The university leadership finally backed down and reversed their decision to axe the Chinese Section. We forced them to acknowledge that a world-class institution cannot function by cutting off global pathways for its students. Stay vigilant because we will hold them to this commitment for as long as it takes.
December 11, 2016
Final supporters
This petition has been drawn up by Students4Chinese to make the public aware of the possible closure of the Chinese Section of the Modern Foreign Languages Department. With the closure of the Chinese Section the legitimacy of students’ degrees who study and have studied Chinese at Stellenbosch University will be brought into question. The closing of the Chinese section goes against the University’s values of innovation and being future focused. Stellenbosch will more than likely not be able to call itself a “world-class institution," which is something we do not wish to see happen.
The Current situation of the Chinese Section:
There is currently a lack of funding for the Section, despite constant advocacy to increase funding for the section. If there is no increase in funding this could result in the closure of the Chinese Section in the Modern Foreign Languages Department.
Why the Chinese Section should stay open:
1. Chinese is fundamental to International Relations and students whom wish to pursue a career within the field of diplomacy or international trade.
2. The closure of the Chinese Section may have implications for the China South-Africa relationship and will reduce opportunities for South African students to study abroad.
3. Chinese has been said by government to be implemented in the basic education system within South Africa. By closing the Chinese section, there is not only a discrepancy between the basic education syllabus and the Stellenbosch University syllabus; but there will also be a decrease in the amount of potential Chinese educators within the South African market.
The Way forward:
A memorandum will be sent to the Rector’s Management Team (RMT) stipulating the demand to maintain the Chinese section. The memorandum will consist of concrete research as to why the Chinese Section should remain and why the presence of the Chinese Section is beneficial to the University. Also included in the memorandum is the online petition signatures and it’s here that we need the greater public's support.With the signatures given we will be able to show the RMT that there is support for the Chinese Section from not only students and academics but also from individuals who have a vested interest in Chinese.
If anyone wishes to assist the Chinese Section through means of funding or simply wishes to know how they could assist us please contact: [email protected]
To see the progression of our cause please go to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Students4Chinese-33517673...
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
September 27, 2016
Reached 100 supporters
September 26, 2016
September 24, 2016
Stellenbosch University is trying to sweep this closure under the rug but our momentum is making that impossible. We need to hit five hundred signatures right now to prove that the administration cannot ignore the future of our degrees. Keep the pressure on them until they stop this reckless plan.
121 Comments
With South Africa and China being strategic investment partners it makes sense that our academic institutions support language and knowledge development. Key to partnership growth surely starts with being able to understand each other.
Current students in this program deserve to, at least, finish the program before it is taken away - if that is the only option. However, to say that a program is redundant only due to lack of funding sounds like an excuse to save money. Other avenues should be explored before reverting to such an extreme.
Many of us need Chinese for our future careers especially those interested in becoming translators, diplomats etc. Many students chose Stellenbosch University, because of its Chinese Deparment. If it were to be removed, the credibility of our degrees may come into question and may affect our future.
突然取消中文课对我的朋友来说十分不公平，关系到她的学业和学位，而且我能感受到她很认真的在学习。希望能保留中文系。It's not fair to cancel the Chinese classes ,my friend may not get her degree properly .And I can see that how hard she learn this language and how much she pay for her studies .
the only reason I came to Stellenbosch University was because they offered Chinese and I have built my life around it as a subject. If it goes away, so does not only my future disappear along with it, but many other students currently studying it as well as prospective ones who wish to study it.
Good luck!
Just to have that option would be great!!
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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The university leadership finally backed down and reversed their decision to axe the Chinese Section. We forced them to acknowledge that a world-class institution cannot function by cutting off global pathways for its students. Stay vigilant because we will hold them to this commitment for as long as it takes.
December 11, 2016
Final supporters
This petition has been drawn up by Students4Chinese to make the public aware of the possible closure of the Chinese Section of the Modern Foreign Languages Department. With the closure of the Chinese Section the legitimacy of students’ degrees who study and have studied Chinese at Stellenbosch University will be brought into question. The closing of the Chinese section goes against the University’s values of innovation and being future focused. Stellenbosch will more than likely not be able to call itself a “world-class institution," which is something we do not wish to see happen.
The Current situation of the Chinese Section:
There is currently a lack of funding for the Section, despite constant advocacy to increase funding for the section. If there is no increase in funding this could result in the closure of the Chinese Section in the Modern Foreign Languages Department.
Why the Chinese Section should stay open:
1. Chinese is fundamental to International Relations and students whom wish to pursue a career within the field of diplomacy or international trade.
2. The closure of the Chinese Section may have implications for the China South-Africa relationship and will reduce opportunities for South African students to study abroad.
3. Chinese has been said by government to be implemented in the basic education system within South Africa. By closing the Chinese section, there is not only a discrepancy between the basic education syllabus and the Stellenbosch University syllabus; but there will also be a decrease in the amount of potential Chinese educators within the South African market.
The Way forward:
A memorandum will be sent to the Rector’s Management Team (RMT) stipulating the demand to maintain the Chinese section. The memorandum will consist of concrete research as to why the Chinese Section should remain and why the presence of the Chinese Section is beneficial to the University. Also included in the memorandum is the online petition signatures and it’s here that we need the greater public's support.With the signatures given we will be able to show the RMT that there is support for the Chinese Section from not only students and academics but also from individuals who have a vested interest in Chinese.
If anyone wishes to assist the Chinese Section through means of funding or simply wishes to know how they could assist us please contact: [email protected]
To see the progression of our cause please go to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Students4Chinese-33517673...
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
September 27, 2016
Reached 100 supporters
September 26, 2016
September 24, 2016
Stellenbosch University is trying to sweep this closure under the rug but our momentum is making that impossible. We need to hit five hundred signatures right now to prove that the administration cannot ignore the future of our degrees. Keep the pressure on them until they stop this reckless plan.
121 Comments
Learning Mandarin literally opened up a new world for me, and exposed me to a fascinating people and culture from whom I've learned so much. It also helped to shape my world view and strongly influenced how I approach to travel, foreign culture, and life. It would be a shame to deprive others of the opportunity.
With South Africa and China being strategic investment partners it makes sense that our academic institutions support language and knowledge development. Key to partnership growth surely starts with being able to understand each other.
Current students in this program deserve to, at least, finish the program before it is taken away - if that is the only option. However, to say that a program is redundant only due to lack of funding sounds like an excuse to save money. Other avenues should be explored before reverting to such an extreme.
Many of us need Chinese for our future careers especially those interested in becoming translators, diplomats etc. Many students chose Stellenbosch University, because of its Chinese Deparment. If it were to be removed, the credibility of our degrees may come into question and may affect our future.
突然取消中文课对我的朋友来说十分不公平，关系到她的学业和学位，而且我能感受到她很认真的在学习。希望能保留中文系。It's not fair to cancel the Chinese classes ,my friend may not get her degree properly .And I can see that how hard she learn this language and how much she pay for her studies .
the only reason I came to Stellenbosch University was because they offered Chinese and I have built my life around it as a subject. If it goes away, so does not only my future disappear along with it, but many other students currently studying it as well as prospective ones who wish to study it.
Good luck!
Just to have that option would be great!!
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Learning Mandarin literally opened up a new world for me, and exposed me to a fascinating people and culture from whom I've learned so much. It also helped to shape my world view and strongly influenced how I approach to travel, foreign culture, and life. It would be a shame to deprive others of the opportunity.