1833. Humboldt university in Berlin, Germany, founded in 18 10, formerly known as Berlin university, is a public comprehensive research university, the highest institution of learning in Germany and the world academic center before World War II. Humboldt University has a Sinology Department at 1833. The sinology course of Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany, started at 1833, and was offered by William Short, one of the three outstanding sinologists in Germany at that time, who taught the language and history of China.