Xiamen University, the first university founded by an overseas Chi- nese, marked its 100th anniversary on April 6, 2021. Its founder Tan Kah-kee, born in Singapore, set the mission that “education is the foundation of the nation,” which aimed to advance the frontiers of knowledge, cultivate professional talent and expound world cul- tures under the motto of “pursue excellence, strive for perfection.” The university on Xiamen Island in Southeast China’s Fujian Province is well-known for its picturesque campus and humanities colleges. Over the past 100 years, it fostered many leading figures in politics, business and culture, and played a significant role in rejuvenating the country before the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. It is thought-provoking that the university has stood at the forefront of China’s higher education since it is far from the country’s political centers, economic hubs or cultural bases.
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