A diploma mainly written in English shows scores that a man named Zhang Xiaoji achieved. (Photo/Huaxi Metropolis Daily)
(ECNS) -- Southwest Jiaotong University says it has found the earliest university diploma on the Chinese mainland, the local Huaxi Metropolis Daily reported on Sunday.
Issued in 1900 during the Qing Dynasty by the university's predecessor, the Imperial Chinese Railway College, the diploma is mainly written in English, showing scores that a man named Zhang Xiaoji achieved in seven major courses, including English, Chinese, Mechanics and Drawing.
The university was founded in 1896 under the approval of Emperor Guangxu (1875-1908) at Shanhaiguan by the Beiyang Railway Bureau. Unlike ancient private academies, it put in place strict admission requirements, adopted flexible teaching methods, and emphasized the blending of theories and practice.
It was moved and renamed constantly due to historical reasons, but gradually developed into the birthplace of China's modern education in transportation, mining, metallurgy and civil engineering.
Among the first batch of 39 civil engineering graduates in 1900, only 17 were able to get the diploma, including Zhang. Zhang donated his to the university in the 1960s, but there's little information about him except that he worked in the railway industry.
The university's archives said students were also required to participate in sports activities to build up their health. The four-year program for undergraduates offered more than 30 courses at the time.
The teachers and supervisors were mainly foreigners, so the diploma was mainly written in English.
The university is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its founding this year.
