Harbin Institute of Technology explained

The Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) is a public science and engineering university in Nan'gang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China. It is one of the top universities in China and now affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The university is part of Project 211, Project 985, and the Double First-Class Construction. The university is a member of the C9 League.^[1]

The university was founded in 1920 as Harbin Sino-Russia Industrial School. Besides the main campus in Harbin, the university operates two satellite campuses in Shenzhen, Guangdong (as Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen) and in Weihai, Shandong (as Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai).^[2]

History

Key honors include the following:^{[3] [4]}

• In 1920, the Harbin Institute of Technology was originally established as the Harbin Sino-Russian School for Industry to educate railway engineers.^[5]
• In 1931, postgraduate students were enrolled from the spring of 1931.
• In 1935, during the Japanese invasion of China, the university fell under Japanese control.
• On January 1, 1938, the name Harbin Institute of Technology was reinstated, which it has retained until the present.
• In 1945, after the Japanese defeated in World War II and evacuated, HIT was headed by the Zhongchang Railway Bureau and jointly managed by China and the Soviet Union.
• In 1949, Harbin Institute of technology recruited graduate students from all over the country. It is one of the earliest institutions to train postgraduates in China.
• In 1951, HIT was approved by the central government to become one of the two institutions of higher learning to learn advanced techniques from the USSR. HIT enjoyed a reputation as the 'Cradle for Engineers'.
• In 1954, HIT was established as one of six national key universities of China, the only one outside Beijing.
• In 1984, HIT became one of 15 national major investment universities of China. In 1984, HIT became one of the first 22 universities to establish a graduate school.
• In 1996, HIT was established as a first-class university under Project 211 (a project of National Key Universities initiated by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China).
• In 1998, HIT was among the first 9 universities to be invited to join the Project 985 Club (a Chinese higher education system that provides funding priority to 39 leading research comprehensive universities).
• In 2000, Harbin Institute of Technology merged with Harbin University of Architecture, one of the famous eight old schools in China with the same roots, and formed a new Harbin Institute of Technology.
• In 2009, the Chinese C9 League was established by the Chinese central government, comprising a group of the top nine Chinese universities: Peking University, Tsinghua University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Fudan University, Nanjing University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University of Science and Technology of China, Xi'an Jiao Tong University and Zhejiang University.^[6]
• In 2012, HIT was listed in the Universities and Colleges Innovation Promotion Plan (Chinese: 高等学校创新能力提升计划), the most recent national advanced innovation alliance.
• In 2013, the results of the third round of discipline assessment were announced. The school has 16 first-level disciplines ranked in the top five in the country, and 25 disciplines rank among the top ten in the country; among them, the first-level discipline of mechanics ranks first in the nation.
• In 2017, HIT was ranked as Class A (top tier) university in the Double First-Class Construction, the most recent elite Chinese universities program.

Weihai Campus

Weihai campus is located in Weihai's Torch Hi-Tech Science Park, a scenic seaside city on the Jiaodong Peninsula.

The campus, along with the picturesque scenery and mild climate, adjoins the sea (Golden Beach) and is surrounded by mountains. It is ranked in the best 50 universities in satisfaction degree in China.^[7] It now covers totally, with a construction area of 383000m2.

HIT, Weihai now has 10 schools and 1 department, 10,466 undergraduate students, 542 master students, 110 Ph.D. candidates, 89 international students, and 861 staff members, including 97 professors and 219 associate professors. HIT, Weihai provides 37 bachelor programs and shares HIT's 22 master programs and 18 doctoral programs, with the same HIT educational standards. Complementing to the Harbin campus, HIT, Weihai has developed with the characteristic disciplines such as Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, Automotive Engineering, and the highlights in the domains of Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology and Electric Engineering, Computer Science and Software Engineering, Material Science and Engineering.^[8]

Academics

Program

The Harbin campus of HIT offers 86 undergraduate degrees across its eighteen schools along with 41 master programs, 29 doctoral programs and 24 post-doctoral research programs.^{[9] [10] [11]}

• School of Architecture
• School of Astronautics
• School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
• School of Civil Engineering
• School of Computer Science and Technology
• School of Economy and Management
• School of Electrical Engineering and Automation
• School of Electronics and Information Engineering
• School of Energy Science and Engineering
• School of Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics
• School of International Studies
• School of Life Science and Technology
• School of Marxism
• School of Material Science and Engineering
• School of Mechatronics Engineering
• School of Transportation Science and Technology
• School of Science
• School of Environment
• School of Humanities, Social Science & Law

As of 2019, there were 15,675 undergraduate students, 6,518 doctoral students and 9,680 master graduate students at the Harbin campus, including 1,984 international students from 128 countries and regions.^[12]

General Rankings

Nationally, HIT is consistently ranked among China's top-10 research comprehensive universities and ranked No.1 in Northeast China region,^[13] which includes the province of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang with a combination of more than 100 million population.^[14]

HIT was ranked 10th in China and 158th worldwide in 2023 in terms of aggregate performance from the three most widely observed university rankings (THE+ARWU+QS) as reported by the Aggregate Ranking of Top Universities.^[15]

For 2024, HIT was ranked 160 by U.S. News & World Report,^[16] # 174 by the Center for World University Rankings,^[17] and 168 by Times Higher Education World University Rankings.^[18]

In 2020, it was ranked in the 101-150 band by Academic Ranking of World Universities.^[19]

Internationally, HIT is regarded as one of the most reputable Chinese universities by the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings where it ranked 101th globally.^[20] HIT graduates are highly desired worldwide, with its Graduate Employability rankings placed at # 143 globally in the 2021 Global Employability University Ranking by Times Higher Education.^[21]

Subject rankings

Research at Harbin Institute of Technology spans a broad range of topics with a strong focus on engineering sciences. HIT has been ranked in the top 10 Best Global Universities for Engineering by the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Ranking since the ranking’s inception in 2014 by the US News & World Reports.^{[22] [23]} As of 2024, it is ranked 3rd globally in Engineering.^[24]

	2023 Rank[25]
Instruments Science & Technology	1
Biotechnology	4
Aerospace Engineering	5
Mechanical Engineering	5
Automation & Control	7
Metallurgical Engineering	7
Civil Engineering	9
Marine/Ocean Engineering	14
Chemical Engineering	17
Environmental Science & Engineering	22
Energy Science & Engineering	24
Library & Information Science	26
Computer Science & Engineering	27
Remote Sensing	28
Transportation Science & Technology	30
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	31
Electrical & Electronic Engineering	35
Materials Science & Engineering	37
Telecommunication Engineering	47
Chemistry	51-75
Water Resources	51-75
Biomedical Engineering	76-100
Mathematics	76-100

Research

Regarding scientific research output, the Nature Index 2023 ranked HIT the No.37 university in the Asia Pacific region, and 87th in the world among the global universities.^[26] The 2023 CWTS Leiden Ranking ranked HIT 18th in the world by total publications and 30th in the world based on the number of their scientific publications belonging to the top 1% in their fields for the time period 2018–2021.^[27]

Its faculty and students have invented many 'firsts' in China: the first analog computer in 1957, the first digital computer in 1958, the first intelligent chess computer, the first arc welding robot, the first world-class new system radar, the first IC CMOS chip with its own copyright, the first superway, computer real-time 3D image creation system, and the first high-performance computer controlled fiber twister.^{[28] [29]} HIT undertakes research covered by official secrets (e.g. in space science and defense-related technologies).^{[30] [31]} It made the largest contribution to the success of the Shenzhou series spacecraft and Kuaizhou series spacecraft.^{[32] [33]} One minor planet (#55838) is named after the Harbin Institute of Technology and nicknamed "Hagongda Star" by the International Astronomical Union for HIT's achievements in science and engineering.^{[34] [35]}

HIT is known to have close links to the People's Liberation Army and the space program of China as one of the main universities in China for space and defense-related research.^[36] HIT is one of the Seven Sons of National Defence.^[37] HIT has made major contributions to the Chinese Shenzhou spacecraft project. In 2010, the Astronautics Innovation Research Center was established at HIT in conjunction with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The establishment is the biggest investment of this class in China.^[38] In May 2020, the United States Bureau of Industry and Security added to HIT to the Entity List for its activities in support of the People's Liberation Army.^{[39] [40]}

Notable faculty and alumni

Academia and education

• Chen Guangxi, computer scientist and professor who founded the discipline of computer science in HIT.
• Fang Binxing, computer scientist, former president of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, chief designer of the Great Firewall of China.
• Liu Yongtan, radar technology and signal processing expert, member of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, and winner of Highest Science and Technology Award in 2018.
• Ma Zuguang, an expert in optoelectronic technology and a former member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
• Yang Shuzi, engineer, member of Chinese Academy of Sciences, former president of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

Business and entrepreneurship

• Li Shufu, billionaire businessman, chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd. and Volvo Cars.
• Yuan Jinhua, co-founder of SANY Group, the third-largest heavy equipment manufacturer in the world.
• Zhang Jian, co-founder of Broad Group.
• Zhang Siming, founder, and CEO of Shenzhen Neptunus Pharmaceutical Company Limited.

Engineering and technology

• Song Jian, aerospace engineer, former president of Chinese Academy of Engineering, member of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, and a foreign member of US National Academy of Engineering, Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.
• Sun Jiadong, rocket and satellite technology expert, chief designer for Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, and member of Chinese Academy of Sciences and International Academy of Astronautics.
• Abdul Waheed, Power Engineer from Pakistan.

Politics and government

• Li Changchun, former senior leader of Chinese Communist Party, member of the Politburo Standing Committee, and Chairman of the CCP Central Guidance Commission for Building Spiritual Civilization.
• Li Jinai, general in the People's Liberation Army, and director of the General Political Department of the PLA.
• Li Zhanshu, member of the Politburo Standing Committee, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
• Ma Xingrui, member of the Politburo and party secretary of Xinjiang, aerospace engineer, former vice president of HIT, and former director of China National Space Administration.
• Sun Yun-suan, former Premier of the Republic of China, and chief architects of Taiwan's "Economic Miracle".
• Wang Zhaoguo, former governor of Fujian, former head of the United Front Work Department, and former vice-chairman of the CPPCC.
• Xu Dazhe, governor of Hunan province, aerospace engineer, and former chief administrator of China National Space Administration.
• Zhang Chunxian, vice-chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

Sports and arts

• Kong Linghui, table tennis player, gold medal winner of Summer Olympic Games and World Table Tennis Championships.
• Shi Kang, writer, scriptwriter.

See also

• APRU
• Project 985
• Project 211
• Plan 111

Notes and References

1. Yang . Rui . Xie . Meng . 2015-03-01 . Leaning toward the Centers: International Networking at China’s Five C9 League Universities . Frontiers of Education in China . en . 10 . 1 . 66–90 . 10.1007/BF03397053 . 1673-3533.
2. Web site: 2017年哈尔滨工业大学招生访谈——中国教育在线 . 2024-01-07 . www.eol.cn.
3. Web site: Harbin Institute of Technology . 2022-09-26 . en.hit.edu.cn.
4. Web site: Harbin Institute of Technology . 2022-09-26 . en.hit.edu.cn.
5. Web site: WelCome to Harbin Institute of Technology . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080505024505/http://en.hit.edu.cn/about/international.htm . 2008-05-05 . 2008-10-01.
6. Web site: 2011-02-17 . Eastern stars: Universities of China's C9 League excel in select fields . Times Higher Education (THE) . en.
7. Web site: http://gaokao.chsi.com.cn/gkxx/ss/201306/20130617/433174530.html. zh:全国大学生满意度50强高校. 15 September 2014. 6 June 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140606191406/http://gaokao.chsi.com.cn/gkxx/ss/201306/20130617/433174530.html. live.
8. Web site: About Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai. HIT Weihai Copyright. 9 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20170815172228/http://en.hitwh.edu.cn/information.asp?id=9&nid=25. 2017-08-15. dead.
9. Web site: Harbin Institute of Technology . 2022-09-26 . en.hit.edu.cn.
10. Web site: Harbin Institute of Technology . 2022-09-26 . en.hit.edu.cn.
11. Web site: Harbin Institute of Technology . 2022-09-26 . en.hit.edu.cn.
12. Web site: Harbin Institute of Technology . 2022-09-26 . en.hit.edu.cn.
13. Web site: 2015中国大学排名 . 2022-09-26 . www.shanghairanking.cn.
14. Web site: 2019 中国最好大学排名 . 2022-10-31 . www.shanghairanking.cn.
15. Web site: Aggregate Ranking of Top Universities 2023 . 2023-12-11 . research.unsw.edu.au.
16. Web site: 25 June 2024 . US News 2024 Best Global Universities . 25 June 2024 . usnews.com/education.
17. Web site: World University Rankings 2024 Global 2000 List CWUR . 2024-06-25 . cwur.org . en.
18. Web site: 2023-09-25 . World University Rankings . 2024-06-25 . Times Higher Education (THE) . en.
19. Web site: Academic Ranking of World Universities 2019. 21 September 2019. shanghairanking.com. 21 September 2019. 15 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190815195442/http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2019.html. live.
20. Web site: 2024-02-13 . World Reputation Rankings . 2024-02-13 . Times Higher Education (THE) . en.
21. Web site: November 24, 2021 . Best universities for graduate jobs: Global University Employability Ranking 2021 Student . https://web.archive.org/web/20211125090550/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-graduate-jobs-global-university-employability-ranking . 2021-11-25 . 2021-11-25 . Times Higher Education.
22. Web site: Best Global Universities for Engineering . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171025131649/https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/engineering . 2017-10-25 . 2017-10-25.
23. Web site: 2014-10-29 . Top Engineering Universities in the World US News Best Global Universities . https://web.archive.org/web/20141029041124/http://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/engineering . 2014-10-29 . US News.
24. Web site: 2024-06-25 . US News: Best Global Universities for Engineering 2024 . 2024-06-25 . U.S. News & World Report.
25. Web site: ShanghaiRanking-Univiersities . 2023-12-11 . www.shanghairanking.com.
26. Web site: 2023 tables: Institutions - academic Annual tables Nature Index . 2023-08-03 . www.nature.com.
27. Web site: Studies (CWTS) . Centre for Science and Technology . CWTS Leiden Ranking . 2023-08-02 . CWTS Leiden Ranking . en.
28. Web site: Harbin Institute of Technology . 2022-09-26 . en.hit.edu.cn.
29. Web site: Harbin Institute of Technology . 2022-09-26 . en.hit.edu.cn.
30. Web site: Kuaizhou – China secretly launches new quick response rocket. 25 September 2013. Built by the Harbin Institute of Technology, the new satellite will be used for emergency data monitoring and imaging.... 2014-01-09. 2014-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20140812035715/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/09/kuaizhou-china-launches-new-rocket/. live.
31. Web site: Work at HIT as lecturer after graduation. 2014-01-09.
32. Web site: http://news.hit.edu.cn/special/80/index.htm. zh:哈尔滨工业大学新闻网. news.hit.edu.cn. 8 April 2018. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150712002822/http://news.hit.edu.cn/special/80/index.htm. live.
33. Web site: NASA Spaceflight: Kuaizhou-China secretly launches new quick response rocket. 25 September 2013. 15 September 2014. 12 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140812035715/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/09/kuaizhou-china-launches-new-rocket/. live.
34. http://www.iau.org/science/news/ Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs): A Chronology of Milestones
35. Web site: News of ScienceNet: A minor planet named after Harbin Institute of Technology. 15 September 2014. 2 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402141543/http://news.sciencenet.cn/htmlnews/2010/6/233027.shtm. live.
36. Web site: 23 November 2019 . Harbin Institute of Technology . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200317201327/https://unitracker.aspi.org.au/universities/harbin-institute-of-technology/ . 17 March 2020 . 2020-06-01 . Chinese Defence Universities Tracker . . en-au.
37. Web site: Cong . Forest . 4 June 2020 . US Ban on Chinese Students With Military Links Divides Experts on Impact . 15 June 2021 . www.voanews.com.
38. Web site: http://news.hit.edu.cn/articles/2010/06-05/06141401.htm. zh:提示信息. news.hit.edu.cn. 8 April 2018. 11 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130511194137/http://news.hit.edu.cn/articles/2010/06-05/06141401.htm. live.
39. Web site: Commerce Department to Add Two Dozen Chinese Companies with Ties to WMD and Military Activities to the Entity List. May 22, 2020. U.S. Department of Commerce. en. 2020-05-25. 2020-05-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20200525092122/https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2020/05/commerce-department-add-two-dozen-chinese-companies-ties-wmd-and. live.
40. News: Arcibal. Cheryl. May 23, 2020. US slaps sanctions on 33 Chinese companies and institutions, dialling up the tension amid the lowest point in US-China relations. South China Morning Post. May 25, 2020. May 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200524070517/https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3085788/us-slaps-sanctions-33-chinese-companies-and-institutions. live.