Contact: Dustin Barnes
STARKVILLE, Miss.--With a Chinese language program now in place, Mississippi State officials are hopeful current and future university students will have an edge when entering the international job market.
"We have been thinking about offering Chinese for a long time now," says foreign languages department head Edmond Emplaincourt. "Any business journal will tell you that China is a rising nation, the place on which to focus."
According to the latest figures, the People's Republic of China--its formal name--has become the business world's next frontier, thanks largely to its developing technology and fast-growing consumer society. Though slightly smaller in land area than the United States, the world's most populous nation is home to some 1.3 billion residents, 70 percent of whom are in the prime buying ages of 15-64.
"Soon China will not be known for its Great Wall, but for its great malls," Emplaincourt observed.
In coming years, he said the MSU department is planning to lay a strong foundation for a full-fledged Chinese program. The proposal has drawn support from university administrators and other departments, as well as the business community, he added.
"The opportunity for our students to be well versed in the language and business of China makes it an ideal situation," said John Lox, director of MSU's international business program.
Emplaincourt said the new program will involve more than language. Students also will learn about Chinese culture and civilization through both classroom training and interaction with Chinese members of the campus and local communities.
"Business is different in Asia," Lox reminded. "It's important to develop a relationship with the people beforehand, and so it's imperative to speak the language and know the culture."
For general or enrollment information about MSU's Chinese program, contact Emplaincourt at 662-325-3480 or eaempl@ra.msstate.edu; Lox, at 325-7005 or jlox@cobilan.msstate.edu.