Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) was founded in 1920. Since 1954 when it was confirmed as one of the first six leading institutions of higher education by the state, HIT has enjoyed the priority of the central government's support. It was listed as one of the 15 universities with key national financial support in 1984. In 1999 it became one of the nine universities with the goal of being constructed on a par with world-class universities.

On June 2, 2000, HIT merged with Harbin Architecture University into a more comprehensive HIT. It now covers 432 hectares, with a building area of 1.22 million sq. m. Now HIT has conducted scholar exchange with 200 universities, colleges and associations in 40 countries and regions.

HIT now consists of 60 specialties, 85 master's degree programs, 57 doctoral degree programs, 15 post doctoral working stations, and 4 national bases of basic education, among which there are 14 first-class disciplines for master's and doctoral degrees, 18 state key disciplines, and 22 state and provincial key labs. 

HIT has a faculty team with great ambition, excellent competence, and an industrious working style. Among the 3,020 faculty members, there are 17 academicians from Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chinese Academy of Science, 378 supervisors of PhD candidates, 629 professors, and 1,112 associate professors. 

In 1992, HIT established its own high technology park and explored a new university running mode that integrates industry, university and research. With full support from the central and provincial government, HIT has set up a national science and technology park within the university, thus becoming an important base for transformation of scientific achievements.