On December 3, 2024, the Periodic Qualification Assessment Meeting for the Master's Degree Authorization Points in Foreign Language and Literature and Translation was held in the First Conference Room of Sci-Ed Building A, Hefei University of Technology (HFUT). Wu Huaqing, Member of the Standing Committee of the University's Party Committee and Vice President, attended the meeting and delivered a speech.
On behalf of HFUT, Wu Huaqing extended a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to the assessment experts for their presence, and briefly introduced the development of Hefei University of Technology as along with the current state of the discipline construction situation in the School of Foreign Studies. Wu articulated his aspiration that the experts would offer constructive recommendations for the establishment of the two master's degree programs, with the objective of enhancing the efficacy of discipline construction and talent cultivation in the School of Foreign Studies of the university.
The assessment meeting was presided over by Tang Jun, Principal of the School of Foreign Studies. Vice Principals Xiao Wei and Li Kangxi reported on the progress and development plans for the master's degree authorization points in the first-level discipline of Foreign Language and Literature and Translation, covering multiple dimensions, including but not limited to: training objectives and standards, basic conditions, talent cultivation, and service contributions. After hearing the reports, the expert panel conducted a comprehensive and in-depth evaluation of the degree authorization points through various forms including on-site inquiries, document reviews, and teacher-student forums. Finally, the expert group formulated their evaluation opinions and provided feedback.
The expert panel concluded that the points authorized for the university's Foreign Language and Literature and Translation master's degree program exhibited clearly defined training objectives, reasonable standards, diversified faculty staffing, and significant achievements in talent cultivation. The panel unanimously agreed to pass the periodic qualification assessment. Concurrently, the expert panel identified certain issues and proffered specific recommendations for enhancement, including the School's distinctive disciplinary development, curriculum system optimization, international educational level, and service capacity to the nation.
The expert panel responsible for conducting the disciplinary assessment of the Foreign Language and Literature and Translation programs comprises: Peng Qinglong, Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and a member of the 8th Academic Degree Evaluation Committee of the State Council of China; Yang Jincai, Professor at Nanjing University, also a member of the aforementioned committee; Tao Youlan, Professor at Fudan University and a member of the China National Committee for Graduate Education of Translation and Interpreting; Professor Wang Yukuo, former Principal of the School of Foreign Studies at Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications; Professor Zhan Quanwang, Dean of the School of Foreign Studies at Anhui University; Professor Cai Jing, Vice Dean of the School of Foreign Studies at Anhui Normal University; and Chen Fangfang, Deputy Senior Editor at Anhui Science and Technology Press. This expert panel conducted a thorough and rigorous assessment of both disciplines.
Xu Xiaohong, Deputy Director of the Graduate School's Academic Development Office at HFUT, relevant responsible persons from the School of Foreign Studies, directors of various departments (centers), backbone teachers of degree programs, and representatives of graduate students attended the meeting.
This assessment is not only a comprehensive review of the past work conducted in the Foreign Language and Literature program and the Translation program at the School of Foreign Studies, but also provides benchmarking guidance for their future development.
Based on the invaluable suggestions provided by the experts, the School of Foreign Studies will convene a symposium to thoroughly implement the recommendations and continue to strengthen the refinement of its disciplinary characteristics and directions. The School of Foreign Studies will focus on empowering the teaching staff and developing distinctive curricula through AI, while further refining the long-term mechanisms for talent cultivation and social services. The School of Foreign Studies is committed to establishing high-level professional degree programs with international competitiveness and to cultivating more highly skilled and advanced foreign language talents for the country and society.