On the approval of China’s Ministry of Education in June 2001, Dali University was established in October 2001 as a result of the amalgamation of four colleges: Dali Medical College, Dali Teachers College, Dali Radio and Television College and Dali College of Industry, which had a history of more than 30 years. Now the university has 16 colleges, offering 53 bachelor and 28 master degree programs in liberal arts, science, medical science, engineering, education, economics, agriculture, law, management and art. The University is located in Dali, which boasts its long history and tradition. 

      The city is one of the country’s historical and cultural cities, and one of the most popular tourist destination with its its charming ethnic cultures and its beautiful natural scenery. The University has two extensive campuses, covering an area of over 2,300 mu (about 410 acres). Currently, the total number of full time students studying at Dali University is around 17,000 at present, including 900 more foreign students from 19 countries such as the United States, England, Belgium, Russia, India, Burma, South Africa, Cote d' Ivoire, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Laos PDR and some other countries. According to the latest statistics issued by the China’s Ministry of Education, Dali University ranks No. 24 out of more than 2,700 higher education institutions in terms of bachelor degree international students and ranks No. 1 in Yunnan Province. Dali University is in the name list of China’s Ministry of Education to admit MBBS students in English medium. 

      There are more than 1,200 teachers and administrators working in this university, of whom, more than 400 are professors or associate professors. There are two university hospitals with over 1,100 doctors and staff members respectively. Sticking to the strategy of “developing the university with talents”, in the past five years, teachers and researchers in the university undertook 77 research projects sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation or National Social Science Foundation, 113 research projects sponsored by provincial and ministerial research foundation, and 8 research projects supported by the international foundations. Now the University has been awarded 24 provincial and ministerial research prizes and obtained 67 national patents. Besides, the Journal of Dali University was awarded as one of the excellent social science Journals in the country. 

       Dali University has been strengthening its exchange and cooperation programs with South and Southeast Asian countries, and with the United States, England, Sweden, Australia, and some other countries. The University has joint or exchange programs with many universities, higher institutions around the world. Up to now, the University has close connection with 41 foreign universities or organizations in teaching and academic research. In December 2007, initiated by Dali University and cooperated with the Cambodian Ministry Education and Royal University Phnom Pehn (RUPP), “The DHY Chinese Center” was established in RUPP and started teaching Chinese in the country, which attracted great concern and attention in Southeast Asian countries. In addition, the University has also established Chinese language practice bases in Laos PDR, Cambodia and Thailand. Due to the great achievements in international exchange and cooperation, the University was selected by the People’s Government of Yunnan Province as one of the four “going out” universities. The “International Day”, an annual function, launched in the year of 2002, was awarded as one of the “Excellent Achievement Prize of Campus Culture” by the China’s Ministry of Education.

      With the Mission of serving the local and provincial communities and making it popular in the country and well acknowledged in South and Southeast Asian countries, and with the Motto of “Converging all cultures to shape the university’s spirit”, and “Wide learning for truth, great virtue for good” , the university will stick to the way of educational internationalization.

Possible Cooperation and Exchange Programs with Universities around the World
1. Student exchange program; 
2. Teacher exchange program; 
3. Joint scientific research projects; 
4. Joint research programs and 
5. Joint undergraduate and graduate programs.