Wuhan University (WHU; simplified Chinese: 武汉大学; traditional Chinese: 武漢大學; pinyin: Wǔhàn Dàxué; colloquially 武大; Wǔdà) is a national research university located in Wuhan, Hubei.[3] It is one of the most prestigious and selective universities in China, and was recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Education as a Class A Double First Class University.[4] It was one of the four elite universities in the early Republican period[5][circular reference] and is also one of the oldest universities in China.