Xinyang Normal University was founded in 1975, and was accredited by the State Council of China in 1978 to enroll students in four year degree courses. In 1979 it became one of the first academic institutions in China to enjoy the right to confer BA degrees. It was authorized by the State Council of China to award MA degrees in 1998.

The university is located in Henan province within the city of Xinyang. There is easy access to train and bus services and major airports are within 3 hours. Xinyang is two hundred kilometers north of Wuhan ( China’s third largest city). There are many tourist attractions within the surrounding area. Situated to the west is Nanwan Lake, so called, “Pearl between the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers,” with Rooster Mountain a National Park , known as, “Park in the Clouds,” to its south.

The campus is landscaped with a variety of trees and flowers and several feature fountains. This picturesque setting is an ideal learning environment. The university has a new library (opening May 2007) comprising some 1,600,000 volumes of books, and more than 3,800 journals and magazines from all over the world. There is an experimental center with 68 laboratories, an information center with 98 micro teaching classrooms as well as multi media classrooms. The campus has many newly completed facilities further underlining Xinyang Normal University’s commitment to provides a modern, progressive learning facility.

After some thirty years of joint efforts between faculty, staff and students, the university has evolved into a modern learning institution consisting of 18 schools and 3 teaching and research sections. There are four year degree specialties in Liberal Arts, Science, Engineering Technology, Economics, Arts, Physical Education and Educational Management. The university has a committed professional and highly qualified staff. There are four hundred and forty-four professors, associate professors and four hundred and twenty-four teachers with MA or PhD degrees. Student numbers currently exceed 13,000 and a further six thousand students studying by distance education or on a part time basis.

The Mission Statement of the University is:

“ to develop the intellect of students, to discover and disseminate knowledge, and to serve and strengthen society by enhancing awareness in scientific, technical and educational arenas.”

Within this broad mission statement the university strives to instill in students a life long desire to learn. Students will gain knowledge that will enable them to contribute to the betterment of society, and to apply the resources and research skills they have acquired to the service of the city, the province, the nation and the world in ways that will benefit humanity.

An educational framework has been established to train the students to become qualified middle school teachers who possess high moral and ethical standards, rich knowledge and competencies of the highest order. Xinyang Normal University has been recognized as a leader in educational reform. This is evidenced by the university attaining many prestigious awards :

• The education reform project, “Two Direction Training: a New Approach to Teaching Practice for Normal University Students,” completed by the university was awarded first prize by the Education Commission of China.
• The Education Committee of Henan Province has also recognized the university in provincial awards.
• Thirty research projects have won numerous awards and have been recognized at various levels by educational bodies.
• Provincial level appraisal has been attained in another sixty research projects.

Twenty-five percent of students continue their studies towards MA degrees. After graduation above 95% of all graduates attain employment. Many graduates from the university have gone on to excel in their chosen disciplines.

Xinyang Normal University has always placed great emphasis on scientific research. Since 1996, the university has directed and completed :

• 13 research projects funded by the National Social Science and the National Science Fund.
• 160 by the Social Science Fund and the Science Fund of Henan Province.
• 166 projects were sponsored by the Education Bureau of Henan Province.
• The teachers of the university have published 215 books and 3200 papers among which 407 have been awarded prizes by all levels of Government.

A number of Applied Scientific Research Projects have been converted into practical application. The university has established relations and carried out academic exchanges with some universities in the U.S.A, U.K, Canada, Japan and South Korea. The Xinyang Normal University journal is circulated in more than 10 countries and is listed as a core periodical by the Social Science Department of China.

Xinyang Normal University fosters equality, and encourages all students to uphold the well established school spirit. Unity, diligence, realistic goals and innovational ideas and methods are encouraged. The university has been recognized with the following achievements :

• Model university for students social activities by Henan Province. This title has been awarded for 16 years in succession.
• Model university for student social activities in China for 11 consecutive years.
• National prize for wiping out illiteracy.
• Landscaping and amenities awards.

In 2001, the university successfully passed the education evaluation carried out by the Education Ministry of China. It continues to implement strategic plans to improve the physical and academic environment. The evaluation process will continue to ensure that Xinyang Normal University will grow and develop into one of the most outstanding universities in China within the next 5 to 10 years.