Shanghai Jiao Tong University is prominent in the areas of science and engineering. It was founded in 1896 and, since then, 21 colleges have been established including: shipping and ocean engineering, mechanical and kinetic engineering, electronic business and electronic engineering.  There are 55 undergraduate specialties offered including: science, engineering, liberal arts, management, agriculture, economics, law and education. Many of these courses are offered on world-class levels.

At present, the university has 14,000 full-time undergraduate students, more than 7,000 postgraduates and Ph.D.candidates and 1,600 foreign students. Shanghai Jiao Tong University has cultivated more than 100 thousand elite professionals. Among them are well-known politicians, public figures, industrialists, scientists, professors and engineering and technology experts.