National Chi Nan University - Origin of The Name

Origin of The Name

The name Chi Nan ( to south) comes from Chapter of Tribune of Yu of Classic of History, where a passage reads: "His speech and teachings spread from north to south, until they reached the four corners of the world." More than a century ago, Chi Nan was first used as the title of an academic organization—Chi Nan Academy, established in 1906 near the end of the Qing Dynasty and dedicated to educating talented Chinese youths born or raised abroad. The founders of the Academy relished this ancient Chinese quotes and named the Academy accordingly to manifest its mission. After the founding of the Republic of China in 1912, Chi Nan Academy was reorganized into Chi Nan University in Guangzhou. These two organizations are directly related to National Chi Nan University in Puli, Nantou County, and traditionally, the name Chi Nan conveys the University's mission of education beyond China.