Zhaotong University

Zhaotong University (昭通学院) is located in Zhaotong City (昭通市), Yunnan Province (云南省), China. It is a provincially-run applied undergraduate university approved by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province. The university is a key institution under the Ministry of Education’s Teacher Education Quality Improvement Program and is co-built by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Education and Zhaotong Municipal Government. It also serves as a training base for local government leaders, enterprise managers, school teachers, and agricultural technicians in Zhaotong County.

History and Development

Zhaotong University’s roots trace back to 1906, when the Qing government established a normal school in the region. The institution evolved through several stages, including becoming a provincial teacher’s school and a local normal college. In 1978, it was established as Zhaotong Normal College, later renamed Zhaotong Normal University of Higher Education in 1992. The school was upgraded to a full-fledged undergraduate university in 2012 and was officially renamed Zhaotong University in March of the same year. It became the first undergraduate institution in Zhaotong City.

In 2021, the university’s “Dai Yucheng Expert Workstation” led by Vice President Liu Honggao was approved as the first provincial-level academic workstation in Zhaotong. In 2022, the university was included in the Ministry of Education’s Teacher Education Quality Improvement Program, and in 2023, it was recognized as a model unit for ethnic unity and progress by Yunnan Province.

Campus and Facilities

As of November 2024, Zhaotong University covers an area of over 800 acres with teaching and research equipment valued at 153.7 million RMB. The university offers 32 undergraduate programs, including two national-level first-class professional construction points and three provincial-level first-class professional construction points. There are four certified teacher education programs and one provincial-level first-class discipline. The university employs nearly 1,000 staff members, with full-time students numbering approximately 15,000.

Key Information

Founded: 1978

Affiliated with: Yunnan Province (云南省)

University Type: Public University

Focus: Comprehensive, full-time undergraduate programs

Website: www.ztu.edu.cn

Location: Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province

Motto: “Universities have no borders; great people have tolerance.”

School Song: “We Fly” (我们飞翔)

Anniversary: December 28th

University Code: 10683

Campus Size: 800 acres

Students: 15,000 (as of November 2024)

Faculty: 1,000 staff members (as of November 2024)

Awards and Recognition

National Advanced Unit in Mass Sports

Yunnan Province Civilized School

Civilized Unit Award from the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government

Famous Alumni

Lei Pingyang (雷平阳)

Xia Tianmin (夏天敏)

Academic Programs and Departments

As of April 2025, Zhaotong University (昭通学院) offers 12 academic schools and 32 undergraduate programs. The programs cover a wide range of disciplines, providing students with ample opportunities for specialization.

Academic Schools and Majors

School of Humanities (人文学院)
Majors: Chinese Language and Literature (汉语言文学), History (历史学), Secretarial Studies (秘书学), Journalism (新闻学)

School of Management (管理学院)
Majors: Public Administration (行政管理), Accounting (会计学), Financial Management (财务管理)

School of Educational Science (教育科学学院)
Majors: Preschool Education (学前教育), Primary Education (小学教育)

School of Foreign Languages (外国语学院)
Majors: English (师范类) (英语)

School of Mathematics and Statistics (数学与统计学院)
Majors: Mathematics and Applied Mathematics (Teacher Training) (数学与应用数学（师范类）), Applied Statistics (应用统计学), Financial Mathematics (金融数学)

School of Physics and Information Engineering (物理与信息工程学院)
Majors: Physics (物理学), Computer Science and Technology (计算机科学与技术), Internet of Things Engineering (物联网工程), Electrical Engineering and Automation (电气工程及其自动化), Digital Media Technology (数字媒体技术), Data Science and Big Data (数据科学与大数据)

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (化学化工学院)
Majors: Applied Chemistry (应用化学), Food Quality and Safety (食品质量与安全)

School of Physical Education (体育学院)
Majors: Physical Education (体育教育)

School of Arts (艺术学院)
Majors: Music (音乐学), Fine Arts (美术学), Craft Art (工艺美术), Calligraphy (书法学)

School of Agricultural and Life Sciences (农学与生命科学学院)
Majors: Plant Science and Technology (植物科学与技术), Biology (生物科学), Smart Agriculture (智慧农业), Horticulture (园艺), Plant Protection (植物保护)

School of Geoscience and Tourism (地理科学与旅游学院)
Majors: Geoscience (地理科学), Tourism Management (旅游管理), Land Resource Management (土地资源管理)

School of Marxism (马克思主义学院)
Majors: –

Faculty and Staff

As of August 2024, Zhaotong University (昭通学院) employs nearly 1,000 staff members, including 277 with senior titles and 547 holding doctoral or master’s degrees. The university is home to renowned experts and scholars, including national-level accounting professionals, members of various educational committees, and recipients of prestigious awards. The faculty includes 40 distinguished experts, including doctoral advisors and 45 master’s advisors.

Notable Faculty Members

National Accounting Expert (全国会计名家): Chen Hong (陈红)

Recipient of the National May 1st Labor Medal (全国五一劳动奖章获得者): Li Ruoqing (李若青)

Provincial-Level Teaching Experts (省级教学名师): Tao Ren (陶仁), Lu Qiao (卢巧), Zhou Ling (周玲)

Teaching and Quality Engineering

Zhaotong University (昭通学院) has made significant strides in developing its academic programs and improving the quality of education. As of August 2024, the university boasts several national and provincial-level teaching achievements:

National-Level First-Class Professional Construction Points (国家级一流专业建设点): 2
Majors: Food Quality and Safety (食品质量与安全), Plant Science and Technology (植物科学与技术)

Provincial-Level First-Class Professional Construction Points (省级一流专业建设点): 3

Provincial-Level Key Construction Majors (省级重点建设专业): Chinese Language Education (语文教育), Mathematics Education (数学教育)

Provincial-Level Characteristic Majors (省级特色专业): Modern Educational Technology (现代教育技术), Chemistry Education (化学教育)

Provincial-Level Key Teaching Teams (省级教学团队): Modern Educational Technology Professional Course Teaching Team (现代教育技术专业课程教学团队)

Provincial-Level Demonstration Internship and Training Base (省级示范实习实训基地): Yunnan Daxianbao Black-necked Crane National Nature Reserve Teaching and Research Base (云南大山包黑颈鹤国家级自然保护区教学科研基地)

Teaching Achievements

As of August 2024, Zhaotong University (昭通学院) has received four provincial-level teaching achievement awards. Some of the notable awards include:

First Prize in Basic Education (基础教育领域一等奖): “Focus, Strength, and Action: The Ecological Model of Preschool Health Education in Rural Areas in the New Era”

Second Prize in Higher Education (高等教育领域二等奖): “Innovation and Practice of the New Agricultural Science Talent Cultivation Model in Deeply Impoverished Areas”

Second Prize in Vocational Education (职业教育领域二等奖): “Exploration and Practice of a School-Government-Enterprise Collaborative Education Model for the Internet of Things Engineering Major”

Collaborations and Partnerships

In May 2025, Zhaotong University (昭通学院) signed a second-round comprehensive cooperation framework agreement with Yunnan Agricultural University (云南农业大学), further strengthening its academic and research collaborations.

Zhaotong University (昭通学院) continues to build a strong academic reputation and provides extensive resources for both students and faculty to excel in their academic and professional pursuits.

Research and Academic Resources

Research Platforms

As of August 2024, Zhaotong University (昭通学院) has several research platforms, including:

Yunnan Provincial Tianma and Fungi Symbiosis Biology Key Laboratory (云南省天麻与真菌共生生物学重点实验室)

Yunnan Provincial Tianma Green Planting and Processing Engineering Research Center (云南省天麻绿色种植与加工工程研究中心)

Yunnan Provincial Research Base for Strengthening the Awareness of the Chinese Nation Community (云南省铸牢中华民族共同体意识研究基地)

5 Academician Expert Workstations (院士专家工作站)

2 Provincial-Level Key Laboratories (省级重点实验室)

Yunnan Provincial National Language and Writing Promotion Base (云南省国家语言文字推广基地)

These platforms are supported by more than 300 teaching and research laboratories, as well as training centers. They also include more than 100 provincial-level practical training bases and innovation centers.

Research Achievements

As of August 2024, the university has:

3 provincial and ministerial-level “Four New” professional construction projects

7 Ministry of Education Industry-University-Research Projects

5 Supply-Demand Matching Employment Education Projects

15 provincial-level teaching reform projects

1 provincial-level modern industrial college

The university has also launched more than 80 national and provincial-level scientific research projects, won over 10 national and provincial-level awards, and published nearly 200 high-level research papers.

Library Resources

As of April 2025, the university library holds:

Over 1.28 million physical books and documents (纸质文献)

19 digital resource databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (中国知网), Wanfang Data (万方), and other academic platforms

More than 1.5 million electronic books (电子图书)

Campus Culture

School Emblem

The school emblem features a design based on the first letters “Z” and “T” from Zhaotong University (昭通学院), symbolizing the school’s mission and values.

The flying bird represents innovation and progress.

The open book symbolizes respect for knowledge and talent.

The ship’s sail represents ambition and forward momentum.

The blue color symbolizes vast opportunities, while the circle represents infinity and continuous growth. The emblem encapsulates the university’s motto: “The University is Boundless, and Great Individuals are Inclusive” (大学无疆，大人有容).

Campus Motto

“The University is Boundless, and Great Individuals are Inclusive” (大学无疆，大人有容)
“Respect for Virtue, Dedication, Practicality, and Innovation” (崇德、敬业、务实、创新)

Anniversary

Zhaotong University (昭通学院) celebrates its founding anniversary on December 28 each year.

Student and Club Culture

Zhaotong University (昭通学院) supports a vibrant student life, with guidance from the Communist Youth League of Zhaotong University (共青团昭通学院委员会). Various campus activities are organized, including the Student Technology Festival (大学生科技节), Campus Culture Festival (校园文化节), and Club Culture Festival (社团文化节). Notable events include talent shows, music competitions, etiquette contests, and public speaking contests.

Administration

Current Leadership

Party Secretary: Li Ruoqing (李若青)

Vice Party Secretary and President: Liu Honggao (刘鸿高)

Vice Party Secretary: Chen Yonghua (陈永华)

Party Committee Member and Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary: Shen Shiyan (申时燕)

Vice President: Lu Qiao (卢巧)

Vice Presidents: Rao Xunjian (饶勋剑), Yang Shunqiang (杨顺强)

Past Leadership

Party Secretary:

  • Wu Yongfei (邬永飞) – 2012 to 2019

  • Zhou Xuebin (周学斌) – 2019 to 2022

  • Chen Hong (陈红) – 2022 to 2024

  • Li Ruoqing (李若青) – 2024 to present

President:

  • Ma Lijuan (马丽娟) – 2012 to 2018

  • Zhou Xuebin (周学斌) – 2018 to 2019

  • Chen Hong (陈红) – 2019 to 2022

  • Li Ruoqing (李若青) – 2022 to 2024

  • Liu Honggao (刘鸿高) – 2024 to present

Campus Environment

Zhaotong University (昭通学院) is located in Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong City (昭阳区昭通市), Yunnan Province (云南省). As of August 2024, the university occupies an area of over 800 acres.

Alumni

Notable Alumni

Wu Jianzhi (吴建智) – National Moral Model (全国道德模范)

Kan Jianjun (阚建军) – National Top 100 Criminal Police Officer (全国百佳刑警)

Xia Tianmin (夏天敏) – Lu Xun Literature Award Winner (鲁迅文学奖获得者)

Lei Pingyang (雷平阳) – Lu Xun Literature Award Winner (鲁迅文学奖获得者)

Ma Hao (马皓) – Asian Games Champion (亚运会冠军)

Wu Zhifan (伍志帆) – Asian Games and Asian Championships Champion (亚运会、亚锦赛冠军)

Zhang Ying (张瑛) – National Outstanding Teacher (全国优秀教师)

Honors and Awards

Zhaotong University (昭通学院) has received various awards, including:

Yunnan Provincial Education System Personnel Work Advanced Collective (云南省教育系统人事工作先进集体) – 2006

Zhaotong City Volunteer Service Excellent Team (昭通市志愿服务优秀团队) – 2017

“Blood Donation Promotion Award” from the National Health Commission (国家卫生健康委等授予“无偿献血促进奖”) – December 25, 2020

Key Supported Institution in Teacher Education Collaborative Quality Improvement Plan (教育部师范教育协同提质计划重点支持院校) – 2022

Fourth Batch of Ethnic Unity and Progress Demonstration Unit in Yunnan Province (云南省第四批民族团结进步示范单位) – 2023

Zhaotong University (昭通学院) continues to promote academic excellence and social responsibility, while nurturing well-rounded professionals for the future.