The original site of Aurora College-Xujiahui Observatory

On March 1, 1903, Shanghai Aurora College officially opened.

In 1898, during the Wuxu Reformation, the reformists advocated new learning. In order to establish a translation school, Liang Qichao asked Ma Xiangbo, a Chinese Catholic, to preside over it through the introduction of the French Embassy in China. Later, due to the return of Cixi to power, the establishment of the translation school was suspended. In 1903, after the Qing government promulgated the academic system, Ma Xiangbo suggested that Cai Yuanpei select a group of outstanding students from Nanyang Public School to study Latin, a total of 20 people, and study at Aurora College.

"Aurora", which means the bright east and the promising future. The school used the old Xujiahui Observatory as the school building. Ma Xiangbo was the dean, personally made the constitution, and implemented student autonomy. Various professors were appointed by the church. Ma Xiangbo also asked the president of the Jesuit Society to assist. Ma Xiangbo poured all his family resources to build the school, with a total of 1.30 million yuan.

Ma Xiangbo statue