- Our center is a Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences in Universities, which was authorized by the Ministry of Education of China. The present director of the center is Professor Dr. Zhao Lisheng.
- 1946-1950, the Department of Borderland Languages and Literatures of the former National Lanzhou University had courses of ethnology or anthropology and many experts of northwest ethnic studies.
- In 1959, the reorganized Lanzhou University of the People’s Republic of China sent a young stuff named Yang Jianxin to engage in advanced studies in the Central University for Nationalities in Beijing. He is first teacher who taught ethnology courses in Lanzhou University from 1960s.
- In 1986, MA program of ethnology was established in Lanzhou University.
- In 1990, PhD program of ethnology (Subordinate Discipline Doctoral Program) was established in Lanzhou University. Professor Yang Jianxin is the first supervisor of the PhD program.
- In 1998, undergraduate program of ethnology was established in Lanzhou University. The first class of student was enrolled in 2001.
- In 2000, The Northwest Ethnic Research Center of Lanzhou University was founded as one of the 100 Key Research Institutes of Humanities and Social Sciences in Universities, which was authorized by the Ministry of Education of China.
- In 2003, PhD program of China ethnic history (Subordinate Discipline Doctoral Program) was established in Lanzhou University. The Mobile postdoctoral research station on ethnological studies was founded. Ethnology was authorized as a Provincial Key Disciplines and Specialties of Gansu province.
- In 2006, PhD program of ethnology (First-level Discipline Doctoral Program) was established in Lanzhou University, which consists of five Subordinate Discipline Doctoral Programs: Ethnology or Anthropology, China Ethnic History, Marxist Ethno-National Theories and Policies, Sociology of Ethnicity, and Tibetan Studies.
- In 2007, ethnology was authorized as a State-level Key Disciplines and Specialties of China.
- Until now, the center is the only ethnological base of education and scientific studies in northwest China can offer undergraduate program, MA program, PhD program and the mobile postdoctoral research station on ethnological studies.
- The center consists of five institutes: Institute of Ethnology, Institute of Northwest Ethnic History, Institute of Marxist Ethno-National Theories and Policies, Institute of Sociology, and Institute of Tibetan Studies.
- The center also attached a library, laboratory of visual anthropology, laboratory of psychological anthropology, online information and data center, and general office.
- The staff has 32 members includes 19 professors, 9 associate professors, 2 lecturers, and 2 staff crews. The total graduate students in progress are about 200.
- Call the office: +86-931-8913764
- Homepage online: http:// rcenw.lzu.edu.cn
- E-mail:lzdxmyzx@163.com
- Wechat: NW_Ethnology