Foreign Students Record High Number in Shanghai

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, January 15, 2002

Foreign Students Record High Number in Shanghai

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Foreign students in Shanghai on marked rise

Chinese students going on a study program abroad from Shanghai are now in a smaller number than those coming to study in Shanghai from abroad, the first time witnessing this metropolis receives more foreign students in 20 years.

Statistics show that a total of 6300 foreign students came to Shanghai last year, as against 5100 who went on a study program abroad from Shanghai.

As China expands exchanges with foreign countries and Shanghai's economy grows at a rapid speed, foreign students coming to Shanghai are noted to have a marked rise in recent years.

In the 1980's, foreign students studying in Shanghai numbered only at 1500, but in 2001 alone, the number increased to 6300, taking up 12 percent of total foreign students coming to China.

The foreign students are reportedly from 113 countries and study in 24 universities in Shanghai.

Foreign students attracted by favorable conditions

Experts say that more and more foreign students choose to study in China because study and life expenses are relatively low compared with other countries due to the fact that China is politically stable, a prospering economy is developed, quality of Shanghai's higher education is also increasing day by day.

In the meanwhile, as China has joined the WTO and the need for various types of talented personnel changes, Shanghai student structure to study abroad is also changing. The number of students with a higher education, young white collars, well-known middle school students and college students is increasing.

In 20 years, some 100,000 students went abroad, so far, some 20,000 have got back home. Shanghai is providing more and more opportunities for overseas students.

Some 520,000 foreign students from 166 countries studied in China last year, the number are equal with those studying abroad from China for the first time. Among the whole student body from abroad Asian students numbered 390,000, Europeans stood at 6000, Americans and Canadians students at 5000.

Foreign Students in Shanghai

Statistics show that more than 6,000 foreign students have pursued long-term (at least one semester) higher education in Shanghai, and about one sixth, study at Fudan University.

Following Fudan is Shanghai Jiaotong University, Tongji University, East China Normal University and Shanghai International Studies University.

"These years the number of foreign students studying in Shanghai has seen obvious increases," said Shen Wenzhong, Director of Fudan's International Culture Exchange College.

The increase is related to China's foreign policy as well as the world economy, said Wang Zheng, a clerk with the Foreign Students Office at Shanghai International Studies University.

Foreign Students to Study in China Keep on Rising

Statistics from Ministry of Education (MOE) shows that by the end of 2001, the number of overseas students coming to China for study exceeded 350,000, balancing the level with that of Chinese students studying abroad. Majors they choose range from language study, short-term training to the pursuance for academic degree with more and more students intending to learn finance, economy and trade in China.

By PD Online Staff Li Yan

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