Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU) is one of China’s oldest and most prestigious universities of agricultural sciences under the administration of the Ministry of Education.The earliest roots of the university can be traced back to the two agricultural colleges of Nanking University (established in 1914) and the National Central University (established in 1918). The university is proud of being the pioneer of modern agricultural education, research and extension and forerunner of four-year bachelor program in higher agricultural education in China.

The mission of NAU is to create a dynamic learning and research environment for its 25000 students and more than 1200 academic staff. It is committed to developing and disseminating scientific knowledge and providing the society with quality personnel of teaching, scientific research and extension, who can contribute to the sustainable and productive development in China.

NAU has an excellent track record in international exchange and cooperation. The earliest cooperation since the 1920s with Cornell University of USA in the field of crop production incubated the State Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement at the university and the National Center of Soybean Improvement. The university maintains close relationships with 30 universities in over 10 countries. Through inter-institutional exchange and cooperation, new initiatives are fostered for cooperative research. NAU staff is actively involved in the application of research projects funded by governmental and non-governmental sources, such as the sino-foreign governmental framework programs, Asian Link, Asian Facility, Framework Program of the EU and McKnight Foundation in the USA.