Chinese Execs, Gov’t Officials Returning to School in Skills Drive

Posted by Reading Time: < 1 minute

Jun. 21 – China is encouraging select government officials to return to world-class educational institutions in an effort to boost knowledge and skills within the government’s upper level bureaucrats and executives from state-owned companies.

As China Daily reported today, the enrollment figures at the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew University of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore are climbing steadily.

Sending officials back to the classroom abroad is increasingly seen as an important method to gain insight and skills as China extends its influence abroad.

Speaking to China Daily, Chris Devonshire-Ellis, the principal of Dezan Shira & Associates explained why: “More Chinese influence is taking shape in global affairs such as introducing Africa as part of the global supply chain and these developments require Chinese intellect and implementation on a broader scale than before.”

Improving that intellect through study abroad programs is something the Chinese government has been focusing on for some time. Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a speech at the National University of Singapore three years ago encouraging officials and entrepreneurs to return to education in such a world-class environment.