Editor’s note:
The year 2022 marks 70 years since the inception of International Education at Peking University in New China. The history can be traced back to 1952 when 14 international students came to PKU through the “Special Chinese Language Course for Exchange Students in Eastern Europe”. Up till today, PKU has been continuously enhancing its professional impact and expanding its global reach, promoting internationalization in China’s tertiary education. More than 1.1 million international students have hailed from 195 countries to study on the Yanyuan campus, enrolling in a wide range of programs. By promoting cultural diplomacy, exchanges between students of different nationalities facilitate cross-cultural interactions with hopes of building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind.

To mark this special occasion, the Office of International Relations and PKU News jointly publish the special column “70 years of PKU International Students” to put the spotlight on the history and achievements of International Education at PKU, and to craft a shared future for China and the world.

In 1998, at the centennial anniversary celebration of Peking University, former President Jiang Zemin stated that " in order to realize modernization, China would need to have several first-class universities which match up to the most advanced levels in the world." Since then, international education at Peking University has entered a brand-new era. 

1998-2008: The Age of Improvement
As the 21st century began, Peking University implemented the policy of "expanding the scale and improving the management of international students” to achieve its aim of becoming a world first-class university. During this period, the number of international students grew at an average rate of 8% annually. The quality of education and the management of international students were steadily improving, and a world-class university was taking shape. 

 

PKU international student intake across the years, including degree and non-degree students (Source: according to data in archives)

In 1998, China Annual Conference for International Education was held, which outlined the policies of "implementing reforms, improving management, and ensuring education quality”. Former Premier Zhou Enlai's goals were restated – universities should have strict requirements for international students’ academic performance and provide them with necessary help; Politically, no opinion should be enforced upon international students. In 2000, the National Conference on Foreign Affairs in Education also emphasized creating a better social environment for international students to live and study. 
Peking University has also made continuous improvements to its undergraduate education for international students. In 1997, Peking University introduced a new college entrance exam system for international undergraduate students. Today, the system has become increasingly comprehensive in terms of application procedure and evaluation standards. In 2003, Peking University and Waseda University (Japan) signed an agreement to introduce a double degree program collaboratively. In 2005, the program was officially launched, and both universities started sending students to study in each other’s schools. 

 PKU international students intake from 2000 to 2010

 

PKU School Opening Ceremony for International Students in 1999

With regards to postgraduate education for international students, PKU has begun to offer Master’s programs in subjects such as Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), International Relations (MIR), and Chinese Law (LLM), all taught in English. In 2007, the selection process and criteria for international postgraduate students changed from a national standardized exam to an “Apply-Assessment” system used internationally. In addition, as entrusted by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Commerce, PKU undertook numerous scholarship programs, such as the Singapore-China Premier Scholarship Programme and the International Master of Public Administration for China's Development. PKU also collaborated with renowned foreign universities to launch several joint or double degree programs, including Peking University-LSE International Relations Double Master, and Georgia Tech, Emory & Peking University Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. Program. 

 

Moroccan International Student (Fifth from the right) attending Ph.D. Thesis Defence

Opening Ceremony for the first batch of students of the Master Program in Public Policy for Leaders in Developing Countries in October 2008

In 2000, Peking University pioneered the Pre-University Program (PUP) for international students, which prepared international students who intend to pursue an education in PKU to be able to meet the entry requirements. As of today, 2,416 international students from 66 countries from 6 continents have graduated from PUP, among which, 1,299 outstanding students were enrolled in 21 departments at PKU. The PUP also actively seeks international cooperation. For instance, PKU and Kyung Hee University (Korea) jointly launched the PKU-Kyung Hee University Pre-University Program. 

 

Former PKU President Xu Zhihong inscribed well wishes for the launch of the PKU-Kyung Hee University Pre-University Program

In 1998, PKU Dean’s Office decided to establish the Academic Excellence Award for Self-funded International Students. This was the first step to forming a multi-level and full-coverage scholarship system for international students.

People’s Daily news report on PKU’s Scholarship for self-funded international students on 2 July 1999

During this period, PKU’s short-term study programs for international students strived to provide a world-class experience as well. Numerous exchange programs with many world-renowned universities such as Oxford University, Yale University, Cornell University, Columbia University, London School of Economics and Political Science, and Waseda University were launched. In 2008, nearly 3,000 short-term international students came to study at PKU.

Group photo from the Opening of the Stanford Program in Beijing in September 2004

Group photo of Oxford Students in PKU in 2008

By 2008, Peking University has initiated exchange programs with nearly 260 universities around the world. For example, nearly 100 students from Yale University came to study at PKU through the PKU-Yale Joint Undergraduate Program.

 

Students under the PKU-Yale Joint Undergraduate Program engage in discussions in their dormitories

In 2001, Peking University planned to build a multi-functional residential area, Zhongguan Xinyuan Global Village, to improve the accommodation conditions for international students and experts. In July 2009, the construction of the International Student Apartment Block 6 was completed, and the first group of international students arrived in September. Currently, Zhongguan Xinyuan Global Village can accommodate more than 2300 international students.

 

Zhongguan Xinyuan Global Village

In January 2001, PKU Shenzhen Graduate School was established. The Graduate School enrolled the first batch of international students in 2008 and has since educated 656 full-time international students from more than 90 countries, mainly focusing on subjects such as economics, finance, management and law. These students are all active in the financial and legal industries after graduation.

 

PKU Shenzhen Graduate School international students attend Freshman Orientation

In April 2000, the former Beijing Medical University merged with PKU and was officially renamed Peking University Health Science Center in May. As of today, the Center has trained nearly 3,000 international students from 98 countries. It has established a comprehensive system of education from pre-university to post-doctorate for international students in China.

 

Group photo of PKU Health Science Center International Students

 Former Head of Health Science Center Han Qide together with an international student during the Graduation Ceremony in July 2006

PKU has always encouraged international students to integrate into its rich and colorful campus life and develop a sense of belonging. International students have established and actively participated in several student associations. This contributed to the diversity of the student body and activity.

 

International students attending Wushu Training in the 80s

 

New Soccer Team of International Students in the 90s

In 2004, PKU held the first-ever International Cultural Festival for international students. Over the past 18 years, the festival has attracted countless participants such as foreign ambassadors, as well as students and teachers from other universities in Beijing. The festival has played an important role in promoting cultural exchanges and helped PKU to take a step further toward becoming an international campus.

African Students performing African Drums at the Opening Ceremony of the 13th PKU International Culture Festival in 2016

On 3 May 2008, PKU’s 110th anniversary, then President Hu Jintao paid a visit to the campus and addressed the international students with affectionate words, "International students are the bridges between people of different countries. I hope international students and Chinese students can learn from each other, make efforts to promote friendliness between different societies, and contribute to world peace."
PKU also compiled a series of bibliography on international exchange named Falling Snow among the Red Buildings –International Alumni’s Reminisce about Peking University (《红楼飞雪——海外校友情忆北大》), which contained many touching articles written by international alumni recalling their study experience in PKU. This series strengthened the emotional ties between international alumni and PKU, and they also served as an important historical record of international education at PKU from 1947 to 2008.

Falling Snow among the Red Buildings –International Alumni’s Reminisce about Peking University 

2008-2012: striving for success
During this period, China rejoiced in hosting the 2008 Olympic Games and celebrated the 60th anniversary of the PRC. At this meaningful juncture, New China was also about to commemorate the 60th anniversary of welcoming international students to China. PKU has accomplished many significant milestones in improving the management and education of international students.
In October 2009, 11 international students of PKU participated in the parade for the 60th anniversary of the PRC. During the “One World” Parade, they marched across Tiananmen Square with Chinese flags in their hands, beaming and expressing good wishes.

International Students participating in the “One World” Parade

 

International Students beaming during the Parade

In May 2010, then Premier Wen Jiabao came to PKU to celebrate the May Fourth Youth Day. In September, the 60th anniversary of international student education in New China was held at PKU. Around 40 international students performed a large-scale musical show named “Reunion after 20 years” to commemorate this significant milestone, demonstrating the liveliness and youthfulness of PKU international students.

 

“Reunion after 20 years” Performance

Also to commemorate the 60th anniversary of international student education, PKU compiled a series of books on international education titled Flowing Clouds in Yanyuan – International Students from Peking University on the World Stage (《燕园流云——世界舞台上的北大外国留学生》). The books detailed the education experiences of PKU international students in different periods since the 1950s.

 

Flowing Clouds in Yanyuan – International Students from Peking University on the World Stage

In 2010, the Outline of Medium and Long Term Planning of National Education Reform and Development (2010-2020) was introduced, which pointed out that "the scale of international students should be further expanded. The number of Chinese government scholarships should be increased, with the focus to support students from developing countries. Pre-university education should be further improved, and the number of disciplines taught in foreign languages in higher education institutions should be increased. " 
In September 2010, the National Conference on Foreign Affairs in Education was held, and the Study in China Plan (《留学中国计划》) was officially released to promote education for international students in China. This plan was a blueprint to enhance the quality of education for international students, striving to establish a recognized academic curriculum and develop more globalized individuals who understand China. Under this national policy, PKU also formulated the Study in Peking University Plan (《留学北大计划》), aiming to "improve the quality of education, expand the scale of international students, and achieve strategic mutually beneficial cooperation and innovation".

 

Launch of Study in China Plan in September 2010

In 2009, Peking University deployed its first team of professors to Southeast Asia to introduce admission policies of PKU to students. In 2012, candidates from the International Baccalaureate (IB) program can directly attend admissions interviews at PKU. International students can also apply for admissions with test scores of IB, A-level, SAT, ACT, and other eligible international examinations.

A team of PKU professors at a high school in Malaysia to promote PKU in 2019

During this period, the postgraduate education of international students has also made great progress. More English-taught programs have been developed that presented the unique features of different faculties, such as the double master’s degree program jointly organized by PKU School of Government and Management with the London University of Economics and Political Science and the University of Wellington separately. The program has widely attracted many outstanding students from Europe and the United States, who contributed to a more diversified student population. 

PKU-VUW Double Master Degree Program in Public Policy Graduation Ceremony

 PKU-LSE Double Master’s Degree Students attending a conference

In 2012, PKU Scholarship for International Students was established, with an annual budget of 1 million RMB, with hopes of encouraging more outstanding international students to study at the university. By 2012, nearly one-third of international students have received various scholarships awarded by the Chinese government, Beijing Government or PKU.
In 2011, PKU focused on developing the online international student platform. The completed system combines multiple features such as online application, orientation, registration, and course enrolment, which effectively improved the efficiency and practicality of data management. The same enhancements were made to the English version of the online portal, which boosted the accessibility of the information for potential international students.

 

PKU Online International Student Platform first launched in 2011

English Version of the International Students Division Website updated in 2011

In 2010, PKU implemented the international student teacher guidance system to provide international students with detailed guidance on academics, cultural and sports activities, legal safety, etc. In addition, in order to help international students integrate into the campus culture, PKU recruited Chinese student volunteers to carry out the Tutor Program For International Students (TPIS). The program has encouraged mutual learning between Chinese and international students on campus.

 

Brochure of TPIS

 

Chinese and International Students having fun together at a New Year Dinner Party in December 2007

Regarding short-term international student training, PKU launched the Peking University-LSE Summer School and the PKU Summer School International program in 2005 and 2009 respectively, with as many as 1,000 students participating each year. These two summer schools, together with the Chinese Language Summer School which started in the 1980s, have become the core components of the university's short-term education options for international students. 

 

PKU-LSE Summer School

 

PKU International Summer School

 PKU Chinese Language Summer School

In 2012, PKU introduced the "Foreign Language Course Program for Undergraduates", which was a series of undergraduate courses conducted in foreign languages, especially in English. Other than that, PKU started to gradually offer more courses taught in English. PKU officially launched the "On China" series in 2015, which later evolved into "Global Classroom" in 2021.

On China Series Course Booklet

Exchange Students visiting the Temple of Heaven in Beijing

Exchange Students participating in the Beijing Opera Facial Masks Drawing Activity

 Global Open Courses Poster

After years of efforts made to reconnect alumni, connections within the international alumni community were strengthened during this period. In July 2010, under the active promotion of many international alumni such as Jaime A. FlorCruz, Filipino CNN’s Beijing Bureau Chief and correspondent, Viorel Isticioaia-Budura, Romanian Ambassador, his wife Tatiana Isticioaia Budura, and Carrington Ca, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau in Beijing, the PKU International Alumni Association was officially established. The association promoted the interaction and communication between PKU and its international alumni worldwide. 

 

Inauguration Ceremony of the PKU International Alumni Association

During this period, PKU has cultivated a group of diversified and innovative international talents. Philip Ong Chong Hang, former First Secretary of the Singapore Embassy in China, Chamseddine El Hajraoui, head of the Moroccan Center of Chinese Studies, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Princess Royal of Thailand who has been committed to promoting Sino-Thai relations, and Tsutomu Takamura, member of the House of Representatives of the Democratic Party of Japan were all outstanding international alumni who studied in PKU during this period.

 

Princess Royal of Thailand Maha Chakri Sirindhorn receiving her PKU Doctoral Degree

Written by: Zhou Zixuan 
Edited by: Shi Xinyao; Meng Bin
Source: PKU News (Chinese)