Nanyang Technological University has a distinguished lineage with roots that go back to 1955, when Nanyang University (Nantah), the first Chinese-language university in Southeast Asia, was set up with donations from people of all walks of life, from Singapore and the region. The university grounds - Yunnan Garden campus - were donated by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, a clan association.

Nanyang Technological Institute was established on the same campus in 1981 with government funding to educate practice-oriented engineers for the burgeoning Singapore economy. In 1991 we became Nanyang Technological University with the absorption of the National Institute of Education.

The alumni rolls of the former Nanyang University were transferred to NTU in 1996. 

Milestones

A founding based on passion and ideals - Nanyang University is born

1955

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Establishment of Nanyang University (Nantah), the first Chinese-language university in Southeast Asia, through donations from all walks of life, with the Yunnan Garden campus donated by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan.

Educating professionals for the Singapore economy - Nanyang Technological Institute becomes Nanyang Technological University

1981	-	Formal establishment of Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI) with three Schools of Engineering on the premises of the former Nanyang University, to educate practice-oriented engineers for the burgeoning Singapore economy. NTI was named "one of the best engineering institutions in the world" by the Commonwealth Engineering Council in 1985.
1987	-	Establishment of the School of Accountancy and Business, now known as Nanyang Business School.
1988	-	School of Applied Science created.
1991	-	Took on our present name, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), with the absorption of the National Institute of Education.
1992	-	Formation of the School of Communication Studies, now known as the School of Communication and Information.
1996	-	Transfer of alumni rolls of the former Nanyang University to NTU.
2000	-	Restructuring of the School of Applied Science to form the School of Computer Engineering and School of Materials Engineering.
2001	-	School of Biological Sciences created.
	-	Renaming of the School of Civil and Structural Engineering as the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
2003	-	Inauguration of Dr Su Guaning as second President of NTU and successor of former president of NTI/NTU, Dr Cham Tao Soon.
	-	Launch of the New Undergraduate Experience, emphasising a holistic and comprehensive education nurturing creative, entrepreneurial global leaders
	-	Completion of the Research TechnoPlaza, NTU's research hub, which houses four interdisciplinary research corridors and six research centres.
2004	-	Launch of URECA (Undergraduate Research Experience on CAmpus) to cultivate a strong research culture among students, who can choose from more than 900 projects campus-wide or pursue their own area of investigation.
	-	Implementation of discretionary admissions for up to 10% of undergraduate enrollment to seek out well-rounded individuals to groom as global leaders. Candidates are first screened for qualities such as leadership, creativity, passion and a keen sense of values.
	-	Formalisation of plans with the Singapore Sports School to provide a non-traditional route for top athletes to achieve an NTU university education, via greater flexibility in curriculum.
	-	Set up of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences with the commencement of a Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) programme in Economics and minor programmes in Chinese, Economics, English, Psychology and Sociology.
	-	Launch of three more undergraduate programmes; Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering), Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science) and Bachelor of Science (Maritime Studies).

A vibrant and comprehensive university - beyond 50 years of achievement to a global university of excellence

2005	-	Ranked 50th globally and 7th in Asia by The Times of London in a ranking of 200 best universities worldwide.
	-	First batch of students embark on NTU's flagship Global Immersion Programme to China and the US, to obtain a unique multi-country experience of language, culture, industry and entrepreneurship.
	-	Full range of degree programmes launched at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
	-	Commencement of degree courses at the School of Art, Design and Media, and School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
	-	School of Mechanical and Production Engineering renamed School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. A new division - the Division of Aerospace Engineering is first in Singapore to offer a degree programme in aerospace engineering.
	-	School of Materials Engineering renamed School of Materials Science and Engineering.
	-	School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, formed from merger of two departments under the College of Engineering - Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.