Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) is a public university with a traditional focus on science and technology but developing into other areas such as management and humanities. The Institute emphasizes ethics in scholarship, discovering the truth, and contributing to humanity through profound academic accomplishments. A university with distinctive programs and global influence. BIT is dedicated to:
- Developing lofty ideals and sound scholarship, a healthy body, and a quiet heart
- Evolving a pragmatic and humble spirit and creating a culture of excellence
- Improving research capabilities and achieving distinction in defense technology
BIT was founded in 1940 in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, and was relocated to Beijing in 1949. The following year, the main campus and the Departments of Maths, Physics, and Chemistry of the Institut Franco-Chinois were merged with BIT.
BIT has always formulated its strategies in light of national strategic needs and global developments in science and technology and education and its strengths and missions. These strategies include
- consolidating its strengths in mechanical and vehicle engineering and automation,
- leveraging its advantages and distinctive programs in IT-related disciplines, and
- developing new aerospace engineering strengths.
Engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics, and mathematics are the five disciplines in BIT ranked among the top 1% in Essential Science Indicators (ESI) global ranking. Over the years, BIT is devoted to improving its research capabilities. High-level achievements have been made in navigation control, injury prevention and safety, mechanical and vehicle engineering, materials science, and information systems and warfare. It has developed a clear edge in intelligent and bionic robotics, adaptive space optics, green energy, modern communications, and industrial process control.
By taking a global approach to education, BIT is increasingly established as an internationally reputable and influential institution. It has currently established inter-university collaboration with more than 200 renowned universities in 58 countries and regions on six continents. It was the lead founder of the Sino-Spanish University Consortium and the Sino-Russian-Belarussian University Consortium and the co-founder of two Confucius Institutes: Confucius Institute of the University of Lagos in Nigeria and Confucius Institute of the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. BIT is building an international university and has created a global network for exchange and cooperation.
BIT has entered into student-exchange agreements with more than 60 internationally renowned universities, including Germany's Institute Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich) and the United States' University of California Berkeley. Of its 19 specialized colleges, 15 have established double-degree programs with eight world-class universities, such as the National University of Australia. The colleges regularly organize different international exchanges, such as summer schools, overseas training, and graduation design projects.
The predecessor of the Beijing Institute of Technology is the Academy of Natural Sciences, the first university of science and engineering established by the Communist Party of China in Yan'an.
At the beginning of 1940, the Academy of Natural Sciences was born during Counter-Japanese War. It was finally settled in Beijing after undergoing trials and hardships throughout North China.
