Renmin University of China and Several Universities Issued the Joint Initiative on Cultivating International Competence Talents in Foreign Language Education at University

DATE： 2024-11-08

In order to fully implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, follow the workforce development strategy, and jointly cultivate high-level young talents who, with global perspectives and abilities to make good use of foreign languages, understand China’s realities and international rules, and can effectively participate in global governance, Renmin University of China, along with many other well-known universities nationwide, issued the Joint Initiative on Cultivating International Competence Talents in Foreign Language Education at University on November 3rd, 2024.

The full text of the Initiative is as follows:

Against the backdrop of globalization and transformations of the world unseen in a century unfolding at a faster pace, China plays an increasingly significant role in global governance system. Facing the profound transformation of the global governance system and international order, China urgently needs to cultivate a large number of international talents who have a deep understanding of China’s principles and policies with global perspectives, be familiar with international rules, communicate fluently in foreign languages, and excel in negotiation and communication between China and other countries. They should not only play an active role in global governance but also promote the exchange and mutual learning among civilizations, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Under the strategic blueprint that integrates education, science and technology, and talents, as well as in the vibrant development of the new liberal arts construction, higher foreign language education is endowed with the important mission of cultivating international competence talents. It is a key measure to accelerate the construction of education power and the expansion of educational opening-up. What’s more, it is a practical demand to promote the deep integration of Chinese and foreign civilizations and jointly address global challenges. Therefore, strengthening the cultivation of international competence among young people in the new era has become a vital contemporary responsibility and mission of higher education, particularly foreign language education at university. To this end, we jointly launch the following Initiative to deepen the reform of foreign language education and strengthen the cultivation of international competence talents:

01 Fostering virtue through education and building a resonance mechanism for patriotic feelings and international vision

We should foster virtue through education, cultivate young talents with deep patriotic feelings and international vision, and unswervingly follow the path of cultivating international competence talents with Chinese characteristics. It is proposed to closely meet the demand of national strategies, deepen the connection between cultivation and national development, enhance students’ aspiration to serve our country and their awareness of a community with a shared future for mankind, and comprehensively improve students’ patriotic sentiments and global perspectives. Besides, we should emphasize guiding students to have a profound understanding of China’s development history, institutional strengths, cultural essence, and contemporary achievements, and fully inspire their national pride and cultural confidence. Thus, they are better able to disseminate Chinese culture internationally and tell China’s stories well, enhancing the world’s understanding and respect for China, and contributing to the development of our soft power.

02 Focusing on the cultivation of international competence talents and comprehensively deepening the reform of foreign language teaching at university

In the grand blueprint of jointly building the Belt and Road and in the great practice actively constructing a community with a shared future for mankind, language, as a bridge for communication, is a prerequisite and fundamental guarantee for achieving “hard connectivity” in infrastructure, “soft connectivity” in rules and standards, and “heart connectivity” between people and our country. Against this backdrop, foreign language education at university plays a significant role in the higher education system and national strategic talent cultivation. It is not only a good approach to cultivating students’ language skills, but also an important approach to cultivating students’ international vision, cross-cultural communication ability, and global governance and participation ability. It is proposed to comprehensively deepen the reform of foreign language teaching at university oriented towards international competence, effectively enhancing students’ international competence and contributing Chinese wisdom to the peace and development of the international community. We are committed to leveraging the humanistic and international advantages of foreign languages, innovating teaching methods and improving teaching quality. By enriching course contents, we should also pay attention to international dynamics, follow global development trends, and grasp international rules.

03 Promoting the collaborative education mechanism with cross-discipline and cross-universities, and shaping a new paradigm for cultivating international competence talents

In the context of globalization, facing complex and dynamic challenges and opportunities, it is difficult for us to address global challenges with the single-discipline knowledge system. Therefore, promoting an educational model with cross-discipline and cross-universities, and strengthening complementary advantages has become the only way to cultivate international competence talents. In order to construct a new collaborative education mechanism with complementary advantages and shared resources, it is proposed to break down the disciplinary boundaries between foreign language teaching at university and professional subject teaching, jointly build a cross-disciplinary curriculum system, and integrate the wisdom of various fields, such as humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering technologies. We encourage teachers and students to explore the intrinsic connections and integration among disciplines through cooperation, such as establishing virtual teaching and research sections, promoting inter-university credit recognition, organizing teaching seminars, and writing textbooks together, which would help us shape a new paradigm for cultivating international competence talents based on entities that combines real and virtual elements, features strong partnerships, and opens up resources.

04 Jointly building high-level and diverse practice platforms based on social needs

It is proposed to focus on practical teaching and jointly build a series of high-level and diverse practice platforms. We could simulate real scenarios of international communication through various practical teaching methods such as case teaching, Model United Nations, international seminars, and virtual simulation platforms, allowing students to improve their skills in practice, as well as improve team collaboration abilities, cross-cultural communication skills, and the capability to solve complex problems. We could promote learning and teaching through competitions, by regularly hosting brand activities such as the Chinese International Competence Competition for Young Talents in Universities and the International Competence Forum, which is conducive to stimulating students’ enthusiasm for learning, and enhancing their professional level. We would build a practice platform for students to showcase themselves and exchange learnings, which lays a solid foundation for them to cope with challenges in a multicultural context internationally in the future, enabling them to face the challenges and opportunities of globalization with greater confidence.

05 Building an international talent training mechanism, and deepening an international cooperation and exchange system

Strengthening international exchange is an indispensable part of cultivating international competence. It is proposed to construct a broader and more in-depth network of international cooperation projects, including international cooperation programs, teacher and student exchange programs, joint research platforms, as well as international academic conferences and forums, to provide students and teachers with a wide international perspective and exchange opportunities. We are committed to expanding interdisciplinary, inter-university, and cross-border joint training projects involving governments, schools, industries, and enterprises, opening up practical channels for students to intern and work in international organizations. Through various training paths, such as establishing incentive mechanisms within the universities, recommendations outside universities, and international joint training, we will build a comprehensive stage for the training of versatile professionals, from campus to workplace, from China to the world. It is our aim to cultivate versatile professionals who possess not only deep professional knowledge but also a broad international perspective and cross-cultural communication skills, contributing to solving global issues and promoting the construction of a more just international order.

Conclusion:

Strengthening the cultivation of international competence among young people in the new era is not only an important mission of foreign language education at university, but also a driving force to promote national development and enhance human welfare. According to the Initiative, we are committed to cultivating versatile professionals with both national sentiments and international perspectives. They should have a firm stance on the overall situation of our country, be skilled in what they do, and have a good understanding of China and other countries. They will be the new force to serve the strategic needs of our country and promote the mutual understanding of civilizations. In the face of global challenges and international issues, they will bravely stand at the forefront of the era, rowing hard to surge forward with the waves. They will become the mainstays in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to world peace and development.

Attachment: List of Universities issuing the Joint Initiative (Ordered according to the serial numbers of the national list of general colleges and universities issued by the Ministry of Education)

Peking University

Renmin University of China

Tsinghua University

Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications

China Agricultural University

Capital Normal University

Beijing International Studies University

Communication University of China

China Foreign Affairs University

Tianjin University

Jilin University

Northeast Normal University

Fudan University

Zhejiang University

Northwestern Polytechnical University

 

Editor: Li Danyang