Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) founded in October, 1952, as the Nanjing College of Aviation Industry, Nanhang was renamed in 1956 to Nanjing Aeronautical Institute, and in 1993 to its current name. Since 1952, NUAA has evolved from a teaching-oriented university to a research-oriented university that is administrated by the Commission of National Defense Science, Technology and Industry. Nanhang mainly offers courses in science and engineering, and strives to integrate courses in applied science, management, humanities and social sciences with the themes of aeronautics, civil aviation and astronautics. It is among China's first institutions of higher learning authorized to doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degrees. In 1996, Nanhang was named one of the national top 100 key universities for the 21st century through selection for China's Project 211. It is subordinated to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China.
