China Agricultural University: An Overview

China Agricultural University (CAU), directly subordinated to the Ministry of Education, is a Key National University entering the State 985 Program and the State 211 Program. QU Zhenyuan is the Chair of the University Council and CHEN Zhangliang is the President.

As the origin of higher agricultural education, China Agricultural University 's history could be traced back to 1905 when the College of Agriculture was founded in the former Jingshi Da Xuetang. The Beijing Agricultural University (BAU) was established in September 1949 by merging of Peking University 's College of Agriculture , Tsinghua University 's College of Agriculture and North China University 's College of Agriculture . The BAU was listed by the State Council as one of the Top-Six Key National Universities as well as one of the Top-Ten Key Universities for further construction and improvement. In October 1952, BAU's Department of Agricultural Machinery, North China College of Agricultural Machinery and Ministry of Agriculture's Central Agricultural Mechanization School merged together to form the Beijing Mechanized Agricultural College, which was renamed Beijing Agricultural Mechanization Institute (BAMI) in July 1953. The BAMI was listed by the State Council in October 1960 as one of the 64 Key National Universities and then renamed again as Beijing Agricultural Engineering University (BAEU) in 1985.

Approved by the State Council, BAU and BAEU merged together to form the China Agricultural University (CAU) in September 1995. Jiang Zemin caligraphied CAU's name in Chinese for CAU. Premier of the State Council Wen Jiabao gave a significant speech to CAU during his inspection tour on 4 May 2003 . Vice Premier of the State Council Hui Liangyu also inspected some of CAU's labs, talked to CAU leaders, professionals and students, and delivered an important statement.

   All CAU staff and students experienced once again the kind attention and expectations by receiving a handwritten message of congratulations from Premier Wen Jiabao on the occasion of CAU's Centennial Celebration on 1 July 2005 . Member of the State Council Chen Zhili herself congratulated CAU for the one-hundred-year of anniversary and took an official inspection tour to CAU. The CAU's Centennial Celebration and the World Agriculture Conference were convened in the Great Hall of People on 16 September 2005 .

It was CAU's great honor in receiving a message of congratulations from CPC Secretary-General Hu Jintao. Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, entrusted by Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao, participated in the grand Celebration marking the event a successful story in CAU's history. The Chair of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Wu Bangguo paid an inspection visit to CAU on 13 October 2005 .

With one-hundred years of history, CAU has developed itself as a comprehensive university with agriculture as its distinguished feature and advantage. It covers a wide range of disciplines on a complementary basis, such as agriculture and life science, resources and environment, information and computer science, agricultural engineering and automation science, economic management and social sciences, etc. Currently, CAU is composed of 13 colleges involving in nine categories of agronomy, engineering, science, economics, law, literature, medicine and philosophy. In addition, CAU also has a Graduate School and a School of Continuing Education . Speaking educational sector, CAU owns 19 Key State Disciplines, 15 Key Ministerial Disciplines and ten Post-Doctor Working Stations. A number of key labs were also established in CAU including three (3) Key State Labs, 22 Key Ministerial Labs, four (4) State Research Centers , ten Ministerial Research Centers and five (5) Innovative Research Teams.

CAU is proud of having a strong and highly qualified faculty team with 1,398 members in total. Among whom, there are five (5) Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and five (5) Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 351 professors, 598 associate professors, nine (9) specially-invited professors, two (2) guest professors, 25 young faculty members supported by the State Science Foundation for Outstanding Young Professionals and 39 faculty members financed by the Ministry of Education Program for New Century Excellent Professionals. CAU also invited a number of world-known scholars including Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug as CAU Honorable Professors and Guest Professors.

CAU has so far established a complete and harmonized system for BSc, MSc and PhD education. CAU has been authorized to award the following academic degrees: 12 PhD Grade I, 71 PhD Grade II, 23 MSc Grade I, 136 MSc Grade II, and 61 BSc. Among which, two disciplines, i.e. Biology and Chemistry, has been listed in the State Fundamental Science Research and Education Bases. CAU has always attached great attention to improve educational quality, actively promote educational reform and initiate new patterns for high-quality and innovative educational practice.

CAU has today 15,891 undergraduate students enrolled, 3,355 and 2,065 postgraduate students registered for MSc and PhD degrees, respectively. The CAU Post-Graduate Working Station has 95 post-doctorial researchers. In addition, CAU also has 2,262 and 139 postgraduate students working on MSc and PhD degrees in specialized field, respectively. The number of students registered in School of Continuing Education and those for distance education reaches 35,093.

CAU has constructed itself as a research-oriented institute in order to better serve the country and the world by using its rich and highly qualified personnel resources. Attention has been paid to fundamental researches with focus on high-technologies in the fields of agriculture and biology aiming at applied prospects significant to national economic development. In year 2005 alone, CAU was awarded three times for State Prize and 25 times for Ministerial Prize.

CAU has always attached great importance to initiate international programs and activities on exchange and cooperation with foreign countries in order to continue its open policy, to speed up the pace of CAU's internationalization and to promote CAU's reputation worldwide. CAU has successfully established international cooperation programs with more than 20 counties and regions, including United States , Germany , CAN , England , Netherlands , Denmark , Japan , RO Korea, Thailand , AUS , New Zealand , Russia , Ukraine and Israel , and signed reciprocal agreements with more than 60 world famous universities. Hundreds of foreign scientists and specialists are invited to give lectures and exchange research progress. CAU has well established the following institutions to satisfy the needs in the field of international education and cooperative research: Sino-German Center for Integrated Agricultural Development, China-Japan Training Center for Farm Machinery Maintenance, Chinese-Israeli International Center for Research and Training in Agriculture , China- Japan Research Center for Agriculture and Livestock Management.

Cultivation of students' comprehensive personality is a key area for education in CAU. Off-class education activities are widely organized in this regard. The CAU Student Personality Development Plan is being formulated. A diversified and colorful campus life attracts all the students with active participation of faculty and staff members. CAU has more than 70 students' associations/teams covering a wide range of cultural and social activities, such as politics, economics, culture, science and technology, theory, practice and volunteers. Well organized student teams include Chorus Team, Western Music Team, National Music Team, Dancing Team, Modern Dance Team, Rugby Team, Mountaineering Team, etc. The Chorus Team has win twice of the Beijing Award Grade I and performed once in the State Library Music Hall with success. The Rugby Team is the first one composed in mainland in China 's history and has win many times of international competitions for China . CAU students actively participate in science and technology innovative activities and won the First Award of the State College Student Academic Masterpiece of Work.

HANDBOOK FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

REGISTRATION
They who have received the acceptance letter and Form JW202 should register at the ICB and follow the registration schedule specified in the acceptance letter.
To register, they must submit the acceptance letter, Form JW202, and a health examination report supported by original test results.
Failure to register before the deadline will disqualify the student from enrollment.
To be registered in a regular study program, students need to have a X-status visa (or “F” visa for those who plan to study for less than one year).

RESIDENCE PERMIT AND VISA
Students who plan to study at ICB for more than one year (including one year) are to apply for an “X” visa before coming to China. Those who plan to study for less than one year are to apply for an “X” or “F” visa. Those with an “X” visa are required to apply for the Alien’s Residence Permit within 30 days after your arrival in China. To apply for the Alien’s Residence Permit you need to get the Foreigner’s Health Certificate issued by the Beijing Health & Quarantine Bureau (No. 20, Hepingli Beijie, Andingmenwai, Beijing, Tel: 64274239). CAU organizes a health check for all the international students at the beginning of the school year, but you may also go by yourself with the school’s letter of introduction, your passport, two photos and the health materials from your country. CAU also organizes all the students to apply for the Residence Permit and the extension of the Permit. You may ask for further information from the Offices of ICB and International Cooperation and Exchange. You may also apply for the permit by yourself at the Division of the Entry and Exit of Aliens, Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau (Address: No. 2, Andingmen Dong Dajie, East District, Beijing, Tel: 84015292) with the following documents:
1. Foreigner’s Health Certificate
2. Alien’s Residence Permit Application Form authorized by CAU
3. JW202 Form (original). If you cannot present the original form, you need to present the photocopy of the form and the original of your Admission Notice.
4. Two passport photos
5. Ourside Campus Living Certificate (if not living on CAU campus)
The Residence Permit is valid for less than one calendar year (the validity should not be longer than that of your passport). It depends on your tuition. You must leave China when your visa is due, there for if you want to continue your study in ICB, you should apply for visa extension before it expires. If these is any alteration in your Residence Permit, you should handle it in 10 days of the alteration. Failure in observing the regulations will result in a penalty.
Students who want to go outside of China (including to Hong Kong and Macao) during your study period are required to enter your name at the office of International Cooperation and Exchange, and then apply for a reentry visa at the Division of the Entry and Exit of Aliens of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau. You should return to China in time in order not to lose your study visa.
If you need to study in a school in another city, you need to apply for moving out of Beijing at Division of the Entry and Exit of Aliens, Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau with the Admission Notice of that school and an application form authorized by CAU. Upon your arrival in that city, you should register at the local Public Security Bureau for your moving in within 10 days.
You can ask for an invitation letter from your school for your relatives to keep you company during your study period. With the letter you relatives can apply for “L” visa from the Chinese Embassy / Consulate. The Division of the Entry and Exit of Aliens of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau handles the extension of the visa of your relatives upon an official letter from CAU. Your relatives are not to stay longer than the time limit of your Residence Permit.
It needs one week for Division of the Entry and Exit of Aliens, Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau to proceed extension, alteration, reentry and moving in/out. The time may be shorter in urgent need.
Neither the passport nor I.D. Cards are to be altered or damaged, otherwise you will be punished. Good care must be taken of the Alien’s Residence Permit. The loss of it must be reported to the offices of ICB and International Cooperation and Exchange and the Division of the Entry and Exit of Alien’s of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau at once, and a declared notice in the newspaper is needed before a new Residence Permit is reissued

INSURANCE
According to international convention and China’s present situation, we suggest that international students take out an insurance policy of relevant items before coming to China or upon arrival in China.

HOW TO PAY FEES
Students must pay all the fees within two weeks after the new semester begins.
After being approved, these students who cannot pay off all the fees in time can postpone to pay within the permitting time. However, they have to pay 20% as late fee. If they cannot pay off all the fees in time, the late fee will not be refunded.
At the end of every semester, ICB will inform foreign students the number of the remainder fee. These fees will be transferred to the next semester automatically.

PROVISIONS AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING STUDENT STATUS
There are two semesters in one academic year at ICB. The first semester commences at the beginning of September and terminates in mid- or late January of the following year. The second semester commences at the beginning of March and terminates in mid-July. There are about 20 weeks in one semester.
Students must pay all the fees within two weeks after the new semester begins. Otherwise the students cannot be permitted to take courses.
80% ICB tuition fee can be refunded to these students who apply for leaving school within one month after the new semester begins. Otherwise, the ICB tuition fee cannot be refunded. UCD credit fee is refunded according to practical amount of taking courses.
Students who are unable to continue the course due to personal reason or sickness may apply to the office of ICB for leave of absence with a personal written application or a medical certificate. The approvals will be given by the offices of ICB and International Cooperation and Exchange. Then your Residence Permit will expire earlier. After clearing all the procedures, you will get a certificate for leave of absence. The time allowed for the leave is one semester or one academic year. Students on this leave should resume study on time. A student only has one chance for this leave.
Students on leave of absence for sickness should present a health certificate when resuming study.
Students resuming study should apply for X visa to come to China.

DEPARTURE FROM ICB
Students who leave ICB (transferring to other schools, leave of absence, discontinuation of schooling or graduation) should, before the ending of the semester, draw a Clearance Form from ICB and go through the clearance procedures in accordance with the regulation. You should balance the account and return all ICB property such as the library card and the student card before you leave. You should leave the school according to the date given by the Clearance Form. Students of leave of absence and discontinuation of schooling should leave the school in two weeks after the clearance procedure and graduates should leave in two weeks after the termination of the semester.

ACADEMIC HONOR CODE AND DISCI[LINE POLICIES
Academic Integrity
A university’s reputation is built on a standing tradition of excellence and scholastic integrity. As members of the University of Colorado at Denver academic community, faculty and students accept the responsibility to maintain the highest standards of intellectual honesty and ethical conduct in completing all forms of academic work at the University.
Forms Of Academic Dishonesty
Students are expected to know, understand, and comply with the ethical standards of the University. In addition, students have an obligation to inform the appropriate official of any acts of academic dishonesty by other students of the University. Academic dishonesty is defined as a student’s use of unauthorized assistance with intent to deceive an instructor or other such person who may be assigned to evaluate the student’s work in meeting course and degree requirements. Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following:

A Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the use of another person’s distinctive ideas or words without acknowledgement. The incorporation of another person’s work into one’s own requires appropriate identification and acknowledgement, regardless of the means of appropriation. The following are considered to be forms of plagiarism when the source is not noted:
1. Word-for-word copying of another person’s ideas or words
2. The mosaic (the interspersing of one’s own words here and there while, in essence, copying another’s work)
3. The paraphrase (the rewriting of another’s work, yet still using their fundamental idea or theory)
4. Fabrication (inventing or counterfeiting sources)
5. Submission of another’s work as one’s own
6. Neglecting quotation marks on material that is otherwise acknowledged
Acknowledgement is not necessary when the material used is common knowledge.

B Cheating
Cheating involves the possession, communication, or use of information, materials, notes, study aids, or other devices not authorized by the instructor in any academic exercise, or communication with another person during such an exercise. Examples of cheating are:
1. Copying from another’s paper or receiving unauthorized assistance from another during an academic exercise or in the submission of academic material
2. Using a calculator when its use has been disallowed
3. Collaborating with another student or students during an academic exercise without the consent of the instructor

C Fabrication and Falsification
Fabrication involves inventing or counterfeiting information, i.e., creating results not obtained in a study or laboratory experiment. Falsification, on the other hand, involves the deliberate alteration or changing of results to suit one’s needs in an experiment or other academic exercise.

D Multiple Submission
This is the submission of academic work for which academic credit has already been earned, then such submission is made without instructor authorization.

E Misuse of Academic Materials
The misuse of academic materials includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Stealing or destroying library or reference materials or computer programs
2. Stealing or destroying another student’s notes or materials, or having such materials in one’s possession without the owner’s permission
3. Receiving assistance in locating or using sources of information in an assignment when such assistance has been forbidden by the instructor
4. Illegitimate possession, disposition, or use of examinations or answer keys to examinations
5. Unauthorized alteration, forgery, or falsification of academic records
6. Unauthorized sale or purchase of examinations, papers, or assignments

F Complicity in Academic Dishonesty
Complicity involves knowingly contributing to another’s acts of academic dishonesty.

GUEST HOUSE ADMINISTRATION REGULATION
1. Foreign student cannot transfer the room possession, rent or accommodate other persons. Otherwise, will be penalty 200 Yuan.
2. After 11:00 PM, cannot have guests in his/her room and have to keep quiet, does not disturb other guest rest and study. If the guest needs to live, please do check-in and other procedure.
3. Keep room in cleaning, cannot feed pets.
4. Take good care of property in room and in the building. Lose or shatter the public property, have to compensate according to the prescribe.
5. Save water and save electricity. Cannot use big power electric facilities (more than 1200 Watt).

LIVING
Besides the winter and summer vacations each year, there is a 1-day holiday for New Year’s Day, a 3-day holiday for May Day and National Day respectively (please refer to the ICB calendar). The institute will not have holidays for other anniversaries or traditional festivals.
You may travel in areas open to foreigners during vacations and holiday, but you need a travel permit, the travel permit should be applied to the Division of Alien’s and Exit-Entry Administration of the Beijing Municipal Public Security if you travel to areas not yet open to foreigners. It is illegal to enter a non-open area without a permit.

Housing.Students with a valid passport can apply for school housing (furnishings and bedding included) after they arrive at ICB. The application will be accepted as long as there is a vacancy in the school dormitories. See the section on fees for the rates in effect.
Dining. Around the university, there are many restaurants serving both Western and Chinese food. Foreign students may also eat in these dining halls of Chinese students on campus.
Estimated cost for accommodation and meals:
Single room US $15 per day
Shared room US $ 8 per day
Meals US $7 per day
Other facilities. There are commercial services on the campus: a clinic, a convenience store, a laundry, and a branch office of the Agricultural Bank of China. The University is on the routes of Bus No.355, 902, 375, 393, 398, 16, 419, 749, 719 and 392 that go directly to downtown areas. A taxi trip from the University to the Beijing airport only takes 30 minutes.