Ed. ministry releases list of Sino-foreign joint universities

China's Ministry of Education issued a list of more than 400 Sino-foreign joint educational institutes over undergraduate level that have been approved by Chinese law on July 19, according to Beijing News' report.

It was the first time that ministry release such information since the State Council published rules of Sino-foreign joint educational institutes in 2004, and ministry also reminded Chinese students of six important criteria when selecting one of the joint institutes for education. At the same time, the ministry issued a list of more than 10,000 formal overseas universities in 33 countries.

How to select a joint educational institute:

First, students must check whether the institute has legal approval or not, especially the legal files from examining authorities. Institutes without any above permission are not Sino-foreign joint educational institutes.

Second, students should inquire about the quality of education and practical schooling situation, such as entrance requirements, ranks of teachers, curriculum provision, environment and administration.

Third, students should make sure that all of the features are as advertised. This includes the location, charging programs and expenses standards, number of enrollment and others.

Fourth, students need to check its enrollment standards, which should not be lower than the standards in the foreign country that the educational institute belongs to.

Fifth, students should pay attention to the enrollment plan, which should be put into the state's enrollment plan of higher education.

Sixth, students should examine the evaluation and certification of the Sino-foreign joint educational institutes.

Seven categories of certifications can not be authenticated in China

1. Course-completion certificates from foreign language training or other informal courses, such as short-term additional studies;

2. Certificates of research experience for additional studying and visiting scholars and certificates for postdoctoral research experience;

3. Preparatory education certificates from overseas universities and higher education institutes;

4. Certificates from non-higher education universities and institutes, honorary diplomas and honorary titles;

5. Certificates and diplomas of foreign universities from domestic education institutes that are nor approved by China's educational administrations;

6. Certificates and diplomas gained through correspondence courses, remote education and other non-contact education;

7. Any kinds of overseas certificates for vocational skills and professional qualifications.

By Wang Hanlu, People's Daily Online