University sights in Asia
-
Wuhan University
Wuhan University was founded in 1913. The university was the site of the 1967 'Wuhan Incident' - a protracted battle during the Cultural Revolution, where machine gun nests were built on top of the library and supply tunnels were dug through the hill.
reviewed
-
Kolkata University
College St is the heartland of Kolkata's vibrant academic universe.
reviewed
-
A
Tokyo University (Tokyo Daigaku)
Most kids in Japan dream of gaining admission to Tokyo University, Japan’s most prestigious institution of higher learning. As with the Ivy League colleges and Oxbridge in the US and UK, admission here practically assures later admission to the halls of power in both business and government. With that in mind, high-school students spend years studying at home and in cram schools for Tōdai’s rigorous admission exam. The campus itself is not beautiful, but does hold historical interest. In 1968–69 Tōdai became the centre of a national crisis when students thrice took over the main administrative building, Yasuda Hall, ousting the school’s president and other administrators …
reviewed
-
B
Chulalongkorn University
Thailand’s oldest and most prestigious university is nestled in a leafy enclave south of busy Th Phra Ram I. The centrepiece of the campus is the promenade ground on the east side of Th Phayathai where a seated statue of Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) is surrounded by purple bougainvillea and offerings of pink carnations. The showcase buildings display the architectural fusion the monarch favoured, a mix of Italian revival and Thai traditional. The campus has a parklike quality, with noble tropical trees considerately labelled for plant geeks. Of the many species that shade the campus, the rain trees with their delicate leaves are considered symbolic of the university; they …
reviewed
-
C
National School
One of the most famous secondary schools in Vietnam, the National School was founded in 1896 and run by Ngo Dinh Kha, the father of South Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh Diem. Many of the school's pupils later rose to prominence in both North and South Vietnam. One of them was General Vo Nguyen Giap, strategist of the Viet Minh victory at Dien Bien Phu and North Vietnam's long-serving deputy premier, defence minister and commander-in-chief.
Pham Van Dong, North Vietnam's prime minister for over a quarter of a century, and the secretary-general and former prime minister Do Muoi also studied here.
Even Ho Chi Minh attended the school briefly in 1908.
reviewed
-
D
Chiang Mai University
The city's principal public university was established in 1964. The main campus occupies a 2.9 sq km wedge of land about 2km west of the city centre that has preserved much of its original forest character. Architecturally the campus buildings are soot-stained boxes, but the verdant environment achieves a distinctively Thai version of an idyllic collegiate setting. The best way for visitors to enjoy the campus is to ride a bicycle through it – there are bike lanes throughout, and cafes to stop at for a refreshment break.
There are two main entrances into the campus on Th Suthep and Th Huay Kaew. When giving directions, Thais often refer to the university area on Th Suthe…
reviewed
-
E
Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University & Museum
The white-clad people around town are studying at Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University. This organisation teaches that all religions lead to God and that the principles of each should be studied. The university’s aim is the establishment of universal peace through ‘the impartation of spiritual knowledge and training of easy raja yoga meditation’. For many, the teachings are intensely powerful; there are over 4500 branches in 70 countries. For others, it gives off a spooky New Age–sect vibe. There’s a Brahma Kumaris museum in town, the entrance labelled Gateway to Paradise!
reviewed
-
F
Dalat University
Dalat's climate has made it something of an education centre; before air-con it was one of the few places in Vietnam where it was possible to study without working up a sweat. Dalat University was founded as a Catholic University in 1957 by Hué Archbishop Ngo Dinh Thuc (the older brother of unpopular South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem, with the help of Cardinal Spelman of New York. It was seized from the church in 1975 and reopened two years later as a state-run institution.
There are presently more than 13,000 students studying here. Foreign visitors are generally welcome.
reviewed
-
G
Dhaka University
Dating from 1921, Dhaka University has some fine old buildings. North of the Engineering University campus is the British Council Library and further north, on Kazi Nazrul Islam Ave, is the Institute of Arts & Crafts, which has an art gallery.
On the main campus, south of the Old High Court, Curzon Hall is the university's architectural masterpiece and science faculty. It's a fine example of the European-Mughal style of building erected after the first partition of Bengal in 1905. The red-brick building has eye-catching detail, and an elegant façade.
reviewed
-
H
Hokkaidō University
Established in 1876, this university is a scenic place, with a number of unique buildings. The Furukawa Memorial Hall and the Seikatei are noteworthy, and several campus museums are open to the public. The bust of William S Clark, the founding vice-president of the university, is a famous landmark. Upon his departure in 1877, Professor Clark famously told his students: 'Boys, be ambitious!'
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
University of Colombo
The centrepiece of the district is the 50-acre University of Colombo (also called the University of Ceylon) campus, which originally opened as the Ceylon Medical School in 1870.
Today it contains elegant tree-lined streets and the posh mansions of the wealthy and powerful, as well as the city's biggest park, several sports grounds and a cluster of museums and galleries. But the centrepiece of the Cinnamon Gardens is the 50-acre campus of the University of Colombo, which originally opened as the Ceylon Medical School in 1870.
reviewed
-
Islamia College
The prestigious Islamia College, founded in 1913, is well worth a look for its grand Victorian façade and clocktower, which features on the country's Rs1000 note. It faces Jamrud Rd and anyone can enter the gates and stroll around the manicured gardens. The green surroundings and contemplative atmosphere make it a real oasis. Any bus heading west from Khyber Bazaar or the Cantonment will drop you there; a taxi from Saddar should cost around Rs80.
reviewed
-
J
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
In 2000, Kyoto-based Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University opened its landmark college in Beppu, with about half its undergraduates drawn from other parts of Asia and beyond - a unique situation in Japan. The campus overlooks the city from Jumonji-baru, a 30-minute bus trip from Beppu station (around ¥520).
reviewed
-
K
Wat Dam Nak
This pretty compound was formerly a royal palace during the reign of King Sisowath, hence the name dam nak (palace). Today it is home to the Centre for Khmer Studies, an independent institution promoting a greater understanding of Khmer culture with a drop-in library on site.
reviewed
-
Mangyongdae Revolutionary School
You may be lucky enough to visit the Mangyongdae Revolutionary School, where Pyongyang's elite sons are trained for the next generation of leadership. This can be a fun tour through the various classrooms and gymnasiums, where children look at you wide-eyed with wonder.
reviewed
-
L
Bandung Institute of Technology
North of Gedung Sate is the Bandung Institute of Technology, set in spacious grounds and gardens with some bizarre hybrid Indo-European architecture. It also has an excellent fine arts school, and its art gallery can be visited.
reviewed
-
M
Aitchison College
At the eastern end of The Mall, Aitchison College, the 'Eton of Pakistan', is the most prestigious school in the country. Run on the lines of an English public school, the Mughal-Gothic style building is surrounded by manicured sporting fields.
reviewed
-
Imam Ismail al-Bukhari Islamic Institute
Northwest of the Barakhon Medressa is the Imam Ismail al-Bukhari Islamic Institute, a two-year post-medressa academy with about 200 students. It was one of two medressas in Central Asia left open in Soviet times (the other was in Bukhara).
reviewed
-
N
University of the Philippines Manila
The lovely, leafy University of the Philippines Manila is a good place for a walk, bike or jog. The vast campus is reminiscent of a large American university, and fuels Quezon City’s active nightlife.
reviewed
-
O
St Michael's Institution
On the northern flank of the padang, St Michael's Institution is a neo-Gothic three-storey colonial school with arched verandas, founded by the Catholic La Sallean brothers in 1927.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
P
Yuelu Academy
Hunan University (Húnán Dàxué) evolved from the site of the Yuelu Academy, which was established during the Song dynasty for scholars to prepare for civil examinations.
reviewed
-
Q
Benares Hindu University
Long regarded as a centre of learning, Varanasi’s tradition of top-quality education continues today at Benares Hindu University, established in 1916.
reviewed
-
Buddhist Philosophy Colleges
To the east of Migjid Janraisig Süm are four colleges of Buddhist philosophy, including the yellow building dedicated to Kalachakra, a wrathful Buddhist deity.
reviewed
-
Öndör Gegeen Zanabazar Buddhist University
To the west of Migjid Janraisig Süm is the Öndör Gegeen Zanabazar Buddhist University , established in 1970. It is usually closed to foreigners.
reviewed
-
Philosophy College
Not particularly interesting, but you might be lucky and find yourself in time for debating, which is held in the courtyard of the Philosophy College.
reviewed
