The Tsinghua National Laboratory for Information Science and Technology (hereafter referred to as the National Lab), based on Tsinghua University, is one of the first five national laboratories, which are approved to be constructed by the Ministry of Science and Technology on November 25, 2003.

    The goal of the National Lab is to build up a world-class research laboratory, which will organize and carry out activities on technical innovations closely related to the development of our country and will establish an innovated mechanism to attract and foster world-class researchers. Another important mission is to integrate the three state key labs and the two key labs of the Ministry of Education on information area in Tsinghua University. We plan to take full advantage of the strengths Tsinghua University enjoys in the four Grade-one disciplines of computer science and technology, electronics science and technology, information and communication engineering, and control science and engineering so as to carry out the construction with proper priority.

    The research areas of the National Lab mainly cover the fundamental theory of information science, the acquisition and collection of information, the communication and networking of information, the processing and computation of information, the basic equipment of information technology, the application of information technology, and the scientific exploration based on advanced information technology. The goal is to lead to research achievements that have significant impact. The research direction can be specifically divided into six areas as follows :

    The National Lab will be operated by the following systems: the director system wherein the director assumes overall responsibility under the guidance of the council; the academic management system which is compatible with the international custom, the personnel management system which is based on competition and flow; the resource allocation system which is scientific, rational, and incorporates incentive-driven mechanisms; and the system of appointment and contracts. The operation mechanism be based on openness, flow, unity and competition.

    We recruit the directors of the National Lab and each research department from both inside our country and abroad based on the principle of "openness, equality, competition and selection of the best".

    The National Lab has established an international consultation committee and an academic committee. In accordance with its six research areas, the National Lab has also established correspondingly the division of public platform and technologies, the division of technical innovation and development, the basic research divisions and the information strategy research center. The National Lab is located in the new building of information science and technology which covers 1.89 hectare with a gross area of 36,010 square meters at the East Gate of Tsinghua University.

    Inside the building of information science and technology, with the support of advanced network facilities, there are laboratories working on new devices of information technology, laboratories focusing on network transmission and communication system research, the research station focusing on scientific exploration with the help of information infrastructure, and facilities for academic exchanges and discussions.