East China Normal University (ECNU) (simplified Chinese: 华东师范大学; traditional Chinese: 華東師範大學; pinyin: Huádōng Shīfàn Dàxué), was founded in October 1951 in western Shanghai, on the campus of Great China University. It is the first Normal University founded after the establishment of the People's Republic of China. In 1951, East China Normal University (ECNU) was founded. It was principally based on the former Great China University and Kwang Hua University. In addition, some departments and staff from the following universities were also incorporated into the then newly formed East China (Normal) University: In 1959, East China Normal University was identified as one of the 16 National Key Universities in China. In 1972, East China Normal University was renamed Shanghai Normal University, when it merged Shanghai Teachers Institute, Shanghai Education Institute, Shanghai Physical Education Institute, and Shanghai in-Service Teachers Institute. In 1978, the four institutes detached and resume their original status'. In July 1980, the university resumed its original name.