Campus Profile

Shandong University (SDU) is a key comprehensive university directly under the Ministry of Education, renowned for its long history, broad variety of disciplines, academic excellence, and distinctive characteristics. It has a great influence both at home and abroad. In 1997, SDU was included in the national “Project 211” construction program. In 2001, it was designated as a high-level research-oriented university under the national “Project 985” for prioritized development. In 2017, the university was selected for China’s “Double First-Class” initiative, a national program to develop world-class universities.

Shandong University traces its origins to the Shandong Imperial College (Shandong Da Xue Tang) established in 1901, which is recognized as one of the initial universities of modern higher education in China. For over 120 years, SDU has adhered to its founding mission of “nurturing talent for the world and seeking prosperity for the nation” and embodied its motto of being “noble in spirit and endless in knowledge”. Driven by an enterprising spirit and inspired by a legacy passed down through generations, SDU has cultivated a university culture characterized by “advocating practicality and pursuing innovation”. SDU has educated a large number of outstanding talents, making significant contributions to the country and to regional economic and social development.

Shandong University, Weihai, founded in 1984 through a joint initiative between Shandong University and Weihai Government, is a multidisciplinary, open, and comprehensive campus. It pioneered the model of renowned Chinese universities establishing campuses in different locations. As a crucial component of SDU’s strategic goal to “build a world-class university capable of undertaking the mission of national rejuvenation while rooted in Chinese soil”, Weihai Campus proactively responds to national strategies and regional socioeconomic development needs. By fully leveraging the university’s reputation, disciplinary strengths, and talent resources, combined with Weihai’s unique geographical advantages, the campus is advancing its development with a focus on three key dimensions: “an innovative campus dedicated to cultivating top-tier talents, a distinctive campus known for its academic strengths, and an international campus committed to deepening open cooperation”. Adhering to the principle of substantive, quality-focused, and distinctive development, the campus has significantly enhanced its overall educational quality and comprehensive strength.

Weihai Campus currently comprises 13 schools, spanning nine disciplines, including literature, art studies, law, economics, management, science, engineering, medicine, and interdisciplinary studies. There are 32 programs for undergraduates, 25 first-level master’s degree programs, and 18 first-level doctorate programs. There are over 12400 full-time undergraduates, more than 2600 doctoral and master’s candidates, and over 300 international students on the campus. The campus has a faculty of over 1230, including over 460 professors and associate professors, and over 500 doctoral and master’s supervisors. Among its academic team two are appointed academicians and 28 national-level leading and young talents.

Weihai Campus thoroughly implements the educational philosophy of “Learning at SDU, Growing Happily”, deepening reforms to build a top-tier undergraduate education system that integrates “general education, honors education, and innovation and entrepreneurship education”. It has successively received two national awards for its revolutionary artifact-themed “Great Political Education” resources: a Top-tier Demonstration Project (one of 10) and a Top-quality Promotional Project (one of 100). The campus boasts a strong academic foundation, with 42 national and provincial first-class undergraduate programs, 18 top-tier courses, and 19 award-winning coursebooks. It is also home to a branch of the National Faculty Development Demonstration Center and has secured two ministerial-level projects for new liberal arts reform and practice. The campus has developed distinctive innovation and entrepreneurship education, establishing a fully-fledged system of “research training - competition empowerment - incubation education”. It supports and encourages every undergraduate to participate in at least one project-based research training during their studies, all undergraduate students fulfilling the innovation and entrepreneurship credit requirement.  Over the past three years, students have won 195 national and 1300 provincial awards in various innovation and entrepreneurship competitions. They excelled in top national competitions, winning 10 top national prizes collectively in the “Challenge Cup” and China International College Innovation Contest. Their performance was further highlighted by receiving the prestigious “Excellence Cup” at the national “Challenge Cup” finals. Additionally, they maintained their position as the national leader in the number of awards won at the National College Smart Car Competition. The campus has produced multiple award-winning students in innovation and entrepreneurship, including recipients of the China Youth Science and Technology Innovation Award and Shandong Province’s Top Ten College Student Entrepreneurship Stars.

Weihai Campus focuses on accelerating the development of peak disciplines, cultivating emerging disciplines, and advancing interdisciplinary studies. Breakthroughs have been achieved in distinctive fields such as space science, marine science, area and country studies, and discipline inspection and supervision, while traditional disciplines have been progressively upgraded. Aligning with national strategic priorities and the drive for technological self-sufficiency, the campus is a key contributor to major state science initiatives like Major National Science and Technology Infrastructure Project (Meridian Project II) and National Key R&D Programs. It also leads several flagship research projects funded by the National Social Science Fund, promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of China’s fine traditional culture. Two scientific research achievements were awarded the Second Class National Prize for Progress in Science and Technology. The campus spearheaded the completion of the world’s first 1:2.5 million-scale full-map of lunar rock types and independently developed the world’s first 35-40G solar radio dynamic spectrum system, as well as China’s first spectral imaging coronagraph. Theoretical research findings on significant topics have been published in leading journals such as Nature and Social Sciences in China. The campus hosts 20 national, ministerial, and provincial-level platforms and key research bases. It has established seven high-end think tank platforms, including Shandong University Institute of International Studies, Institute of Free Trade Zones, and Institute of Blue and Green Development. The campus deeply engages in international scientific collaboration in areas such as intelligent manufacturing, new materials, marine ranching, space science, Northeast Asian regional studies, and research on the sustainable development of the marine economy - energy - environment nexus.

Weihai Campus has comprehensively deepened international cooperation and exchanges, establishing partnerships with over 120 universities across 18 countries and regions. Aiming to cultivate top-notch innovative talents with global competence, it has strengthened collaboration with world-renowned universities, including University of Oxford, University of California, National University of Singapore, Australian National University, and Sungkyunkwan University, expanding multi-level international talent cultivation channels spanning undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. The campus has jointly built international research platforms with top global universities, advanced the “Seed Fund Project for International Scientific Research Cooperation” and “Cooperation Program for World-Class Disciplines”, and established high-level international forums, including the “China-ROK Relations Forum”. The campus has proactively integrated into the university’s strategic alignment with national priorities. It has been deepening collaboration with Weihai City by tapping into the extensive talent and resources of the Shandong University network in fields spanning scientific research, basic education, and healthcare. Key projects, such as the Shandong University Weihai Industrial Technology Research Institute and the Weihai Development Research Institute, have yielded significant results. Furthermore, the campus has established over ten joint industry-academia research platforms, including research institutes and laboratories, with leading enterprises. It has undertaken nearly 600 projects commissioned by various organizations, contributing to the inclusion of certain industries in Weihai in the prestigious Shandong Provincial Advanced Manufacturing Cluster. Additionally, the Observatory of Weihai Campus engages with over 10,000 local residents annually through science outreach programs.

In the new era, Weihai Campus will adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of its 20th Central Committee, fully implement the spirit of the National Education Conference, and put into practice the Master Plan on Building China into a Leading Country in Education. In accordance with the roadmap established at the 15th CPC Congress of Shandong University, Weihai Campus will adhere to the “1-5-7-9” Blueprint (one overarching goal, five key pillars, seven core strategies and nine foundational tasks), courageously shoulder its missions, dare to explore and innovate, strive for all-round development, accelerate restructuring, and continuously create new achievements in our pursuit of a world-class university. (All data above are as of March 2025)