WorkshopYoung teachers should balance teaching and research, personal interest and specialties. This is one piece of advice shared by Professor Zheng Tiwu, Director of the Institute of Literary Studies of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) during a recent workshop on faculty members’ career development.
Zheng said foreign language skills play a vital role in realizing China’s “Belt and Road” initiative and “go global” strategy. Challenges to university teachers come from the weaknesses of outdated educational structure, unbalanced resource distribution, mono-language structure and cultivation mode, he said.
Zheng is a member of MAPRYAL presidium, a global organization for Russian studies. He pointed out that foreign language education should not narrowly focus on basic disciplines such as linguistics and literary studies. He said, “We should establish a complete educational structure of arts, humanities and social sciences, while focusing on cultivating minor-language talents.” He also said that teachers, according to personal interests, should be encouraged to carry out research on Area Studies.
Zhang Jing, director of SISU’s Office of CPC Organization, said the workshop is an effective communication platform for SISU faculty and researchers to share experience in career development.
