Beihang University, previously known as Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (simplified Chinese: 北京航空航天大学; traditional Chinese: 北京航空航天大學, abbreviated as BUAA or Beihang) is a public university located in Beijing, China. BUAA was founded on October 25, 1952 with an area of over 100 hectares, BUAA is one of China's leading universities on research and education. It is regarded as one of the best engineering universities in China and has a great influence on China's aeronautical and astronautical industry. BUAA was formed in 1952 from a merger of the aeronautical departments of Tsinghua University, Peiyang University, Xiamen University, Sichuan University, Yunnan University, Northwestern Engineering College, North China University, and Southwest Aeronautical Institute. The meeting announcing the founding of the Beijing Institute of Aeronautics (BIA) was held in the auditorium of Beijing Institute of Technology on October 25, 1952.