New Student Exchange Agreement with Renowned Chinese University
The Faculty of Social Sciences has signed an agreement on student exchanges with Fudan University’sthe School of Social Development and Public Policy of Fudan University, which is located in Shanghai.
Doctoral Candidate in Social Politics Merita Jokela is very pleased with her exchange with Fudan University.
Initially, the cooperation began in 2012, when the University of Turku applied for funding from the Centre for International Mobility (CIMO) for doctoral cooperation and networking with China.
Fudan University was interested in launching student exchange also for bachelor and master level students, and the suggestion was met with enthusiasm at the University of Turku.
Fudan University is one of the best in China, especially in the research of social sciences. In addition, an exceptional number of courses in English are available for master level exchange students in particular.
The research focuses on the burning questions of modern Chinese society, such as the aging population, the differences in the standard of living and the internal migration.
– In China, migrant workers do not have the same rights as the rest of the workforce. For instance, their children cannot go to school on their new place of residence, says Docent in East Asian Studies Outi Luova.
The University of Turku offers the students of Fudan University courses in social sciences as well as in methodology, which Luova believes will be particularly interesting to the Asian students.
Chinese universities already have good relations with those in the United States and Japan, and now, they are increasingly interested in cooperating with European and Nordic universities.
– It is important that our students extend their view beyond the Finnish borders, and when it comes to global development, China is essential, Luova states.
Luova is pleased that cooperating with China will now reach the departments in addition to the Centre for East Asian Studies.
Interdisciplinary Approach to Sustainable Cities
The topic of a one-week-long doctoral course arranged in Shanghai last autumn was Sustainable Cities, and it covered the means for creating socially and culturally sustainable cities.
One of the participants, Doctoral Candidate in Social Politics Merita Jokela, is very pleased with her experience.
– The multidisciplinary take on the course was highly interesting: in addition to social researchers, the participants included architects and town planners. We dealt with the same issues but from different perspectives.
Ten participants were Finnish and ten from Shanghai.
Local lecturers covered for instance the topics of living and town planning in Shanghai.
– I can warmly recommend Fudan University. Had I done research on China, I would have loved to stay longer in Shanghai.
Next, the cooperation continues in Finland in June, when researchers from Fudan University visit Turku.
More information also on other forms of Fudan cooperation on the International Office's web pages: https://intranet.utu.fi/en/unit/international-office/networks/fudan/Pages/home.aspx
Text: Aura Jaakkola