Founded in 1902, NJU is a member of the Chinese C9 League (an alliance of nine elite universities in China). Taking its roots in the Central University and the University of Nanking, Nanjing University has traditional excellence in fundamental sciences and Humanities. NJU is also a pioneer in international collaborations in China. It is home to time-honored international cooperation platforms and centers such as the Johns Hopkins University – Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies, Nanjing University Institute for Jewish and Israel Studies, Sino-German Institute for Legal Studies etc. And it has a UNESCO Chair for Peace Studies.

With the Global Humanities Initiative, NJU has established its own Global Humanities group composed of administraive staff and relevant faculties from the School of Arts, School of Foreign Studies, School of Government, School of History and the Department of Philosophy. Since 2021, the Global Humanities Program has been listed on the grant program of “Global Engagement for Strategic Partners” at university level.