Aurora University (Shanghai)

Aurora University (French: Université l'Aurore, Chinese: 震旦大學; pinyin: Zhèndàn Dàxué) was a Catholic university in Shanghai from 1903 to 1952.[1]

Aurora University
Université l'Aurore
Aurora University, circa 1940
Other name
Zhendan University (震旦大學)
Active1903 (1903)–1952 (1952)
FounderMa Xiangbo, SJ
Religious affiliation
(Jesuit)
Location
Shanghai
,
China
LanguageChinese
Aurora University
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese震旦大學
Simplified Chinese震旦大学
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhèndàn Dàxué
Wade–GilesChen4-tan4 Ta4-hsüeh2
French name
FrenchUniversité l'Aurore

History

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The university was founded on 27 February 1903 by Ma Xiangbo and French Jesuits. In 1905, Ma resigned to establish Fudan University, and Aurora was thereafter run by French Jesuits until the Communist Revolution. From 1908 onwards, it was located in Shanghai's French Concession.[2] "By the 1940s, the institution had grown to become one of the largest, if not the largest, among Shanghai’s private universities and included faculties of Law, Medicine, Sciences, Applied Sciences, and Literature, along with a Preparatory Course,Women’s College, nursing program, dental training, a renowned natural sciences museum (Le Musée Heude), and a number of associated collèges and lycées in Shanghai and other cities throughout Jiangnan."[3]

In 1952, Aurora University merged into East China Normal University and Fudan University, while the chemistry department was absorbed by the newly founded East China Institute of Chemical Technology and the medical school joined the Shanghai Second Medical College.[4]

Notable alumni and faculty

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jean-Paul Wiest, "Bringing Christ to the nations: shifting models of mission among Jesuits in China." Catholic Historical Review 83.4 (1997): 654-681.
  2. ^ Ruth Hayhoe, "Towards the Forging of a Chinese University Ethos: Zhendan and Fudan, 1903-1919," The Chinese Quarterly, 94 (June, 1983), 323-341.
  3. ^ Steven Pieragastini, “A French University in China? The Forgotten History of Zhendan University (L’Universitél’Aurore, 震旦大學 Zhendan daxue)” Outre-Mers, Revue d'histoire (No. 394-395, 1er semestre), p. 87.
  4. ^ Xian, Liu (2009). "Two universities in Shanghai". Christian Higher Education. 8 (5): 405–421. doi:10.1080/15363750903018280. S2CID 145124232.

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