At 60, ECNU program continues to be a magnet for international students

Today, ECNU offers a comprehensive system of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. The curriculum has expanded beyond traditional language studies to include specialized tracks like business Chinese, adapting to evolving global needs.

David Janna, a 2017 graduate from Colombia who completed the international business program at ECNU, exemplifies the success of this model. "Through China, you can build many bridges in the world," he said. "Whether in trade, education, or culture, I wanted to help foster closer relations between my country, Asia and China."

After graduation, Janna established his own company, facilitating business between multinational companies and contributing to China-Colombia relations.

"ECNU opened China's doors to me, allowing me to explore not just the language, but also culture, commerce and economics."

The 60th anniversary celebrations included the university's 19th international cultural festival, featuring student representatives from 73 countries. The event welcomed nearly 100 international alumni and introduced new cultural pavilions from countries including the Solomon Islands and the Bahamas.

Running parallel to the festival, the second international Chinese language education case competition for postgraduates attracted 3,433 students from 285 universities, showcasing innovative approaches to cultural education. The winning team from ECNU, comprising both Chinese and international students, demonstrated creative methods for teaching advanced Chinese to foreign students.

"We've established a comprehensive academic system covering all levels of international Chinese education," noted Wu Jian, ECNU vice-president. "Over six decades, we've trained more than 100,000 international students and 20,000 overseas Chinese language teachers and educational leaders."

The university plans to enhance program quality, strengthen research capabilities, and expand global partnerships while deepening bilateral and multilateral exchange programs, according to Wu.

For current students like Tran, the experience represents more than academic pursuit. "Studying in China is not just about learning the Chinese language and culture," she said. "It's also a chance to globalize myself while localizing in China."