Founded in 1896, Southwest Jiaotong University is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the suburban setting of the large metropolis of Chengdu (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants), Sichuan. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of The People's Republic of China, Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) is a very large coeducational Chinese higher education institution. Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. SWJTU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.