Established in 1951, Southwest Medical University is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the large metropolis of Luzhou (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants), Sichuan. Officially recognized by the Department of Education of the Sichuan Province, Southwest Medical University (SMU) is a large coeducational Chinese higher education institution. Southwest Medical University (SMU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. SMU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.