On May 9, 2014, “The First High-Level Seminar on theDevelopment of Japanese Programs among Private Technical & VocationalInstitutions of Learning in Shanghai” was convened in SICFL, the theme of whichwas to establish closer links among tertiary schools of the same kind andexplore the appropriate approach to facilitate the growth of Japanese Programsunder the current circumstances. This seminar was sponsored by China JapaneseTeaching & Research Association, Shanghai Branch and hosted by SICFL.Present at the seminar were Professor Mao Wenwei from Shanghai InternationalStudies University, Professor Zhang Hongchen from Shanghai Jianqiao Universityand twenty more teachers from other tertiary schools in Shanghai. The seminarwas chaired by Mr. Zhang Mingming, Dean of the Department of Japanese, SICFL.

ProfessorZhu Shichang, Vice President of SICFL made the welcoming remarks to theparticipants. He briefed the participants on the reform and development ofteaching and research in SICFL and its plan for further development, hopingthat this seminar will become an important event to further promote thedevelopment of Japanese Program in SICFL. Professor Mao Wenwei addressed theissue of how to achieve the further development of Japanese Program under thecurrent circumstances and introduced the general situation of the developmentof Japanese Programs in tertiary schools and status-quo of learning Japanese inChina. Nine participants also spoke at the seminar from different perspective,contributing their own viewpoints to the sustainable development of JapaneseProgram in different schools.

Duringthe tea break, Mr. Zhang Mingming showed the guests round “Sino-Korean Culture & Communication Historical Material Gallery”, Japanese PracticalTraining Lab, Fu Lei’s Life Gallery” on the campus. At the Closing Ceremony of “TheFirst High-Level Seminar on the Development of Japanese Programs among PrivateTechnical & Vocational Institutions of Learning in Shanghai”, DirectorsZhang Hongchen, Deputy Director Wu Shulain and Zhang Mingming issuedCertificates of Honor to the Speakers and the seminar was concluded with warmapplause from among the participants. (Contributed by the Department ofJapanese)