1896, the first enrollment brochure was issued. In 1897, the principal organized the first Wenhua fellowship, the St. Timothy Society. In 1898, first-year students founded the "Wenhua English Lovers Association" to develop public speaking skills and increase English practice. In 1899, Partridge became bishop of Kyoto, Japan, and L.B. Ridgely succeeded him as school administrator. In 1900, the school temporarily closed due to the Boxer Rebellion. In 1901, the school reopened, with British missionary James Jackson as principal. The first inter-school sports meet in Wuhan was held. In 1903, the university department (Zhenguan) was established with a three-year program. In 1905, the first student choir was formed, and a student military training team with a drum and bugle corps was organized. On January 16, 1906, the first seven students graduated from the university department, and the Wenhua University Alumni Association was founded. In 1909, the first six theology students graduated, and the medical program was independently reestablished. On May 18, the college was registered in the District of Columbia, USA, officially becoming a university under the name "Wenhua University." In 1910, with funding from American Mary Elizabeth Wood, the first modern public library in China, "Wenhua Public Library," was completed and opened to the public in Wuhan. On January 15, 1911, the first public thesis defense for graduating students was held; on January 16, the first graduation sermon was given at Wenhua Church; and on January 17, the first nine graduates were awarded Bachelor of Arts degrees, including Wei Zhuomin. On January 29, 1915, Wenhua University awarded its first master's degrees. In February 1922, representatives from the American Episcopal Church, American Reformed Church, Yale-in-China, London Missionary Society, and Wesleyan Methodist Church met at Bishop Roots' residence in Hankou and decided to establish a union university in Wuchang. In August, a provisional management committee for Central China University was formed. In November 1923, the committee decided on a three-year trial period. In spring 1924, the board of directors of Central China University was established. On September 28, 1924, the private Wuchang Central China University was founded on the original Wenhua University campus, merging Wenhua University, the university department of Wuchang Boone College, and the university department of Hankou Boone College, with Dr. Meng Liangzuo as acting president. The opening ceremony was held on October 2, and classes officially began on November 1. In 1925, the first academic seminar was organized, opening the door for international exchanges, and renowned Chinese and foreign professors were invited to teach. In summer 1926, the university council decided to make the university coeducational. In May 1927, the school temporarily closed due to political unrest. Subsequently, President Meng Liangzuo sent diplomas to students who should have graduated in June 1926, and gave all students who remained in school until May a grade of "D," sending them copies of their transcripts.