Eight Charles Sturt University (CSU) commerce students will join the growing number of foreigners studying in China, with each to spend the coming semester in the Asian country under the Australian University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific program (UMAP).

The students will attend Tianjin University of Commerce, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Yangzhou University, Tianjin University of Commerce and Shanghai Finance College where each will undertake four business Chinese subjects, including study of Mandarin and Chinese culture. 

A component of their overseas studies will examine differences between Chinese and Western culture and activities in accounting, economics, management and marketing.

Two students from Bathurst, the Wagga Wagga campuses as well as Albury-Wodonga will receive $5 000 under the scholarship program. They are amongst more than 410 000 foreign students who have studied in China over the past 10 years, according to the Chinese Education Ministry.

Introduced in 1993, the UMAP program aims to promote mutual recognition of educational qualifications in Australia and the Asia Pacific region; increase cooperation between higher education institutions in those regions, including development of higher education programs; and to increase the number of Australian graduates with cultural language and professional experience.

Bachelor of Business (Accounting) student Karyn Payne, who will live on campus at the Shanghai Finance College, said being selected to be a part of the UMAP program would greatly enhance her job prospects at graduation – nationally and internationally.

“When I start working I would like to work for an international company; and with my studies in China I believe I will be able to better qualify myself,” she said.

“And it will allow me to break through any salary ceilings that may exist should I not have international experience.”

The CSU Faculty of Commerce received two UMAP scholarships this year, with another six students sponsored directly by the University.

The students will leave for China next month and return to CSU in July.