Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
School of English for International Business (SEIB)
Introduction
In order to be adapted to the fast-developing society and to education globalization, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies founded the School of English for International Business (SEIB) in 2001, a teaching-research school aiming to fostering high-level and inter-disciplinary talents in International Business. SEIB has integrated GDUFS's resources of talents and advantages of teaching and academic research in disciplines such as foreign languages, economics, management and law over the years. SEIB ranks top in innovative talent cultivation models and teaching reforms, and it has been established by the Ministry of Education as a "Pilot Institution to Innovate International Business Training Models" and credited by the Ministry of Finance as a school of "Higher Education Institution for Specialized English Education". Furthermore, SEIB is currently one of the most important collective members of the China Association of Forensic Linguistics (CAFL) and of the China Association of International Business English, with faculty members being vice-president or secretary-general there.
With unremitting efforts to strive for excellence, SEIB, persevering to its characteristic education and focus on cross-culture understanding, commits itself to cultivating talents featuring a strong sense of both ethics and expertise and capability of cross-cultural communication and innovation. Graduates from SEIB, specialized in Business English and International Business, are prepared to participate directly into international competitions due to their international vision and their good command of international practices. Moreover, SEIB has never stopped its efforts to build itself into a top teaching-research school of in-depth internationalization and distinct characteristics.
SEIB is among the first higher education institutions approved by the Ministry of Education to offer a BA program on Business English and is also the first school of higher education to use English as the instructional language for all courses. In 1999, SEIB became the first school in China to recruit MA students of ESP. In 2002, SEIB started to recruit PhD candidates of Forensic Linguistics. In 2006, SEIB started to recruit PhD candidates of Comparative Study and Translation between Chinese and English. In 2008, SEIB became the very first school in China approved by the Academic Degree Commission of the State Council to launch the MA degree program on Business English Studies (a Class-two discipline) under the Class-one discipline of Foreign Language and Literature. In 2012, SEIB became the very first school in China to launch the PhD degree program on Business English Studies (a Class-two discipline) under the Class-one discipline of Foreign Language and Literature. In 2019, Business English and International Business majors were selected into the National First-Class Undergraduate Major Construction Program.
There are currently two specialized programs: Business English and International Business. Business English majors may choose to go after one of four business orientations, namely, International Business Management, International Trade, International Finance and International Business Law. International Business majors may have the opportunity to be admitted into the "International Business Innovation Class" to work on dual-degree programs. SEIB is one of the first schools to be approved to start a PhD program on Business English Studies. Besides, it also offers an MA module oriented at Forensic Linguistics.
Faculty
SEIB is boasting a productive and experienced staff, 90% of whom have overseas educational background. Currently, there are 84 in-service professional lecturers, 12 of whom are professors and 26 of whom are associate professors. In addition, SEIB has recruited many foreign experts experienced in either teaching or business practice, projecting a high degree of internationalization.
SEIB staff fall into two major categories: teachers of English and teachers of Business. The former have obtained their diplomas and corresponding professional titles in linguistics, literature and cultural studies, some of whom have already established their reputation in the fields of Business English and Forensic Linguistics; the latter in economics, management and law, some of whom are closely associated with the business community, possessing a wealth of business management experience.
Academic Research Achievement
There are six research and innovation teams, namely, business discourse research team, Forensic linguistics research team, business English teaching research team, business translation and international communication research team, international business management and overseas enterprise research team and cross-cultural communication research team.
International Exchange
In recent years, SEIB has been continuously expanding its scope of international cooperation and exchange, reaching a high level of internationalization. So far, it has already cooperated with many universities from USA, Germany, UK, Australia and Canada in exchange student programs and cooperative teaching programs.SEIB has achieved high-level overseas cooperation and considerably internationalized its teaching, research and management.
Internship and Practice
Valuing the spirit of dedication and pursuance of excellency, SEIB organized students to serve as volunteers at such important sports games and conferences as Asian Games, Asian Para Games, the Universiade, and Annual Meeting of China Association for Science and Technology. And, on the basis of its cooperation with ten museums, SEIB sends students there to work as volunteer guides on a regular basis.
SEIB's graduates, with a polished competitive edge, are very popular with employers, enjoying a high rate of quality employment. They are mainly employed by the "Fortune 500 Enterprises", the four largest international accounting firms, businesses dealing in foreign trade, and foreign-related enterprises.
（Updated on 20th June, 2024）
