Sichuan Agricultural University (SAU) is a comprehensive university under the National Project 211 and Double First-rate Plan in China with predominance of bio-technology and agricultural sciences. SAU has a wide range of disciplines, such as agriculture, science, engineering, economy, management, medicine, education, law and art. SAU has been assessed as excellent by Ministry of Education in the Project of Undergraduate Teaching Evaluation.
The history of Sichuan Agricultural University can be traced back to Sichuan Tongsheng Agricultural School which was founded in 1906 and SAU merged into Sichuan University in 1927 and in 1935. Agricultural School, Sichuan University, relocated from Chengdu to Yaan City in 1956, the provincial capital of Xikang Province (revoked in 1955) and it was founded as an independent higher education institution in Yaan in the same year. SAU resumed postgraduate programs in 1978. It was renamed Sichuan Agricultural University in 1985. Sichuan Agricultural University became a member of the National Project 211 in 1998 and it was included in the list of China’s Double First-rate Construction Universities in 2017.
SAU consists of Yaan Campus, Chengdu Campus and Dujiangyan Campus, covering a total area of about 3 million square meters, with over 40000 faculty, staff and students . There are 27 schools, 15 research institutes（centers）and 8 Post-doctoral Research Stations. There are 11 first-level doctoral degree programs, 49 Second-level doctoral degree programs, 18 first-level Master’s Degree Programs, 88 Second-level Master’s Degree Programs and 91 programs/majors for undergraduates. It boasts 4 National Key Disciplines and National Key Cultivated Disciplines, 20 ministry-level and province-level key disciplines, 2 Key Laboratories of Ministry of Education, 2 Engineering Research Centers of Ministry of Education, 3 Innovation Teams in the New Century of Ministry of Education, 4 Key Laboratories of Ministry of Education and 1 Innovation Center of Ministry of Agriculture. Two teams have been awarded the title of Outstanding Agricultural Scientific Research Talents & Innovation Teams of Ministry of Agriculture.
In April 1991 and May 2002, Mr. Jiangzeming, former general secretary of the communist party of China, inspected SAU and spoke highly of its achievements in teaching and scientific research. In Janurary 2002, Mr. Wen Jiabao, former national premier, gave written instructions : " The connotation of SAU Spirit should be explored and its spirit should be publicized and carried forward. ”In October 2007, he gave written instructions again: ''SAU has done a wonderful job and its experience in running the university deserves attention." In October 2001, Mr. Li Lanqing, former national vice-premier, inspected SAU, thought very highly of SAU Spirit, and fully recognized SAU’s outstanding contributions to the local economy and social development.
