A cornerstone of modern Chinese education, blending Western academic traditions with Chinese cultural values, the legacy of Jinling University continues to this day, through the institutions it helped establish and the generations of scholars it educated.
With little doubt the most eye catching part of Nanjing University’s downtown campus, Jinling University’s North Building is located at the northernmost end of the campus’ central axis.
Often referred to as the University of Nanking and in colloquial Chinese as simply “Jin Da” (金大), the North Building was founded in 1888 in Nanjing by the American Methodist Episcopal Church. It was one of China’s earliest and most prestigious Christian universities, often regarded as “the best Christian university in China” and celebrated for its contributions to education and culture.
A lesser known fact is that the University was a sister institution to Cornell University in the United States.
In 1928, it became the first Christian university in China to register with the Chinese government, marking a significant step in the localisation of higher education.
The university had three main colleges; Liberal Arts, Science, and Agriculture, among which was particularly renowned for its agricultural programs, pioneers in China at the time.
It also excelled in English literature and Chinese cultural studies, being a leader in fields such as film and medical education, introducing for the latter China’s first 7 year medical program.
As a result, graduates of Jinling University were highly regarded; its affiliation with Cornel helping its degrees to be universally recognised by American universities, allowing graduates to directly enter graduate programs in the U.S.
While alumni include prominent figures in various fields who contributed significantly to China’s modernisation and global academic circles, the University boasted many scholars, among whom was Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck who wrote Pulitzer Prize winning “The Good Earth” on the University grounds. It became the best-selling novel in the USA in both 1931 and 1932.
Dissolved in 1952, Jinling University’s faculties were integrated into Nanjing University and other institutions, such as Nanjing Normal University and Nanjing Agricultural University.
From an architectural standpoint, as the main building of Jinling University, the North Building was constructed in 1919 on a design by designed by Perkins Architects of Chicago, USA. It was one of the earlier buildings to explore the fusion of Chinese and foreign architectural forms.
And serving as a reminder that this was then the capital of all of China, The North Building was constructed using bricks from the Ming Dynasty City Wall.
Looking up the University’s ivy-covered tower that rightfully still stands as the proud centre piece of the entire campus, a reflection on its commitment to academic rigour and moral integrity is unavoidable, as illustrated by the institution’s motto; “Honesty, Truth, Diligence and Kindness”.
