Sichuan University (SCU) is one of China’s prestigious national key universities, operating under the Ministry of Education (MOE). It holds the distinction of being part of the “211 Project” and “985 Project” universities, receiving significant support during the Ninth Five-Year Plan period. SCU’s current structure was formed through two major mergers: in April 1994, it integrated with Chengdu University of Science and Technology (CUST), another national key university under the MOE, and in September 2000, it merged with West China University of Medical Sciences (WCUMS), a key institution previously managed by the State Ministry of Health.

The origins of SCU date back to 1896 with the establishment of Sichuan Zhong-Xi Xuetang (Sichuan Chinese and Western School), making it one of China’s oldest higher education institutions. CUST was founded as Chengdu Engineering College in 1954 during a national reorganization of colleges and departments. WCUMS traces its roots to the private Huaxi Xiehe University (West China Union University), established in 1910 by Christian missionary groups from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Today, SCU is recognized as a leading comprehensive research university in Western China. It comprises 30 colleges, a Graduate Studies College, a School of Overseas Education, and two independent colleges—Jin Cheng and Jin Jiang. The university offers programs across 11 academic fields, including Humanities, Science, Medicine, Economics, Management, Law, History, Philosophy, Agriculture, and Education.

SCU boasts impressive academic credentials, featuring 46 national-level key disciplines, 66 provincial-level key disciplines, 27 first-class Ph.D. programs, and 229 additional Ph.D. disciplines. It also offers 346 Master’s degree programs, 13 specialized degree tracks, 126 undergraduate majors, 28 post-doctoral research stations, six National Innovative Training Bases for Research and Curriculum, and a National Base for Student Education in Culture and Ethics.

Internationally, SCU has forged partnerships with over 150 universities, educational institutions, and foundations across 42 countries and regions. It has established prominent academic exchange platforms, including the “Sino-US Institute for University Design,” the “Jiuzhaigou International Laboratory for Ecology, Environment, and Sustainability,” the “Sino-German Institute for Energy Research,” and the “Western China Poverty-Alleviation International Research Center,” among others, solidifying its reputation as a hub for global collaboration and research excellence.