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Shanghai International Studies University

Upholding the motto of “Integrity, Vision and Academic Excellence”, Shanghai International Studies University (Shanghai International Studies University) is an internationally recognized, prestigious academic institution distinctive for its multidisciplinary, globalized nature, committed to preparing innovative professionals and future torchbearers for a wide range of international expertise to address the critical challenges of our times.

OUR HISTORY

Our history began in December 1949 with the establishment of the Shanghai Russian School affiliated to East China People’s Revolution University, as one of the earliest institutions where China’s higher education in foreign languages took shape. Its first president, Jiang Chunfang, is a renowned translator of Russian and publisher who pioneered the publication of the Encyclopedia of China. Throughout its history, Shanghai International Studies University has attracted and retained distinguished scholars with commitment to teaching and academic pursuits, including Fang Chong, Lu Peixian, and Xu Zhongnian, who have become part of the University’s increased wealth of intellectual resources.

LEADING ACADEMICS

A globalized and top-notch university in China, Shanghai International Studies University has successfully developed a diverse and distinctive mix of disciplines with language and literature as its pillar. Having established and maintained a high academic stature among universities of its kind, the University has been funded to offer ten national featured specialties, adding to our existing three national key disciplines and one national undergraduate education platform for non-universal foreign languages. In recent years, Shanghai International Studies University’s distinctive strength has been further enhanced with the number of language-related degree programs increasing to 25 (covering 21 foreign languages) and the number of doctoral and master’s degree programs significantly growing, resulting in a more balanced educational structure. The Graduate Institute of Interpretation and Translation (GIIT) of Shanghai International Studies University is awarded the highest ranking by AIIC, the International Association of Conference Interpreters, as the only Asian university among the 15 top professional conference interpreting schools in the world.

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

With a mission to “introduce the rest of the world to China” and “present China globally”, Shanghai International Studies University has won an unparalleled reputation in China’s linguistic research and diplomatic studies. Drawing on our strengths in multi-language programs and multi-disciplinary resources, while responding to national and regional strategies, we operate more than fifty research institutes and centers serving as academic think tanks to provide advisory services on language policies, diplomatic strategies and global public opinion of China. These academic entities have contributed landmark research and are also dedicated to promoting the development of social sciences in China. The University currently edits and publishes 11 highly regarded and rigorously peer-reviewed academic journals. Among them, the Journal of Foreign Languages, funded by China’s National Social Science Foundation, is the only one on linguistic studies among China’s “Top 30 University Journals in Social Sciences”.

GLOBAL PRESENCE

We have made it a strategic priority in our development planning to go global and actively work on expanding students’ international horizons, in particular focusing on their immersion in a multicultural environment. We have now established partnerships with more than 280 universities and institutions from 55 countries and regions, and have maintained close connection with international organizations, including the United Nations and the European Union. We have also compiled and published a series of Mandarin Chinese textbooks to be used by non-Chinese speakers as a means of further promoting cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world. Over the past five years, around 4,000 international students have been enrolled each year in our Chinese language programs or other degree schemes and seven Confucius Institutes have been established in Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.

CAMPUS FACILITIES

Shanghai International Studies University has two campuses, Hongkou Campus and Songjiang Campus, covering a total area of 74.7 hectares. The two campuses are closely interrelated but distinct with their own features. The university libraries have a total collection of around 0.92 million cataloged volumes (over half in foreign languages) and over 1.1 million electronic documents. A powerful digital audio-visual database containing multimedia resources in foreign studies has been set up to serve the needs of teaching and research. The University also houses a range of state-of-the-art teaching facilities including world-class simultaneous interpretation systems, satellite signal-receiving devices and linguistic laboratories.

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

Taking advantage of their intercultural expertise and professional knowledge, Shanghai International Studies University faculty and students actively volunteer their services at international conferences, sports games and other multilingual events. We are also committed to advancing China’s foreign language education. In 2012, Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press (SFLEP), affiliated with Shanghai International Studies University, published 1,268 books,  of which 890, or seventy point one percent , were reprinted. 5 of the 10 most highly cited books of language subjects listed in the Analysis of Highly Cited Index of China 2010 were published by SFLEP,indicating our strong influence in Chinese academia.

We have been dedicated to providing our students with a humanistic and holistic education that enables them to think globally and innovatively and make practical use of their professional knowledge and skills for smooth cross-cultural communication. Over the past 60-plus years, our graduates have been contributing to the economic and social development of China and to the promotion of friendly exchange with people around the world.