Located in the magic capital of Shanghai, East China Normal University (hereinafter referred to as "East China Normal University") has long been renowned in the academic community for its profound history and outstanding educational contributions.
The predecessor of East China Normal University was the former Daxia University and Guanghua University. Daxia University was founded in 1924 by Wang Boqun and other pioneers of democracy, together with some teachers and students of Xiamen University who pursued private education, while Guanghua University witnessed the feat of 572 teachers and students of St. John's University in support of the May Day Movement, with Zhang Shouyong as one of the important founders. Both universities are highly respected for their deep concern for knowledge, personality and social responsibility.
In 1951, the fusion of Daxia and Guanghua gave birth to East China Normal University, a leading normal university in East China, which bears the important task of cultivating high-quality talents needed for socialist education. In the early days of its establishment, the university accepted a number of faculties, including relevant departments of Tongji, Fudan and other universities, and quickly established a discipline structure with teacher education as the core.
With the reorganization of the faculties in 1952, the structure of East China Normal University was further improved, and the diversified development of the disciplines was enhanced with the addition of many faculties such as the Department of Education of St. John's University. In 1959, the university was designated as one of the country's key institutions of higher learning, demonstrating its unswerving pursuit of scientific research and teaching.
In 1978, after the education reform, East China Normal University regained its position as a leader in higher education. Subsequently, the former Shanghai Normal University resumed the glorious name of "East China Normal University" in 1980, and thus East China Normal University embarked on a glorious journey in a new era.
Since the reform and opening up, ECNU has become a key university aided by the United Nations, and has established cooperation with many domestic and foreign institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Confucius Institute Headquarters to set up international talent training programs and research projects. The discipline construction of the school is improving day by day, especially in the fields of teacher education, teaching and research, and scientific and technological development, and has made remarkable achievements.
In the 21st century, ECNU continues to expand and deepen its educational and teaching capabilities, while also remembering scientific research and international exchanges. The school cooperated with New York University to establish NYU Shanghai, cooperated with emlyon business school to open Asia-Europe Business School, and is committed to the promotion and development of global Chinese education.
Today, East China Normal University occupies a pivotal position in the national higher education system, and has become an academic tower with advanced concepts, openness and inclusiveness, and is committed to cultivating innovative talents and promoting scientific research. Every step of its development embodies the wisdom and efforts of its founders and teachers and students in the past, and shows the glorious tradition of "passing on the torch for a hundred years and educating people". East China Normal University, as a bright pearl in the history of modern education in China, will continue to injure generations of students with its educational philosophy and scientific spirit, leading them to a broader world stage.