Seventy years of strenuous efforts: tracing the development of archival higher education in China (1952–2022)

Since its inception in 1952, shortly after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and continuing up to 2022, China’s archival higher education has traversed a remarkable 70-years journey. This period has witnessed the emergence of the world’s largest higher education system in archival studies, offering programs from bachelor’s to doctoral levels. This paper traces the origins and evolution of archival higher education in China, providing a nuanced exploration that segments this journey into four phases: foundation and early development (1952–1966), disruption and suspension (1966–1978), recovery and expansion (1978–1998), and advancement and transformation (1998–2022). Furthermore, this study reveals that China’s archival higher education is characterized by distinctive features, including a deep influence from the socio-political environment, Renmin University’s pioneering role at the forefront, the significance of undergraduate education as both the starting point and an important component, and the strategic leadership and coordination provided by the Archival Higher Education Steering Committee. These elements differentiate China’s archival education from that of many other nations, showcasing a development trajectory that is distinctly Chinese. Moreover, this paper emphasizes the critical need for archival education to remain responsive to both domestic imperatives and international trends. China’s archival education narrates a compelling story of adaptation, innovation, and national pride, offering valuable lessons on educational evolution in a rapidly changing global landscape. By highlighting these aspects, this paper aims to enrich the discourse on archival education, demonstrating how it can flourish amidst shifting socio-political dynamics and emerging global challenges.