About the Centers

Photograph of Northwest Sci-Tech University and ForestryNorthwest Sci-Tech University and Forestry

The Northwest Sci-Tech University and Forestry (NWSUAF) is located in Yangling, about 90 km west of Xi'an. It is under the jurisdiction of the Chinese Ministry of Education. In 1999 the Northwest Agricultural University, Northwest Forestry College, Northwest Institute of Soil and Water Conservation of Academia Sinica, Northwest Institute of Water Conservancy, Shaanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shaanxi Academy of Forestry and Northwest Institute of Botany were merged to form NSWUAF.

With 15 colleges and 82 disciplines, the university offers 4-year and 2 to 3-year undergraduate programs, and 47 masterŐs and 24 doctoral programs. There are 11 laboratories, 40 off-campus teaching and experimental stations. It has awarded some 3,000 masterŐs and 440 doctoral degrees in the 65 years of its existence.

The NWSUAF encourages international exchanges of students, faculty and researchers. Since 1978 the university has invited and received 3,500 scholars from abroad. Some 2,170 faculty and staff have studied in other countries. Cooperative relationships have been established with 35 institutions around the world.

Photograph of The University of Arizona's Old Main buildingThe University of Arizona

The University of Arizona was founded in 1891 on 40 acres located near Tucson. The original faculty consisted of six teachers who taught 32 students in the first University building, “Old Main”. The University was originally created as a “land-grant” college, which allowed the school to obtain federal funding for the promotion of agriculture and mining. Old Main still stands, but is now surrounded by over 170 buildings on more than 350 acres, and is located in the center of the Tucson metropolitan area. The total number of students is now over 35,000.

The original legislation establishing the University of Arizona in Tucson states that the purpose of the University is “to provide the inhabitants of this state with the means of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the various branches of literature, science, and the arts.” The University has now expanded its audience to include students from all 50 states and from more than 130 countries throughout the world. There are now nearly 600 Chinese students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees.

Aside from its primary purpose as an institute of higher learning, the University of Arizona is a leader in scientific research. The National Science Foundation (NSF), from 1999-2000, ranked the University of Arizona 22nd among all U.S. universities and 15th among public universities for research and development expenditures. In particular, the Department of Hydrology and Water Resources has been ranked 1st in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. For more general, comprehensive information, including admissions requirements, go to the University of Arizona website. For more information about the scientific and engineering departments at the University of Arizona, which will be cooperating with the Sino-U.S. Centers, please go to the University of Arizona collaborating organizations website.

 

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Sponsored by Northwest Sci-Tech University for Agriculture and Forestry and the University of Arizona. © 2002 Arizona Board of Regents. Send comments or questions to Shoshana Mayden, smayden@u.arizona.edu

Last updated March 18, 2003
Document located at http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/sino/universities.html