“National Forum on Chinese Discipline Construction in Foreign Languages Universities ” held by our school
On October 17th, Beijing Foreign Studies University held Online National Forum on Chinese discipline construction in foreign languages universities on the topic of Deepening the construction of Chinese discipline in foreign languages universities to serve the national strategic needs. 70 dean administrators from other 7 universities also attended the meeting and exchanged opinions deeply. These universities are Shanghai International Studies University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Tianjin Foreign Languages University, Xi'an International Studies University, Dalian Foreign Languages University, Sichuan Foreign Languages University, Beijing International Studies University.
The Member of the Standing Committee of the Party committee and vice president Yuan Jun from BFSU thought highly of Chinese studies of BFSU and highlighted the important position they played in cultivating students majoring in foreign studies. He also pointed out that, since Chinese society has entered a new stage, Chinese studies therefore should seize the historical opportunities and develop towards a brighter future so as to shoulder more responsibilities in cultural exchanges.
Yu Jiang, the Vice president of Tianjin International Studies University pointed out that measures should be taken to build New Chinese Studies, based on the fact that changes have taken place. He highlighted the importance of dialog between Chinese studies and foreign studies, and put forward the need of mutual corporation between them.
Former vice president of Renmin University of China Yang Huilin pointed out that foreign studies these years have expanded research areas from foreign languages studies and foreign literature studies to foreign languages studies, foreign literature studies, translation and interpretation, regional studies and inter-cultural studies, which serves as a golden opportunity for the development of Chinese studies based on foreign studies.
The heads of Chinese discipline in eight foreign languages universities spoke at the forum successively. They introduced the development process of Chinese discipline in their respective schools, analyzed their own strengths and weakness, opportunities and challenges, and put forward thoughts and suggestions for future development. Zhang Xiaohui, Executive Dean of the School of Chinese Language and Literature of our university, made a theme report entitled “From 1.0 to 3.0 -- Review and Prospect of the Construction of the Chinese Discipline of BFSU”. It comprehensively reviewed the development of the Chinese discipline in BFSU, which started from public courses to doctoral training in the past 70 years, and introduced the development ideas and specific examples of the future construction of the Chinese discipline of BFSU 4.0 from both “knowledge” and “action”. The universities also shared their experiences and practices of relying on the advantages of foreign languages universities to achieve characteristic development, especially the achievements and experience of talent training in the construction of international Chinese teaching major, creative writing, cultural inheritance and international dissemination of Chinese language and culture. During the forum discussion, the participants had a lively and active exchange and discussion on issues, such as the construction of creative writing courses, dialect language database, Chinese international education case database, and double major.
Zhan Furui, Dean of the School of Chinese Language and Literature of our university, made a concluding speech at the closing ceremony of the forum. He summarized the current situation of Chinese discipline in foreign languages universities, and deeply analyzed the ecological environment of Chinese discipline in foreign languages university. He also pointed out the lack of doctoral program in Chinese discipline in foreign languages university. The mission of foreign languages university, the promotion of foreign language discipline and the training of new talents all need the support of high level Chinese discipline. He used the three metaphors of “breaking down the wall”, “entering the stream” and “competing for seats” to provide directional suggestions for the future development of Chinese discipline in foreign languages universities, that is, to break the disciplinary barriers and realize the real integration of Chinese and foreign language disciplines; to improve the quality and level, to enter the mainstream of Chinese discipline; to seek characteristic development, and to win a place in the construction of “new Chinese”. He said that BFSU is willing to work with other universities to establish a “National Alliance of Chinese Discipline in Foreign Language Universities”.
The successful holding of the “forum on the Chinese discipline construction in foreign languages universities” is an important measure to better implement the report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. It is of great significance to enhance the exchanges and cooperation in the Chinese disciplines of foreign languages universities across the country, and create a good development environment, to realize the gathering effect of complementary advantages and collaboration.
