Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (Chinese: 广东外语外贸大学; pinyin: Guǎngdōng Wàiyǔ Wàimào Dàxué) (GDUFS) is one of the prestigious universities in China which specializes in international studies and one of the key institutions of higher learning in Guangdong Province in South China. The University was established in June 1995 through the merger of Guangzhou Institute of Foreign Languages and Guangzhou Institute of Foreign Trade. The former, one of three institutes of foreign languages in that era (the other two being Beijing Institute of Foreign Languages and Shanghai Institute of Foreign Languages) under the direct jurisdiction of the State Education Commission (presently Ministry of Education), witnessed its establishment in the year 1965. The latter was founded in 1980, and was one of the four institutions of international trade directly under the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (presently Ministry of Commerce).
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The University is situated in Guangzhou, a city with a long history and rich cultural legacy and the economic hub in South China. It boasts three campuses, namely North Campus, South Campus and Dalang Campus, with a total area of 145 hectares. The North Campus, which covers an area of 55 hectares, is located at the northern foot of Baiyun Mountain; the South Campus, with an area of 73 hectares, is situated in Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center in Panyu District, Guangzhou; and Dalang Campus, having an area of 17 hectares, lies in Dalang, Baiyun District, Guangzhou. With surroundings featuring trees, streams, scenic bridges, and fresh air, the University serves as an ideal place for teaching, learning, and research.
Currently the University offers 55 undergraduate majors in 20 faculties and departments, which fall into 7 disciplines, namely literature, economics, management, law, engineering, science, and education. The University has been pioneering the flexibility in degree course development in order to meet the needs of an increasingly sophisticated society and student population. Early 1981, the University was granted the rights to award Master's degrees and later in 1986 it was eligible to award Doctoral degrees. It was one of the earliest universities in the China to cater to postgraduate students. Of all the degree courses offered to students, five are named key disciplines at the provincial level and one at the national level, while eight are named provincial priorities. GDUFS has two state designated research centers, one for research in humanities and social sciences and the other for training students of minor languages. In addition, the university has a province designated research center for the study of foreign literatures and cultures.
The 20 faculties and departments of the university:
The inspiration for the School of English and Education (SEE) were teachers of English courses already working in the university. In 2005, because of the expansion of the University and the Education and English departments, a new interdisciplinary school, the School of English and Education was founded. Since the 1980s, the faculty has developed a range of English language courses and educational courses. It has a staff of more than 130, with 120 full-time teachers, including more than 20 full and associate professors, more 70 lecturers and a number of experienced overseas scholars. More than 90% of total staff members have doctor’s or master’s degrees.
The five departments in the school (the English Education Department, the 1st and 2nd Integrated English departments, the Content-based English department and the English Listening and Speaking department) take charge of educating English education majors and offering English courses for non-English majors in the university. The newly established College English Learning Support Center is ready to assist students in their autonomous learning at any time. The School also sets up five research centers to carry out academic studies on College English, Content-based English, Teacher Development, Comparative Education and Educational Linguistics respectively. By applying for the master programs in Curriculum & Instruction, Principles of Education and Comparative Education, the faculty is speeding up its discipline construction and bringing up its own group of talented people with great potential abilities to incorporate different subjects. The same progress is seen in its social service sector due to the establishment of English Teacher Training Center and Liaison Department. With quite a few off-campus teaching and researching practice bases built up recently, the faculty is opening up new opportunities to cooperate with its counterparts both home and abroad. SEE’s political work, students management, faculty administration and labor union activities also play a key role in building up the culture of the school.
A harmonious mechanism is taking shape in the school, which advocates “imbuing people with lofty ideals, attracting people with promising cause, motivating people with rapid development, inspiring people with persistent caring, retaining people with generous returns, urging people with scientific policies”. The faculty-oriented school has become a close community for teachers to work and for students to study.
Students majoring in English Education shall pass TEM 4 and TEM 8 for graduation. Through learning English language and education theories, along with teaching practice, they will develop all-around capacities on English teaching and research in educational institutions, English training and management in enterprises. Occupation Orientation: universities, high schools, R&D institutions, foreign-related enterprises and government institutions, managerial departments of government agencies, customs, foreign affairs departments and corporations.
Career orientations: English teacher, English trainer, researcher, interpreter, translator or other positions related to English language and culture in institutions and enterprises of education, foreign affairs, foreign trade, the news and publishing industry, broadcasting, film and television industry, tourism, public relations, and government agencies. English Education major graduates will grow into highly qualified talents working as teachers, trainers, translators and managers in education, foreign affairs, trade and commerce, culture, media, tourism, and research sections Major courses consist of two modules:
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) has a total area of 1.44 km2, is situated in the city of Guangzhou with three campuses. The North Campus lies to the north of the Baiyun Mountain, and the Dalang Campus is not far away. The new campus, namely the South Campus is in Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center or literally Guangzhou University Town according to the Chinese name.
GDUFS is managed by about 900 staff. This includes 333 full or associate professors and 62 lecturers from other countries. The total student population is about 20,000 of which 16,000 are undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Faculty of English Language and Culture (FELC)
School of International Trade & Economics (SITE)
School of English for International Business (SEIB)
Faculty of Chinese Language and Culture
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