Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China—Mission Statement
Chinese engineering education and its internationalization
Higher education in China has experienced rapid development in the past 20 years, particularly in the past six years. The total number of students enrolled in Chinese higher education institutions reached 20 million in 2004, becoming the largest higher education system in the world. About 40 percent of the degrees awarded by Chinese higher education institutions are in engineering, much higher than the world average. However, Chinese engineering education is facing serious challenges, particularly in the age of the knowledge economy.
The first question we would like to study is a quality system for Chinese engineering education. Although the Chinese engineering education system is the largest in the world, there is still no accreditation system for engineering education in China. What is the quality framework of Chinese engineering education? What should be the accreditation criteria for various engineering programs? What kind of accreditation agencies and mechanisms could be established for Chinese engineering education?
The second question we would like to study is innovation in Chinese engineering education. The soul of engineering is innovation and creation. How can we empower engineering students with the capability of innovation and creation? What is the pattern of industry-university collaboration in China? What impact does industry-university collaboration have on the knowledge-based economy? How could industry-university collaboration contribute to preparing engineering students to be future innovators?
The third question we would like to study is internationalization of Chinese engineering education. The development of the global economy has made more companies multinational and more engineers move across the nations. Engineering designs need to take account of both local and global cultural perspectives. How should engineering education curricula and programs be adapted to match this changing environment? What kind of international programs could be created in the time of globalization?
The fourth question we would like to study is life-long learning of Chinese engineers. The rapid pace of technological change means engineers learn continuously throughout their careers. How could universities and companies best provide opportunities for such learning? What kind of continuing engineering education programs could be created?
Nian Cai Liu
Professor and Director, Institute of Higher Education
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Partner portraits
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Switzerland
- Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
- Tsinghua University, China
- Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
- University of Tokyo, Japan
- Continental AG, Germany
