Stanford University, officially known as Leland Stanford Junior University, is a prestigious private research university in Stanford, California. Founded in 1891 by Leland and Jane Stanford, it has grown to be one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The university occupies a vast campus of 8,180 acres and enrolls over 17,000 students. Stanford is known for its significant endowment and large budget, emphasizing research and innovation across various disciplines. It employs a large administrative staff and offers extensive undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university’s philosophy emphasizes the “wind of freedom” in education and research