Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT)

In 1940, the Communist Party of China founded the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), the country's first science and engineering university, in Yan'an, Shaanxi province.  The Beijing Institute of Technology, with strategic plans for regional cooperation and industry collaboration, places a great emphasis on international exchanges and collaboration with leading universities around the world.  BIT has been one of the key universities in the country and was among the first to enter the national "211 Project" and the "985 Project", and to be designated as a "Top A World-class University".  BIT was originally founded in Yan'an in 1940, and moved to Beijing in 1949. In 1952, it was renamed Beijing Engineering College, becoming the first defense industry university in the People's Republic of China. In 1988, the university was renamed the Beijing Institute of Technology. Today, it is affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.  BIT is deeply rooted in Chinese history and culture. Its motto of "Take virtue as the principle, learn to be good at industry", its spirit of "Unity, Diligence, Practicality, Innovation", and its teaching style of "seeking truth from facts, not self-righteousness" have jointly formed the university's temperament and core values. BIT is currently comprised of 22 professional schools, seven colleges and eight new-type educational research institutions.