Huazhong Agricultural University

Huazhong Agricultural University traces its origins to 1898. It is a national key university directly administered by the Ministry of Education, joined the national “211 Project” in 2005 and was selected for national “Double First-Class” university development in 2017. Over more than 120 years, it has developed agricultural strengths and a distinctive life science focus, with coordinated development across natural sciences, engineering and technology, social sciences, humanities and arts.

It has a complete education system, with 21 schools or departments, 67 undergraduate programs, 28 first-level master’s authorizations, 18 professional master’s categories, 15 first-level doctoral authorizations, 5 professional doctoral categories and 15 postdoctoral research stations. Its strong research includes over 100 specialized laboratories, among them 3 national key laboratories. It has produced landmark achievements recognized in China and abroad in hybrid rapeseed, green rice, high-quality breeding pigs and animal vaccines.

Its discipline development has achieved notable results. Five disciplines, including biology and horticulture, were again selected for the second national “Double First-Class” discipline development list, and 7 disciplines were rated Category A. According to ESI, 15 fields rank in the top 1%, 4 in the top 1‰ and 1 in the top 1‱, across 6 broad categories including agriculture, life sciences and science.

It has 3182 faculty and staff, including 1750 teachers, of whom 609 have full senior and 881 associate senior titles, and 421 postdoctoral researchers. Leading personnel include 1 academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and 6 of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, along with nationally distinguished teachers, Distinguished Young Scholars Fund recipients and other excellent scholars. Sixty-two people serve as chief or position scientists in the Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System.

The university has extensive international cooperation and a global talent recruitment platform. Over the past three years, overseas sessions of the Nanhu International Young Scholars Forum have reached 16 countries and regions across four continents, with at least 35 events. Outstanding young scholars from over 200 renowned international universities and research institutions have participated, with overseas scholars making up more than 70%. It has cooperation agreements with over 170 institutions, including the University of California, Davis, and has established joint schools, international research institutes and overseas science and education demonstration bases. It has initiated several international academic alliances and competitions. It has 5 “111 Program” talent introduction bases and 12 China Scholarship Council cooperative projects. It has approximately 380 international students. Among international doctoral students, 85% come from leading universities and research institutes in their home countries. Several foreign teachers have received the Chinese Government Friendship Award and Hubei Government Chime Bell Award.

Looking toward 2035, it will work to become a world-class university with distinctive strengths and a global center for higher agricultural education, agricultural science and technology innovation and outstanding talent.