Nanyang University (or Nantah) was founded in response to pressing demands for higher education for students of Chinese schools in Malaya and Singapore. The proposal to set up this university was initiated by the Chinese community leaders, and the idea was supported by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. The university was registered as a limited liability company in 1954. The land for the campus, 500 acres off Jurong Road was a gift from the Hokkien Huay Kuan, and people from all walks of life donated generously to the fund-raising campaign. The first intake of students was in 1956, and the first phase of the university's building programme was completed in 1958. The Nanyang University Ordinance was enacted In 1958 by the Singapore Legislation. In 1964, the government became fully responsible for the university's finances. In the academic year 1978/79, NU began conducting common courses, lectures and examinations with the University of Singapore. This lasted until 1980 when the Act providing for the merging of the two universities and the setting up of the National University of Singapore was passed on 8 August 1980. The campus in Jurong was developed into the campus for the Nanyang Technological Institute. In 1991 this institute was upgraded into a university - the Nanyang Technological University.
