Abstract: The university concept, becoming a topic experts and scholars are very interested in since 1999, is about the basic feature, ideal model, seeking objective and social responsibility of a university, which has experienced an evolutionary process. This paper explores and discusses the formation of the Chinese ancient educational thinking, the origin of modern western concepts of a university and the development of its contemporary ideas, finds out that there are some firm basic connotations in the thought for running a university in every period of time. All of which is similar to the quality education advocated at present. Then, this paper puts forward that the ideas of a university should not be an empty sermon, or a label stuck on in a conspicuous place, but should be combined with quality education to serve the talent fostering.