The discipline of Foreign Language and Literature at Sichuan International Studies University ranks sixth, sharing the same place with Tsinghua University and Fudan university, and standing first among universities in Western China, according to the information released by China Academic Degree & Graduate Education Development Center(CDGDC) on January 29, 2013
CDGDC has conducted three rounds of nationwide discipline ranking since 2012. The third round was conducted among 95 first-class disciplines (excluding Military Science) and 4235 second-class disciplines from 391 institutions, an increase of 79% over the previous one. Among the 391 institutions, 92 are institutions of higher education, a two-fold increase, including 30 universities with the first-class discipline of Foreign Language and Literature authorized to confer PhD degrees and a number of universities with second-class disciplines authorized to confer PhD and Master’s degrees.
The third round ranking follows an elaborate evaluation index system, covering multi-dimensions with tailored criteria, including student evaluation, paper appraisal, and scientific research evaluation. Over 500 experts were invited to serve as evaluator, their emphasis laying on quality, knowledge transfer, application in society and professional ethics. In terms of paper appraisal, the number of SCI articles is not the only concern, whereas times that a publication has been cited and the number of high quality papers will also be evaluated, together with the sample check on doctoral dissertations. Student evaluation involves both education in school and their employment situation upon graduation. Feedback from employers were collected and reviewed.
CDGDC conducts the Discipline Ranking in order to attain the following three objectives:
l to improve postgraduate education quality, maximize the educational structure, strengthen its features and facilitate collaborative innovation;
l help universities better understand the status quo, strength and weakness of a specific discipline;
l provide objective information for students to choose an desired university or discipline during their university application and for job hunters as well.
Text: Discipline office