Abstract
Recent years have witnessed China’s great efforts in promoting student core competencies with the purpose of raising the quality of university graduates. To remain competitive in the global economy, the education system in China is expected to supply highly qualified and highly talented university graduates to the labor market. The present study is designed to investigate university student development of core competencies in China. The purpose of this study is to provide a basic profile of where university students are standing in the development of core competencies. Findings of the research are discussed. Information and insights gleaned through this study are helpful in developing strategies in cultivating university student core competencies to meet challenges of 21st century.
Highlights
In order to function successfully as a global citizen in the 21st century, what characteristics should learners develop? The answer to this question has been the focus of education reforms in various countries. Wilson, Miles, Baker and Schoenberger (2000, p. 5) pointed out: “Every new generation of college leaders faces the same tough question: what is the common core of knowledge and skills that should be the hallmark of an educated person?”Recent years have witnessed China’s great efforts in promoting student core competencies with the purpose of raising the quality of university graduates
The purpose of this study is to provide a basic profile of where university students are standing in the development of core competencies
Information and insights gleaned through this study are helpful in developing strategies in cultivating university student core competencies to meet challenges of 21st century
Summary
In order to function successfully as a global citizen in the 21st century, what characteristics (e.g. knowledge, abilities, and attitudes) should learners develop? The answer to this question has been the focus of education reforms in various countries. Wilson, Miles, Baker and Schoenberger (2000, p. 5) pointed out: “Every new generation of college leaders faces the same tough question: what is the common core of knowledge and skills that should be the hallmark of an educated person?”Recent years have witnessed China’s great efforts in promoting student core competencies with the purpose of raising the quality of university graduates. As an essential player in the global economy, China faces great challenges. Renowned as the world factory, China’s huge labor population has made enormous contribution to its rapid economic development. It is expected that the working-age population will continue to drop at a speed of 7.6 million each year from 2030 to 2050 (Wu, 2016). To enhance its competitiveness in the global economy, China must switch its profit strategy, shifting from taking advantage of its labor dividend to talent dividend. China has been investing heavily in science and technology research, setting the country on its way to transform from a world factory into a global innovation hub. The education system in China is expected to supply highly qualified and highly talented graduates to the labor market, which has been the focus of its education reform. “Reform in the education system should aim to accumulate overall human capital by improving the quality of education at all levels” (Cai, 2019, p.1)
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