Higher education in China and in western countries,although different in their origins, were all for human development and social requirement.From the development path of universities,philosophy, religious and other social sciences were the core of higher education in ancient times both in China and western countries. Research on natural science hadn’t showed its importance in universities until Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin was foundedWith the develonment of science, higher education tends to be restricted in relative narrow disciplinary area and lead to a separation of teaching and researchIn the con struction of“double first-class university”Chinese universities should maintain the original purpose of pursuing truth and improving human beings.A university should not only focus on knowledge transfer and skill building,but also emphasize“pursuit of enduring truth”Constructing learning community and em- bracing modern information technology are crucial for Chinese universities to improve their quality of edu cation. Both the micro-internal drives and macro-external mechanism should be established for the reform of Chinese Universities.