Northwestern Polytechnical University

Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) is a leading multidisciplinary and research-oriented university located in Xi'an, the cradle of Chinese civilization and starting point of the ancient Silk Road.[5] Originally founded as the State Northwest Institute of Engineering in Hanzhong in 1938 through an amalgamation of Beiyang Institute of Engineering, the Engineering College of Peking University, the Engineering College of Northeast University, and Jiaozuo Institute of Engineering, NPU was formally established in its current form in 1957 by merging the National Northwest Polytechnic Institute and Xi'an Astronautic College, with the Astronautic Department of Harbin Engineering College joining in 1970.[3][5] The university has evolved from its original focus on science and technology to become a comprehensive research institution with 17 academic schools, an international education college, an honors college, and a Joint Educational Institute.

NPU is classified as a key university in China's Project 985 and Project 211, both of which aimed to raise the research bar at high-level Chinese universities, and was selected into the national "Double First Class" plan in 2017.[2][4] The university is affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and is a member of the "Excellent Union 9 (E9)" in China.[4] NPU's unique value lies in its research and education programs in aeronautics, astronautics, and marine technology engineering, with particular strength in materials science, mechanical engineering, mechanics, computer science, communication and control sciences.[2] The material science discipline is ranked among the global top 0.1% according to the Essential Science Indicators, and the discipline of Aeronautics and Astronautics Science and Technology was rated A+ in the latest National Disciplinary Evaluation.[2]