Nanhua University

Nanhua University began as Nanhua College of Management, approved in April 1996 and opened on August 1, 1996, by Venerable Master Hsing Yun (星雲大師) — founder of Fo Guang Shan, one of the major organizations of Humanistic Buddhism. It was the first comprehensive, multidisciplinary university founded by Fo Guang Shan. Just three years later, in August 1999, it was upgraded to full university status — at the time, the shortest span from college to university recognized in Taiwan. Set on a forested campus in Dalin Township accommodating over 2,000 resident students, Nanhua today enrolls roughly 5,500 students and maintains partnerships with more than 100 universities across 30-plus countries.

南華大學前身為南華管理學院，於民國85年（1996年）4月獲准設立，同年8月1日由佛光山開山宗長星雲大師主持開學典禮。這是佛光山創辦的第一所綜合型大學。僅僅三年後，民國88年（1999年）8月1日即改制為大學，是當時台灣由學院升格為大學所需時間最短的紀錄。校園座落於大林鎮一片林木蓊鬱的土地上，可容納兩千餘名學生住宿，目前全校學生約5,500人，並與逾30個國家、100多所大學建立合作關係。