Students and professionals from all disciplines are invited to apply for the program.

National Chengchi University announced that Ministry of Education Taiwan has consented to the launch of the comprehensive two-year English taught program in China Studies: International Master's Program in China studies. Students and professionals from all disciplines are invited to apply for the program.

In launching the new degree course, the university said that the program is designed to offer an in-depth analysis of the Political, Social, Ethnic, Cultural and Economic characteristics of Mainland China. The specialty of the program is its emphasis on the evolving challenges in the Taiwan Strait relations, added to its central focus on the internal dynamics of the Chinese society. The course offers the unique opportunity of being able to study the developments in Mainland China from a perspective that appreciates and affects the internal dynamics of Taiwanese society and prepares the students to build a career in this rapidly developing region.

According to the Dean of NCCU's College of Social Sciences Prof. An-Pang Kao, this International Master's Program in China Studies offers a spectrum of courses on China covering various aspects of the society in Mainland China. In the first year students will be introduced to Economic, Political, Social, Spatial and Ethnic developments in Mainland China. In the second year, emphasis would be on the modernization and foreign relations of China. Reform of State-Owned enterprises, Social Stratification and Mobility, Urban and Rural Enterprises, Social Protection are some of courses offered on modernization in China. China's relations with other major powers, Cross-strait relations apart from Third world relations will predominate the foreign relations study of China.

Prof. Kao also pointed out that applicants are required to posses a four-year baccalaureate degree in any discipline equivalent to the baccalaureate degrees offered by Taiwanese institutions. The course would be completely taught in English and students would be required to demonstrate their proficiency in English. The Dean also made it clear that applicants from English speaking countries would be exempted from taking a written test on English Comprehension. Applicants from non-English speaking countries would be expected to demonstrate their English ability through TOEFL or GRE or an Official communication from their respective Ministry of External Affairs certifying the English ability of the applicant and by performing well in a test on English Composition. Students who have graduated from a school where the medium of communication was English would be exempted from such requirements. The courses will be conducted during the evenings and weekends to permit professionals, who are generally busy during weekdays, to join the program.

The Dean, who is structuring the curriculum, said that all prospective students would be expected to gain 36 credits in total over a period of two years. In the first year, the courses would be obligatory in nature and in the second year a number of elective courses would be offered. To enhance the academic strength and career prospects the students are advised to choose courses in two academic tracks. Students will find it handy to consult the college office while making the choice of the courses. If the applicants have already studied similar courses in their respective universities for their graduation, they can apply to the College of Social Sciences for transferring the credits. However, no more than 9 credits will be transferred and the College of Social Sciences will reserve the right in taking such decisions.

(Reported by: Lin Li-Lin, Translated by: Alagu)

With the growing importance of China in the global market and almost every multinational targeting the China market, such a course

In a recent interview, Prof Kao An-Pang, Dean of the College of Social Sciences at the National Chengchi University announced the introduction of the new two-year English taught program: International Master's Program in China Studies. He highlighted the pioneering work done by the College of Social Sciences and his vision for the program. Read below for the complete interview.

The College of Social Sciences is marching on the path of globalization through its innovative education and research programs, said Prof. Kao An-Pang in a recent interview. He announced the launch of a comprehensive two-year English taught master's program in China studies that would be taught by several distinguished scholars both from abroad and Taiwan.

He says, “English taught programs are effective in internationalizing our environment which is the key to our success in this era of globalization”. China and Japan have already embarked in their mission to drastically increase the presence of international students and if we delay any further, he says, we will be left behind.

While talking about the program, he said that, it is heartening to know that quite a few institutions in Taiwan have already initiated English taught programs and it is important to maintain the momentum. He highlighted the pioneering research done by the College of Social Sciences since its inception in the area of Social Sciences and particularly on Mainland China. “This strong culture of research”, he says, “has given us the strength to initiate such a comprehensive program on China studies.” He hopes that this program will build the strong knowledge base required for young students and researchers to pursue Social Sciences research more rigorously and make NCCU a major contributor to Social Sciences Research Journals of international repute.

“The program is open for professionals and students from all disciplines”, says Prof. Kao, ”as we want to cultivate a rich diversity in perspectives.” He further says, “We want people who are interested in enhancing their understanding and career potential in this fast growing region to join us.” “Considering the fact that we have assimilated both the Western and Eastern values and with our proximity and natural understating of Chinese culture and Society”, he opines, “ We are in the best position to offer such a training on China studies.”

Talking about the increasing trend of exchange programs, he asserts that it is a trend in all-English taught programs to actively participate in student exchanges and such exchanges are an inevitable part of the internationalization process. IMCS is no exception to such a trend. He chalked out his vision for the IMCS program by saying, “We would coordinate with foreign institutions and actively involve in short- term student exchange programs to enhance knowledge sharing and understanding in all our programs.

He feels that such a program offers abundant opportunities to local students to pursue Ph.D. studies abroad and secure jobs in multinational companies that are operating in China. “With the growing importance of China in the global market and almost every multinational targeting the China market, such a course,” he opines, “is expected to attract large number of students both from Taiwan and abroad.”