Opening ceremony of CSC Higher Education Pedagogy Executive Study Programme

中文

On 12 June, NCPA hosted the inauguration ceremony and welcome luncheon for the 15th batch of participants from the China Scholarship Council on Higher Education Pedagogy Executive Study Programme. Professor Liu Hong, Associate Vice President, International and Director of NPCA (Research and EDP), NTU; several special guests from the Chinese Embassy’s Education Section including Dr Han Jun, Minister Counsellor, Mr Wang Yong, the First Secretary, Mr Wang Wei, First Secretary and Mr Pan Chenwei, Third Secretary; as well as Dr Dai Shiyan and Mr Wang Hang, both Deputy Directors of NCPA, and a few lecturers were present to mark this significant occasion in fostering educational excellence. 

In his welcome address, Prof Liu emphasised the value of in-depth and meaningful knowledge exchanges pertaining to international higher education and shared the success of NTU’s journey towards internationalisation. Renowned for its consistent top rankings in the QS World University Rankings and its distinction as the leading young university globally, NTU is ranked fifth in Asia in the recently released Times Higher Education Asian University Rankings 2023. With contributions from its remarkable 5,000 faculty members and researchers, hailing from 275 countries and its extensive alumni network of 275,000 alumni representing 159 nationalities, NTU continues to blaze trails in academia globally. 

In his introduction, Dr Han Jun shared an overview of the unique blend of Singapore's national conditions and local culture, extending warm wishes to the students for a fruitful and enriching learning experience in Singapore. 

Mr Shen Lihuang, Deputy Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Office of Zhejiang Normal University, spoke as a class representative, expressing their desire to assimilate Singaporean educational concepts and glean valuable experiences on international education. 

Since 2014, NCPA has served as the first training base in Asia for the China Scholarship Council, and successfully conducted 14 cohorts of administrative and management cadres from mostly Tier-One universities in China, empowering each cohort with new insights and skills. The programme also offers a three-month immersive experience that combines theoretical courses with practical visits, and a customised curriculum to enhance the participants' international vision, professional expertise, and cross-cultural competence. 

Another noteworthy achievement from the project is the publication of the book "International Talent Strategies and Higher Education Governance: the Singapore Experience and Its implications." edited by Prof Liu Hong and Mr Li Guangzhou. The book sheds light on globalisation and the internationalisation of higher education, offering valuable insights into Singapore's talent strategy and its potential implications for China. 

With 38 representatives from 38 distinguished Chinese universities, the programme serves as a catalyst for fostering a global mindset, cultivating cross-cultural competencies among educators, enhancing their international perspective, and helping them to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of international education. 

(Note: Some parts of this report have been adapted from the Shenzhou Scholar Network, originally authored by Mr Gao Haoxin, who is a member in this batch of the Executive Study Programme and a lecturer at Northeastern University.)