Faculty Q&A: Zhang Li says intercultural communication in GBJ program is "very good for students"

As part of our series of question-and-answer sessions with Global Business Journalism faculty,

Deng Yijing, Gao Xianyue, Li Yunruo and Andres Ospina interviewed Professor Zhang Li.

Zhang Li: "This project is a brand. If we want to do it well, the [high] quality of students needs to be guaranteed."

THUMBNAIL PROFILE

Name of professor: Zhang, Li

Academic title(s): Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University

GBJ course: Intercultural Communication

Educational background: Ph.D. in International Communication from the University of Leeds; Fellow of Higher Education Academy, UK.

International training, experience and expertise: Dr. Li Zhang holds a Ph.D. in International Communication from the University of Leeds and is Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK. Before joining Tsinghua, she held a permanent academic position at the University of East Anglia, UK, and supervised Ph.D. students toward completion. She is the author of News Media and EU-China Relations (Palgrave Macmillan 2011), and she has published in publications including JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, Journal of Contemporary China, Asia Europe Journal, and Journal of International Communication.

Q&A

Q: What are the qualities Tsinghua has to offer to international students who wish to get a master’s degree in Global Business Journalism?

A: Students can learn knowledge and skills related to global financial news coverage and writing. At the same time, they can improve their Chinese language skills and strengthen their understanding of Tsinghua University and China.

Q: Why should an international journalism student come to China to study global journalism?

A: International students want to study in English. Tsinghua University is a good platform, and GBJ is an English program. Students who can't speak Chinese can also study this program.

Q. What is most special or unique about the Global Business Journalism program?

A：I don't know what other programs like this are in China.

Q: How is the multicultural experience beneficial to international and Chinese students?

A: Multicultural experience is very good for students, both international students and Chinese students. Students will become more tolerant and have a broader vision.

Q: What can international students learn by immersing themselves in Beijing and China?

A: International students can have a better understanding of Beijing and China. They are the ones who can tell the China story well, if they want to.

Q: Do you have any other thoughts about the GBJ program?

A: This project is a brand. If we want to do it well, the [high] quality of students needs to be guaranteed.