The Ministry of Education has released interim measures for higher education institutions establishing centres to conduct research on foreign countries and regions. The goal of these centres should be to support education reform as well as to inform decision-making on foreign policies. Universities should apply to the Ministry of Education before setting up this type of research centre, but must first have established a Confucius Institute or a strong partnership programme in the relevant country. The research centres should actively participate in international academic exchanges and host at least one conference every year.

The initiative of establishing research centres on foreign countries and regions was officially launched in November 2011. Examples include the centres for British studies operated by Beijing Foreign Studies University and Shanghai International Studies University.

Analysis by Liu Jing, Assistant Director Education Marketing

These research centres will be involved and consulted in the decision making process on China’s education internationalization policies. Local institutions and authorities might need input and support from UK institutions on centres for British studies. Efforts could also possibly be made to encourage the establishment of more British centres in Chinese universities. UK institutions are encouraged to get more involved in the research centres, as these centres could be a good platform for partnership program development and also profile/awareness raising in China.

Source: http://www.moe.gov.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/s7068/201502/18...

Please direct any enquiries to Liu Jing at liu.jing@britishcouncil.org.cn.