What are English-taught degree programs like at Fudan's SIRPA?

Editor’s note

Around 12 am, voices came from the lounge room at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA). Several international students were talking about their recent research and life in Fudan over lunch.

As a regular activity held by the SIRPA, this luncheon conference helps the international students to know more about each other and offers them a platform to share their ideas. Professor Su Changhe, dean of SIRPA, was also listening attentively to the students and exchanging views on various topics with them.

“China is definitely a rising power and plays important roles internationally, I come to China to learn first-handedly and Fudan offers a strong English-taught program,” said Salman at the luncheon, a student in the Doctoral Program in International Politics (DPIP) with a focus on security issues.

Prof. Su Changhe is exchanging his views on global events with DPIP students.

Established in 2013, the DPIP prepares scholars and practitioners with both theoretical and practical ability in fields of public and international affairs. Students can further their research and compose dissertation around topics of their interest, including International Relations Theory, International Political Economy, International Security, Great-power Diplomacy, Chinese Foreign Policy, International Organization, Comparative Politics, BRICS Study, Global Governance, Religion and International Relations, etc.

The program has cultivated many outstanding graduates, many of whom are now working in various international organizations as well as academia. Andrea Ghiselli is a graduate of DPIP, and his revised version of doctoral dissertation was published later by Oxford University Press. He is now an assistant professor at Fudan University, offering courses available to the whole university.

For Ghiselli, the increasingly internationalized campus enriched not only the students’ learning but also his own teaching ability. He spoke highly of the curriculum and faculty staff of the program, and the charm of Shanghai also attracts him to stay here. “Many factors were involved, including the attraction of the city of Shanghai.”

In addition to programs at doctoral levels, SIRPA also holds several English-instructed programs for masters.

MA in Chinese Politics and Diplomacy (MCPD) is a two-year program that focuses on Chinese politics and international relations. Students can decide on a field of interest to further their research.

João Cumarú and Tatiana Tkachenko are both students of CPD programs, but they have vastly different research interests. João focuses on the China-Brazil cooperation in terms of energy transition, while Tatiana is trying to figure out whether China’s open-government attempts can be applied back in Russia.

“I have to look up many Chinese government documents. It’s really challenging since my Chinese is not good enough.” But she is trying her best and finding new ways to understand them. “For me, it’s also a process of knowing China better.”

One thing they both agree on is how Fudan creates a free environment for them to conduct research. Students can take courses that they deem relevant to their studies. “This freedom of choice is what makes Fudan’s program competitive.”

In response to the growing needs for policy analysts and practitioners both locally and globally, the MA in International Public Policy program (MIPP), was launched in 2014. Some graduates are working in international organizations to help advance important policy initiatives, and Ito Mei, a second year IPP student, was eager to join.

“Climate is not something relevant to just a group of people. It’s a fundamental premise for anyone to survive.” Mei said, she is interested in addressing climate issues, and the international community in Fudan gave her a new perspective. “You’d be amazed how people from different origins can have so different views on the same matter.”

Besides, Fudan University and Sciences Po jointly established a dual-degree master’s program on “Europe and Asia in Global Affairs” back in 2010. Anna Seignovert is now in her second year of this two-year program, and she said Sciences Po’s case-based study and Fudan’s methodology courses complemented each other and helped her in her study.

“I learned a lot from both Sciences Po and Fudan.”

Zhang Ping

Assistant Dean of SIRPA