Sichuan University is one of China’s key universities under the direct supervision of Ministry of Education. Located in West China, it is identified as a key high-level comprehensive research university under Project 985 and Project 211. The CPC Committee Secretary of the University is Professor Yang Quanming, and the President is Professor Xie Heping. 

Sichuan University is located in downtown Chengdu, a famous historic and cultural city known as “the land of abundance”. It consists of three campuses of Wangjiang, Huaxi and Jiangan, and covers an area of 7050 mu (470 hectares) with a floor area of 308 hectares. The University, with its favorable environment and beautiful scenery, is a wonderful place for learning and doing research.

Sichuan University is actually the product of a series of mergers involving 3 national universities: the former Sichuan University, the former Chengdu University of Science and Technology, and the former West China University of Medical Sciences.

The former Sichuan University began life as the Sichuan Chinese and Western School, established by Lu Chuanlin, Governor of Sichuan, on the orders of Emperor Guang Xu. It is the earliest higher education institute in southwest China. The former Chengdu University of Science and Technology was one of the earliest multidisciplinary universities of engineering to be established during the restructuring of colleges and universities. The former West China University of Medical Sciences originated from West China Union University which was established by western Christian groups in Chengdu in 1910. It was not only one of the first western-style universities, but also one of the first universities to offer postgraduate programs in China.

In 1994, the former Sichuan University and the former Chengdu University of Science and Technology merged into Sichuan United University, and in 1998, it was renamed as Sichuan University in. CPC and state leaders including Jiang Zemin and Li Peng wrote inscriptions and gave their best wishes on the merger of the two universities. In 2000, Sichuan University and the former West China University of Medical Sciences merged and formed the new Sichuan University. “Sichuan University is a pioneer in the institutional reform of higher education as one of the first universities being reformed and has made historic contributions to the reforms of higher education in China.”, Li Lanqing, the former Vice Premier said. During the May 12th Wenchuan earthquake relief, CPC and state leaders including Wu Bangguo and Wen Jiabao paid visits to Sichuan University.

Sichuan University enjoys a long tradition in education and boasts many renowned scholars. Over the past century, the University has attracted masters such as historian Gu Jiegang, philosopher Feng Youlan, writer Li Jieren, esthetician Zhu Guangqian, physicist Wu Dayou, biologist Tong Dizhou, botanist Fang Wenpei, public health expert C. C. Chen, and mathematician Ke Zhao. In its history, the University has been administered by Wu Yuzhang and Zhang Lan. It has also graduated many famous people, including: Zhu De, one of the founding fathers of the People’s Republic of China; Yang Shangkun, former Chairman of China; Guo Moruo and Ba Jin, renowned writers; as well as national heroes Jiang Zhujun and Mao Yingcai. Over 50 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering are alumni of Sichuan University, and among the 50 “Sichuan Cultural Celebrities” in 2001, 36 were alumni of Sichuan University.

Sichuan University has a comprehensive range of disciplines covering 11 categories, namely, liberal arts, science, engineering, medicine, economy, management, law, history, philosophy, agriculture and education. It consists of 30 colleges, including a postgraduate college and an overseas education college. Sichuan University has 27 primary disciplines which offer doctor and master degrees. Besides, the University offers 229 doctoral programs, 346 master programs, 13 professional master’s programs, 126 undergraduate programs, and 28 post-doctoral research stations. It also has 46 national key disciplines and 4 national key cultivated disciplines. There are  4 affiliated hospitals to the university under the direct supervision of Ministry of Health.

Sichuan University gathers many prominent scholars and professors. There are about 4000 full-time teachers, 1395 of whom have senior titles and1841 have doctor’s degrees, 13 members of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, 6 Outstanding Professors, 3 experts from the 1000-elite Program, 18 professors of Cheung Kong Scholars Program, 9 Chair Professors, 6 Chief Scientists of 973 Project, 41 awardees of Young Scientists Fund and 10 awardees of National Award for Distinguished Teachers.

Sichuan University (SCU) boasts a qualified faculty of over 3900 full-time teachers, including 993 full professors and 1437 associate professors, 12 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 6 “Sichuan University outstanding professors”, 3 professors of the national “one thousand scholars” program, 10 national outstanding teachers, 6 chief scientists of Project 973, 8 chief experts of “National Social Science Fund of Major Tender (Commission) Project”, 18 chair professors and 9 lecture professors of the Chang Jiang Scholars Program, 41 "Young and Middle-Aged Experts Nationally Acknowledged for Their Outstanding Achievements".