Xiamen University (XMU, Latin: Universitas Amoiensis, simplified Chinese: 厦门大学; pinyin: Xiàmén Dàxué; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ē-mn̂g Tāi-ha̍k/Ē-mn̂g Toā-o̍h), colloquially known as Xia Da (simplified Chinese: 厦大; pinyin: Xià Dà; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ē-Toā/Hā-tāi), located in Xiamen, Fujian province, is the first university in China founded by overseas Chinese. Before 1949, it was originally known as the University of Amoy. The school motto is "Pursue Excellence, Strive for Perfection (自强不息, 止于至善)". The university is one of many comprehensive universities directly administered by the Chinese Ministry of Education. In 1995 it was included in the list of the 211 Project for the state key construction; in 2000 it became one of China’s higher-level universities designated for the state key construction of the 985 Project. According to University Undergraduates Teaching Assessment and Chinese Universities Evaluation Standings, the university is ranked 11th in China, which is outside the top then and has maintained the top 20 ranking in China, among which 6 subjects reach A++ level, including economics and management, music, law, chemistry, journalism, communication and mathematics. In 1919 Mr.