MISSION TO CHINA FOR UNIVERSITIES AND INSTITUTES OF
JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION
FROM INDIA MONDAY, OCTOBER, 29–SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2007
(BEIJING, SHENYANG AND SHANGHAI)

Introduction

India China Alliance Centre organised the 1st Mission to China for Universities and Institutes of Journalism and Mass Communication from India.This Mission (29 October - 4 November, 2007) was led by Prof. Myron J. Pereira, Director, Xavier Institute of Communications, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. The 19 member delegation included three Vice Chancellors visited Beijing, Shenyang and Shanghai. The Mission was officially hosted by the Shenyang Education Bureau, Liaoning Province, The People’s Republic of China.

China’s economic success over the last two decades has attracted world’s attention and has been the subject of many an article in the international media. Reactions to China’s performance have varied from astonishment to disbelief. In India, some view China as a manufacturing giant that would soon conquer India’s domestic market. Others are dismissive of China’s success saying that it is based on investment and marginal pricing, not sustainable factors in the long term. The fact, however, remains that China is the fastest growing economy in the World. The fact also remains that India is the second fastest growing economy in the World.

Against this backdrop, the week long programme offered excellent opportunities for the mission members to see what makes the Chinese tick, draw parallels with our own style of functioning and return enriched with learnings.

The primary objective of the mission was to familiarise itself with the current scenario in China specially in the field of Journalism, Media, Design and Communication. The visit also provided an opportunity to explore collaborative arrangements with top of the line Chinese Universities covering student and faculty exchange, joint research and joint programmes.

The 19 Member Mission visited the prestigious Communication University of China and the Tsinghua University in Beijing. In Shenyang, the mission got an opportunity to interact  with the Shenyang Education Bureau as also visited two outstanding Educational Institutions—School of Mass Communication,Shenyang Normal University and the College of Radio, Film and Television, Liaoning University. In Shanghai, the mission visited and interacting with two prestigious Educational Institutions-School of Journalism, Fudan University  and the School of Media and Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. All the Universities and Institutes signed a Letter of  Intent with the School of Media and Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. A similar Letter of Intent is likely to be signed with the School of  Journalism, Fudan University in the near future.

A visit to The Great Wall of China, Tian An Men Square and a photo opportunity outside the Forbidden City in Beijing, an  International Performance in Shenyang, River Cruise in Shanghai and a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, Pudong T V Tower and Shanghai Museum  were the other attractions. There were also a plenty of opportunities to shop in all the three cities.