Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), directly subordinate to the Ministry of Education, is a key university in China, jointly run by the ministry and Shanghai Municipal Government.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, formerly the Nang Yang Public School, was founded in 1896. It is one of the oldest universities in China. The university, through its century-long history, has nurtured a large number of outstanding figures and made significant contributions to the thriving and prosperity of the nation and the development of science and technology. Its famous alumni include Jiang Zemin, the Secretary General of CPC and the President of the People's Republic of China, Lu Dingyi, Ding Guangen, Wang Daohan, Qian Xuesen, Wu Wenjun, Zou Taofen, Mao Yisheng, Cai Er, Huang Yanpei, Shao Lizi, etc. Of all the academicians of China's Academy of Sciences and Academy of Engineering, more than 180 are the alumni of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Since China implemented the reform and opening up policies, SJTU has taken the lead in the management system reform on institutions of higher learning, thus regaining its vigor and vitality as well as momentum for rapid growth as never seen before. A number of its disciplines have been advancing towards the world's first-class level, such as communication and electronic system, naval architecture and ocean engineering, automatic control, composite materials, and metal plasticity processing. A batch of burgeoning branches of learning has occupied an important position in the country, such as large-scale integrated circuit, computer science, optical fiber technology, systems engineering.

Today SJTU boasts 19 academic schools. Besides, it also has School of Continuing Education (adult), School of Online Learning, School of International Education, and a Vocational School. There are 55 undergraduate programs, 103 master's degree programs, 57 PhD programs, as well as programs of MBA, MPA and Master of Engineering programs, 16 post-doctorate programs, 16 State key doctorate programs and 13 State key laboratories and national engineering centers.

Its total enrollment of full-time students amounts to 23,200, of which 15,750 are undergraduates and 7,440 candidates for Master's Degree and Doctor's Degree.

SJTU has beautiful campuses, occupying an area of 200 hectares in total, and possesses plenty of advanced teaching and research equipment and facilities. Now, it has five campuses, the Xuhui, the Minhang, the Qibao, the Shangzhong Road and the Fahuazheng Road. Over the past decade, the number of students in SJTU has grown from 5,000 to more than 22,000, the floor space of various buildings from 230,000 square meters to 800,000 square meters, and the area of campuses from 40 to 200 hectares.

SJTU has been actively involved in international academic exchange programs with foreign universities. To date, it has established relations with more than 100 renowned universities and colleges in the world as well as connections with many research institutions, corporations and enterprises at home and abroad. SJTU has invited more than 100 famous scientists and specialists as honorable professors or consulting professors. SJTU sends excellent teachers and students abroad every year to give lectures, to study or to attend international academic conferences. Meanwhile, SJTU invites foreign specialists and scholars to give lectures or to have academic exchanges.