Industry Journal – Issue 8

December 2014

Issue 8 of CHE’s Industry Journal delivers up-to-date market intelligence, emerging opportunities and the latest news on China’s tertiary education and research sector.

Highlights include:

• Feature Article: Shaping Your Social Media Strategy in China
• MOE withdraws approval or more than 250 joint-programs
  
• China to implement first ever comprehensive English testing system
• Chinese graduate survey reveals barrier to employment
• MOST to relinquish control of R&D funding
• And much more …
  

Take a look at what’s inside…

Feature Article: Shaping Your Social Media Strategy in China
Over 90 per cent of China’s 620 million internet users are registered to at least one form of social media. Social media is central to Chinese internet users’ online experience, particularly compared to the US, where only 60 per cent of netizens use social media, and is now one of the main sources of information in China.

Nevertheless, the way in which social media is accessed and used in China varies somewhat from other countries, meaning that a targeted country-specific strategy is necessary for those looking to use this channel to engage with prospective Chinese students and their families and alumni.

In this article, we explore popular platforms in China and discuss how foreign education providers can most effectively use social media to improve brand awareness and attract students in China.

The Policy section in this issue includes:

MOE withdraws approval for more than 250 joint programs
The Ministry of Education has closed 252 Sino-foreign joint education partnerships in a China-wide evaluation of current joint programs and organizations. The terminated programs are only non-degree programs, and include secondary and tertiary vocational programs, specialist tertiary courses, and programs offering international diplomas.

This issue’s General News section includes:

Graduate survey reveals barriers to employment
A survey of graduates returning to China after studies overseas has found 72 per cent believe they are unable to find suitable employment. The survey is being conducted by Weihaipai Returnees Community, a social media start-up company that targets returnees.

ICEF joins with BOSSA to launch China education agent course
ICEF has joined with the Beijing Overseas Study Service Association (BOSSA) to launch a new training course and certification system aimed at education agents in China. The course is based on ICEF’s international agent courses but includes China-specific information and is backed by the Chinese government.

The R&D Round-up section includes:

Ministry of Science and Technology to relinquish control of R&D funding
The Ministry of Science and Technology has announced it plans to relinquish control of China’s national R&D budget, instead assigning independent institutes to manage R&D spending. To be rolled out over the next 3-5 years, the plan was jointly announced by MoST and the Ministry of Finance.

In this edition’s Media & Market Monitor:

• Leading foreign universities’ presence on microblogs in China
• Wu Shulian Chinese University Rankings: Leading Chinese universities in 2014
• Wu Shulian Chinese University Rankings: 985 project universities with weakest academic programs in 2014
• Wu Shulian Chinese University Rankings: Leading 211 project universities with strong academic programs in 2014