# Hunan University

> university in China

**Wikidata**: [Q649868](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q649868)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunan_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hunan-university

## Summary
Hunan University is a prestigious public university in Changsha, China, recognized as one of the country's top academic institutions. Founded in 976 as Yuelu Academy, it is one of China's oldest universities and a member of elite programs like Project 985 and Project 211.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 976 as Yuelu Academy, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in China.
- Located in Changsha, Hunan Province, with coordinates 28.180277777778° N, 112.95277777778° E.
- Enrolls approximately 46,000 students.
- Ranked 32nd in China in the 2024 Best Chinese Universities Ranking.
- Affiliated with notable computer scientists, including Ci Yungui (1917–2006) and Xuedong D. Huang (b. 1962).
- Part of the Double First Class University Plan and Plan 111, indicating national priority status.
- Operates under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Education of China.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Hunan University founded?
A: Hunan University traces its origins to Yuelu Academy, established in 976. It was later reformed as Hunan Institute of Higher Learning in 1903.

### Q: Where is Hunan University located?
A: The university is located in Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province, China.

### Q: What is Hunan University known for?
A: It is renowned for its long history, elite academic status (Project 985/211), and contributions to computer science, with affiliations to prominent researchers.

### Q: How is Hunan University ranked in China?
A: In 2024, it was ranked 32nd in the Best Chinese Universities Ranking, consistently placing among the top 35 institutions since 2015.

### Q: Who are some notable figures associated with Hunan University?
A: Notable affiliates include computer scientists Ci Yungui, Xing Liu (b. 1958), and Xuedong D. Huang, a Chinese-American engineer.

## Why It Matters
Hunan University plays a pivotal role in China's higher education system as a historic and elite institution. Its origins in Yuelu Academy connect it to over a millennium of scholarly tradition, while its modern status as a Double First Class University ensures its influence in research and innovation. The university contributes significantly to fields like computer science, engineering, and humanities, producing graduates who shape academia and industry. As part of national initiatives like Project 985 and Project 211, it receives substantial government support, reinforcing its position as a leader in education and research. Its rankings and affiliations with prominent scientists underscore its reputation as a top-tier university in China and globally.

## Notable For
- **Oldest continuous institution**: Traces its roots to Yuelu Academy (976), one of China’s four ancient academies.
- **Elite status**: Designated as a Double First Class University and member of Project 985/211.
- **Computer science hub**: Affiliated with influential figures like Ci Yungui and Xuedong D. Huang.
- **High rankings**: Consistently ranked among China’s top 35 universities (e.g., 28th in 2019).
- **Large student body**: Hosts approximately 46,000 students, making it a major academic center.

## Body
### History and Evolution
- **Origins**: Founded as Yuelu Academy in 976 during the Song Dynasty, evolving into a modern university in 1903 as Hunan Institute of Higher Learning.
- **Modern era**: Became a national university under the Ministry of Education, gaining Project 985 and Project 211 status in the late 20th century.

### Academic Structure
- **Disciplines**: Offers programs in engineering, computer science, humanities, and social sciences.
- **Research output**: Contributes to advancements in technology and academia, with affiliations to major research initiatives like Plan 111.

### Rankings and Recognition
- **National rankings**: Placed 32nd in 2024 (Best Chinese Universities Ranking), with fluctuations between 28th and 35th since 2015.
- **Global presence**: Recognized in international databases (e.g., GRID, ROR) and rankings (e.g., ARWU, QS).

### Notable Affiliates
- **Ci Yungui (1917–2006)**: Pioneering computer scientist and academician.
- **Xuedong D. Huang (b. 1962)**: Chinese-American engineer known for contributions to speech recognition.
- **Xing Liu (b. 1958)**: Computer scientist with significant academic contributions.

### Campus and Infrastructure
- **Location**: Situated in Changsha, a major city in central China.
- **Facilities**: Includes libraries, research centers, and modern academic buildings.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
  "name": "Hunan University",
  "description": "A prestigious public university in Changsha, China, founded in 976 as Yuelu Academy and recognized as a top academic institution.",
  "url": "https://www.hnu.edu.cn",
  "sameAs": [
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  "foundingDate": "976",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "addressLocality": "Changsha",
    "addressCountry": "China"
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  "numberOfStudents": 46000,
  "memberOf": {
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    "name": "Double First Class University Plan"
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}

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://www.shanghairanking.cn/rankings/bcur/2024)
4. [Source](https://www.shanghairanking.cn/rankings/bcur/2023)
5. [Source](https://www.shanghairanking.cn/rankings/bcur/2015)
6. [Source](https://www.shanghairanking.cn/rankings/bcur/2016)
7. [Source](https://www.shanghairanking.cn/rankings/bcur/2017)
8. [Source](https://www.shanghairanking.cn/rankings/bcur/2018)
9. [Source](https://www.shanghairanking.cn/rankings/bcur/2019)
10. [Source](https://www.shanghairanking.cn/rankings/bcur/2020)
11. [Source](https://www.shanghairanking.cn/rankings/bcur/2021)
12. [Source](https://www.shanghairanking.cn/rankings/bcur/2022)
13. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2024)
14. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/universities/hunan-university)
15. [Source](https://figshare.com/articles/GRID_release_2015_12_14/2010108)
16. GRID Release 2016-12-06
17. GRID Release 2017-01-10
18. Quora
19. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
20. [Source](https://www.zhihu.com/question/317806210/answer/634689412)
21. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
22. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
23. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)