Tsinghua University will spend three nine years to put itself in the ranks of world first-class universities by 2011, and finish as one of the top universities by the year 2020, according to Wang Dazhong, president of the university, who announced the timetable at a seminar focusing on theory and practice in building world first-class universities held recently in Tsinghua.

Wang briefed the seminar what the university has done for the goal, as well as the university's "three nine-years" plan for general development. That is, from 1994 to 2002, it has smoothly completed the initial transition to a comprehensive, research-oriented university by laying foundations and adjusting structure. Tasks of the second step, from 2003 to 2011, are to make breakthrough and leap into the rank of world first-class universities. From 2012 to 2020 Tsinghua will strive to establish itself into a world first-class university in an all-round way through overall improvement and coordinated development.

(Liu Aixiang 22-04-2003)