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Meeting on The Construction of First-class Discipline and Summary of the Semester Held by the Department of Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs Management


On 20th June, a meeting on the Promotion of the Construction of First-class Discipline and A Summary of the Semester was held by the Department of Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs Management in Room 4011 at the Shahe campus of China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU). The meeting was presided over by Tian Liying, secretary of the CPC General Branch of the Department of Diplomacy and attended by all faculty of the department.

 

During the meeting, Secretary Tian Liying gave a summary of the whole semester. According to Secretary Tian, under the guidance of CFAU leaders, the Department of Diplomacy has overcome many obstacles, including inadequate staff. Moreover, thanks to the concerted efforts of all our faculty members, we have fulfilled our duties concerning Party-related affairs, teaching, scientific research, administration and student management. More specifically, our department held 21 high-level academic exchanges, backed 12 teachers in exchanges abroad and 18 at home. Additionally, we have made a transformation in enrollment, admitted the first three students from other majors, added new staff with the support of the Department Office, accomplished the 2018 selection organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, launched the reform of the virtual teaching and research section and laboratory and hosted the first commencement ceremony for our undergraduates. Our efforts have proved rewarding. In this semester, our department was awarded the honorary title of National Huang Danian-Style Faculty among Colleges and Universities and our projects won approval from the National Social Sciences Fund to be set up as key projects, general projects as well as youth projects respectively. During the meeting, heads of the three projects elaborated on the application and construction of their projects supported by the National Social Sciences Fund.

 

Entrusted by Associate Professor Ren Yuanzhe, head of the key project entitled Research on the New Trend of South China Sea Issue and China’s Coping Strategies from a Perspective of Indo-Pacific Strategy, Mr. Zhao Luoxi shared his experience of project application. According to their team members, the questions of topic selection, argumentation and research foundation should be regarded as significant. To be specific, in selecting a topic, it is necessary to determine a research direction in line with the discipline guide and then find the focus in accordance with your own strengths. It is worth noting that the originality, appeal and feasibility of the research shouldn’t be ignored. As for argumentation, given the importance of structure, special emphasis should be placed on the completeness and logic of argumentation as well as the relevance and advancement of bibliography. In particular, the research at an earlier stage is essential since its findings can highlight the relevance and representativeness of the research to some extent while also reflecting its continuity, depth and breadth, making it possible to judge the progress of the research.          

 

Mr. Li Qianyu gave an introduction to the application of the project entitled Research on China’s United Front Policy for Asian and African Countries during the Cold War, which has won approval from the National Social Sciences Fund to be set up as a general project. He made a summary from the following five aspects. To begin with, the research findings at the earlier stage lay a solid foundation for the success of the application. Thus, it is advisable to focus on topics that arouse interest and have a certain research foundation. Secondly, it is important for a researcher to scan the discipline guide in search of a suitable and distinctive research field. Thirdly, frequent exchanges with the academic circle and the establishment of your own reputation are also indispensable. Fourthly, it’s critical to learn from those experienced teachers, the format specification included. Fifthly, a proper academic view should be fostered. Namely, the application ought to be motivated by a longing for pressing ahead with research into uncharted seas rather than utilitarian purposes. 

 

The project guided by Mr. Fan Chao centering on Research on New China's Peripheral Security Strategy and Sino-US Relations (1977-1989) has won approval from the National Social Sciences Fund to be set up as a youth project. According to Mr. Fan’s introduction, there are three key factors. First of all, given the intense competition and age limits on the application for such a youth project, it is of great significance to figure out the focus of preliminary results when making a choice between international studies and basic studies so as to determine the research field. Secondly, drawing on experience from previous successful practices is also required. Thirdly, a definite format and a detailed research plan are equally important.

 

Additionally, some arrangements were also made during the meeting, such as the departure of 2018’s graduates, the welcoming ceremony for newcomers, scientific research and teaching, and administrative affairs and management of overseas students in the next semester. This meeting provided a platform for our faculty to share their observations on the construction of first-class discipline in our department and teaching and scientific research in a new semester, thus laying a foundation for our greater advancement.    

scientific research in a new semester, thus laying a foundation for our greater advancement.