Northwest University for Nationalities (NWUN) has long been overlooked as a mediocre school recruiting minority students in remote northwestern Gansu province. But the university has actually been making great contributions on many frontiers for decades.

Zhao De'an, president of Northwest University for Nationalities, speaks at a media session at the university in Lanzhou, Gansu province, August 2. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

"Based on boosting the regional economy (by producing talented students hailing from ethnic minorities), NWUN has a national vision, which is that the prosperity of ethnic groups can play a role in deciding a country's world status," said Zhao De'an, NWUN's president.

Zhao made the remark at a media session on Friday in hopes of promoting the multi-disciplinary university's efforts in education and research of minority groups.

Originating from a small institution in Lanzhou city that only enrolled about 120 students from nine ethnic groups dating back to 1960, the university now accommodates more than 25,000 from all China's 56 nationalities majoring in 67 subjects, said Zhao, adding that the university has cultivated approximately 130,000 talented professionals in a variety of fields for the country.

Tens of thousands of students from every corner of the country studying and living under the same roof also means they will learn to be tolerant and respectful of different habits, which will ultimately propel national harmony, he said.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)