The University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) was founded in 1952 following the amalgamation of the best departments in related fields of five eminent universities as a result of a nationwide reorganization of the higher education system. Over half a century of remarkable growth, it has developed into one of the most influential key national universities sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Education. USTB is renowned for its study of metallurgy and materials science. Its main focus is on engineering;at the same time it maintains a balanced programme of science, management, humanities, economics and law. It was one of the first universities to be entitled to establish state-approved graduate schools and was chosen to be part of China’s "211 Project", which is designed to develop a hundred first rate universities in the 21st century. In 2006 it was also selected as one of a select group of pilot universities for the "Platform for National Advanced Disciplines Innovation" program.