Letter of Intent for International Exchange and Cooperation

School of English Studies (SES)


Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), China

About SISU and SES

Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) was founded in 1949 and is a key Chinese university under direct administration of the Ministry of Education. SISU has a complete educational system for BA, MA and PhD programs and runs 35 undergraduate programs. SISU consists of twenty colleges and ten research centers and institutes that offer quality education for over 6,000 undergraduate students and 1,500 postgraduate students. As a key university in China, SISU is known for its high-quality teaching and research in foreign languages and literature. SISU is active in international exchange and cooperation and has established cooperative relations with more than 110 institutions of higher learning in over 30 countries.


SISU’s School of English Studies (SES), established in 1956, is the university’s largest college in numbers of students and staff. As authorized by the Ministry of Education, SES launched an M.A. program in English Language and Literature in 1980, a PhD program in 1983 and a postdoctoral program in 2003. TheEnglish Language and Literature Program at SES is officially recognized as one of the Top Six in China by the Ministry of Education. Among more than 1000 English colleges and departments in China, SES plays a leading role in English teaching and research.


SES offers two undergraduate programs, the English Language & Literature Program and the Sino-English Bilingual Translation Program; and two programs leading to Master’s and Doctoral degrees, English Language & Literature and Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, with the support of five research centers. Currently there are 1,097 undergraduates, 710 MA candidates and 155 Doctoral students.


SES enrolls top high school graduates from all over China for its BA programs and produces graduates competent in both professional knowledge and practical skills. BA students at SES study four years for their degrees. SES’s BA program focuses on building students’ lingual and cultural competence by providing courses covering literature, culture, philosophy, translation, linguistics and other studies in the humanities. In 2007, SES launched a pilot program -- International Civil Service Class, aiming to produce excellent multi-lingual graduates competent for positions in international institutions and organizations.


As the flagship college at SISU, SES is active in international cooperation and exchange. It has established steady cooperative relations with a number of institutions of higher learning in English-speaking countries, and plans to expand such exchange and cooperation.

 

Aim of International Exchange and Cooperation

SES’s aim of international exchange and cooperation is to offer excellent education to students by sharing experiences in education, research, and managerial operation with overseas institutions of higher learning. To this end SES seeks to promote academic and educational exchange and cooperation with international counterparts on the basis of equality, sharing of resources and complementary advantages. Through such efforts SES hopes to produce outstanding graduates with high levels of competence in language and intercultural communication, knowledge of the humanities, independent and critical thinking, a broad view of the world, imagination, creativity and leadership. These graduates, in turn, will be able to play significant roles as talented academic and practical experts in various fields.


Programs and Forms

Programs for students

3.1.1 Exchange program

SES and the partner institution would exchange an equal number of students with one another for a single-semester or full-year program, with tuition fees exempted. Under the program, students could register for courses related to their majors and credits would be valid for both sides. SES could offer Chinese language courses and courses on Chinese studies conducted in the English language for exchange students, including Chinese literature, culture, arts, philosophy, economy, law, etc. The host institution would grant the certificate at the end of the program.


3.1.2 Visiting program

SES would send students for short-term study to the partner institution and a certificate would be issued by the host institution at the end of the program. The duration of the visiting program is typically three/four weeks but it could be shorter or longer according to the demands of both sides. The visiting program is typically conducted during the summer break but it could also be arranged for the spring season or the autumn season.


SES would also offer summer programs to students from the partner institution. The program content would include Chinese language courses and courses on Chinese studies conducted in the English language. The specific arrangements, including courses, time and duration, could be tailored to the demands of the partner institution.


3.1.3 Study abroad program

To enhance students’ academic insights, international vision and life skills, SES would encourage its students to spend a period of study at the partner institution, typically for a full academic year or a single semester.


3.1.4 “3+2” program

Undergraduate students at SES would spend three years studying at SISU and the fourth year at the host institution. Credits would be valid for both sides and SISU would grant the BA Degree. Qualified students could pursue MA studies at the partner institution, who would grant the MA degree when its requirements are met by the student.


3.1.5 “2+2” program

Undergraduate students at SES would spend the first two years at SISU and the remaining two years at the partner institution, applying required credits from both sides toward the BA degree. Credits from both sides would be valid reciprocally and both sides would grant students their BA degrees.


3.1.6 Intercultural leadership program

For students who want more than just academic involvement, the Intercultural leadership program, with an element of leadership enhancement incorporated, offers an opportunity to help students gain insight into the life and culture of the country of the host institution. The program usually takes the form of a short-term study (3 weeks or more) at the partner institution. It could also be as long as a semester. A certificate would be issued by the host institution at the end of the program. The content of the program would be decided on the basis of consultation and agreement between the two sides.


3.2 Programs for staff


3.2.1 Visiting scholar program

Each side would accept teaching staff from the other as visiting scholars for programs lasting 1, 3 or 6 months. Details would be specified by both sides.


3.2.2 Teaching staff exchange program

Each side would exchange an equal number of teaching staff with the other for programs lasting for a semester or a full academic year. The host institution would provide all necessary living and research accommodation for visiting staff.


3.2.3 Joint research program

Both sides would strive to cooperate in international academic conferences, lectures, seminars and joint research. Details of such cooperation would be stipulated by specific agreement.

As specified above, SES seeks to establish cooperative relations with prominent overseas institutions of higher learning in programs for students and teaching staff. The collaboration of SES with the partner institution could focus on any one or more than one of these programs based on the intent and interest of the partner institution. SES would also welcome proposals of programs that are not described in the Letter of Intent. The cooperation would be conducted on the basis of friendship and mutual trust. Convenient and favourable policies would be provided by both sides in terms of credit validity, tuition exemption and reduction, scholarships, course design, academic resources and managerial services.


March 20, 2011

School of English Studies

Shanghai International Studies University

Shanghai, People’s Republic of China


Website: http://ses.shisu.edu.cn/

E-mail address: engdept@shisu.edu.cn

Tel: 0086-021-35372326

Mailing address: School of English Studies , Shanghai International Studies University, 550 Dalian Road (W), Shanghai, 200083 China

  • 上外英语学院