【TJU 130】 China’s First University Diploma

During a recent visit to the Tianjin University campus with several old friends, we made an extraordinary discovery at the university history museum: China’s first university diploma. This historic certificate was awarded to Wang Chonghui, a graduate of the School of Law, in the 26th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing dynasty (1900). Its unique appearance and format, quite distinct from today’s university diplomas, immediately captured our attention.

The diploma features a trapezoidal top and a rectangular bottom. Prominently displayed at the top are two large Chinese characters “考凭” (diploma). The surrounding design exudes traditional Chinese symbolism. A bat motif at the top represents happiness and good fortune, while auspicious clouds at the bottom suggest luck and prosperity. Two dragons on each side, leaping from the sea and soaring skyward above stylized waves, complete the imagery. Along the borders, the inscription “钦字第壹号” marks it as the first diploma issued by imperial decree.

A closer examination of the main text reveals much about the academic system of the time. It details the student's four-year study period and examination results. Notably, it states that “after being re-assessed by this Minister (the Viceroy of Zhili), it was found that this student is qualified to graduate, and then the certificate was issued.” This reflects the rigorous academic oversight of the era, in which successful graduation required both institutional approval and a final assessment by the Viceroy.

This formality aligns with an anecdote we recalled: Peiyang University, the predecessor of Tianjin University, had a high dropout rate. Wang Chonghui's class began with 30 students but only 18 graduated. Such strict standards ensured graduates were of exceptional quality. Not only did they receive bachelor’s degrees, but they were also granted the same status as Jinshi, the highest-ranking degree in the imperial examination system. Modeled after Western universities, the diploma allowed recipients to directly pursue further education at institutions like Harvard and Yale.

Unlike modern diplomas that merely indicate the degree, this document lists in detail the courses Wang studied: English, Geometry, Natural Philosophy, Physiology, Astronomy, Principles of National Wealth, General Introduction to Law, Roman Law, British Criminal Law, International Law, Commercial Law, and more. These course names cover nearly half the space of the diploma. Remarkably, over a century ago, law students also received extensive training in natural sciences—a striking example of early general education in China.

One particularly interesting detail is the inclusion of biographical information at the end of the diploma: the names and life status of Wang’s great-grandfather, grandfather, and father, in line with the traditional Chinese value of honoring one’s ancestors.

The final lines read: “This certificate is hereby issued to student Wang Chonghui for receipt and retention” and “Issued in the first month of the 26th year of the Guangxu reign”. According to the text, Wang graduated in 1899, but the certificate was issued in 1900. This was because diplomas had to be approved by the imperial court and stamped with the seal of the imperial commissioner, and students typically returned to campus later to receive them.

So what became of the young man who received this historic diploma? Our research revealed that Wang Chonghui became a towering figure in modern Chinese political and academic circles. After graduating from Peiyang University, he earned a doctorate from Yale. He went on to serve as Chief Justiceunder the Nanjing National Government, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Secretary-General of the Supreme National Defense Council. As a respected jurist, he went on to serve as a judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague and translated the German Civil Code into English, which became a standard textbook in American law schools. He was widely hailed as “the No. 1 jurist of the Republic of China.”

More than a century has passed since this first diploma was issued. It stands not only as a symbol of academic achievement but also of a historical turning point. Gazing upon it, one can almost imagine a young man bent over his books, studying late into the night - while just beyond him, the sleeping lion that was China slowly begins to awaken.

By: Lu Ruotong

Editor: Qin Mian