High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Founded in 1920,Harbin Institute of Technology has developed into an important research university focusing on engineering with supporting faculties in the sciences, management, humanities and the social sciences. In 1954, it was named one of the six key institutions of higher education in the People`s Republic of China and has subsequently enjoyed government sponsorship. In 1984, it was listed in the top 15 universities receiving financial support. In 1999, the Chinese government chose HIT as one of nine universities to receive special financing to transform into better institutions.