Tamkang University (traditional Chinese: 淡江大學; simplified Chinese: 淡江大学; Tongyong Pinyin: Dànjiang Dàsyúe; Hanyu Pinyin: Dànjiang Dàxúe; Wade–Giles: Tàn-chiang Ta-hsüeh; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tām-kang-tōa-ha̍k; abbreviated as TKU) is a private Taiwanese university located in Danshui District, New Taipei City. Founded in 1950 as a junior college of English literature, the college has expanded into a full university with 11 colleges today. Tamkang University is well known throughout Taiwan and is usually recognized as the best private university in the country. It is ranked 9th by the Ministry of Education of Taiwan and in Asia's top 50th. Around 29,000 students of fifty nationalities form the diverse student body of the school. The school also has partnerships with over a hundred Universities in 28 countries (known as "Sister Universities"). This university is noted for its scenic campus. Established in 1950 as a Junior College of English, Tamkang first offered a two-year program and then a three-year program. It was not until 1958 that Tamkang, after it was reinstituted as a College of Arts and Sciences, awarded bachelor's degrees to its graduates.