中文
1. Introduction to Majors and Specializations
The Economics program, originally established in 1993 when it was approved to begin admitting undergraduate students as the “International Economics” major, underwent a significant curriculum revision in 1999 under the new undergraduate catalog issued by China’s Ministry of Education, leading to its current name International Economics and Trade. In 2011, the program officially began enrolling undergraduate students in the Economics major.
The Economics program aims to cultivate well-rounded professionals who excel in ethics, intellect, physical health, and aesthetics—qualities essential for thriving in the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century. Graduates will be equipped to meet the demands of socialist economic development and societal progress, possessing a solid foundation in both Marxist economics and international economics, along with a comprehensive understanding of core economic theories and principles. They will also master advanced modern economic analysis techniques, preparing them to address the challenges posed by the globalization and integration of the global economy.
Key courses in the program include Political Economy, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, International Economics, Basic Econometrics, Statistics, Principles of Accounting, World Economics, International Trade Practice, Institutional Economics, Risk Management, Monetary Banking, and Public Finance. Since welcoming its first cohort of undergraduates in September 1993, the program has seen 31 graduating classes, producing over 1,500 alumni to date. Students receive rigorous training in economic fundamentals, gain insights into the socio-economic conditions of major countries and regions, and develop strong analytical and practical skills. Graduates are well-prepared to pursue careers in foreign-related economic and trade sectors, multinational corporations, financial institutions, and government agencies, where they can engage in roles such as management, research, or strategic planning and communication.
2. Introduction to Faculty Profiles
The Economics program boasts a strong faculty, which serves as a reliable guarantee for its successful operation. Currently, the Department of Economics has a total of ten faculty members: Wang Bo, Tang Sai, Wu Nanlin, Yang Zunliang, Zhang Xin, Wang Yanzhen, Guan Long, Xu Jia, Li Shulin, and Lin Xiaoyue. The department’s doctoral degree attainment rate among full-time faculty stands at 70%, while 40% of full-time instructors are under the age of 45 (born after September 1979). Additionally, 70% of the faculty holds senior academic titles.
Teachers over the age of 40 at Harbin Institute of Technology have mostly been engaged in teaching for more than 20 years, boasting extensive teaching experience and delivering outstanding results. Meanwhile, teachers under 40 have been teaching at HIT for at least 5 years, proving themselves to be highly skilled educators—they even earned one first-place award and three second-place awards in the university’s annual Young Teachers’ Basic Skills Competition. These dedicated instructors are well-equipped to effectively teach both foundational and specialized courses in their fields, as well as manage every aspect of the teaching process with confidence.
3. Introduction of renowned scholars and academic leaders
Wang Bo, male, born in 1980, a member of the Communist Party of China. He currently serves as a professor in the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Harbin Institute of Technology, where he also mentors doctoral students. Additionally, he holds the position of Deputy Director of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at HIT.
Tang Sai, female, born in 1975, a member of the Communist Party of China. She currently serves as a professor in the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Harbin Institute of Technology, and she is a doctoral supervisor.
4. Introduction to Teaching and Research Activities
In recent years, the economics team has published more than 100 papers, authored or co-authored over 10 monographs and textbooks, and secured funding for more than 20 research projects at national, provincial, and ministerial levels. The team has undertaken numerous research initiatives, including projects funded by the National Social Science Fund, the National Natural Science Fund, the former State Planning Commission, the soft topic of National Torch Program, and the Heilongjiang Provincial Natural Science Fund, among others. Total research funding has exceeded 1 million yuan. Additionally, the team has contributed over 100 papers to prominent domestic and international academic journals such as China Soft Science, International Trade Issues, Journal of Systems Engineering and Electronics, and Intelligence Science. More than 20 of these papers have been indexed in SCI and EI databases, while the team has also received multiple provincial and ministerial-level awards for academic excellence.
The Department of Economics has earned nine prestigious awards at national and provincial levels, with its academic achievements receiving high praise from the academic community, government bodies, and businesses alike—solidifying a strong reputation in society. With over 20 years of discipline development, the department boasts a well-rounded professional structure, a robust faculty, comprehensive infrastructure, and cutting-edge research that not only advances academic knowledge but also exerts significant societal influence.
5. Introduction to Student Teaching and Developmental Feature
The educational goal for economics program is to cultivate application-oriented, high-level professionals; therefore, it is essential to adhere to practical principles and engage in extracurricular learning activities.
(1) Establish a system for students’ part-time social practice. During each holiday, students will engage in activities such as investigating socio-economic issues and participating in real-world economic tasks, thereby genuinely fostering their ability to observe, analyze, and address societal challenges. Additionally, outside of regular academic terms, students can form extracurricular groups and clubs tailored to their majors and interests, empowering them to independently apply theoretical knowledge to tackle practical problems.
(2) Adopt a “bring in, go out” approach to strengthen the practical components of teaching. Regularly organize lectures—both scheduled and unscheduled—by renowned domestic and international economists, fostering robust academic exchanges. This will help students stay abreast of cutting-edge developments in their field, deepen their understanding of the relevance of their coursework, and ultimately nurture their professional and academic passions.
(3) Strengthen the internship component by fully leveraging the software and hardware resources of our professional internship facilities, effectively addressing key challenges in the teaching process and helping students achieve a significant improvement in their practical application skills.
(4) The extracurricular activities mainly include (innovation events, subject knowledge competitions)
(5) Six lectures in the Cultural and Quality Education Series (including Lecture 201, lectures by academicians and doctoral supervisors, and the Teaching & Learning Forum).
6. Introduction to Graduate Studies and Employment Opportunities
The Economics program welcomed its first cohort of undergraduate students in September 1993, who graduated in 1997 to strong employment prospects. Over the past three years, graduates have pursued diverse career paths: 15% went on to pursue master’s degrees, while 99% secured full-time employment. Only 1% chose to return their academic records to their hometowns. Among those employed, the majority found positions at prominent organizations, including national civil service roles (such as in the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of State Security, Provincial Finance Department, and the People’s Bank of China) and financial institutions (including China’s four major state-owned commercial banks, other commercial banks, and specialized financial firms). Additionally, many graduates landed jobs at leading corporations like Huawei, ZTE, Haier, China Mobile, Lenovo, China Construction, and China Overseas, as well as at universities and other educational institutions.
7. Introduction to Student International Exchange and Study Abroad Programs
From 2007 to 2024, more than 50 students have participated in exchange programs at renowned universities abroad, including Columbia University (USA), the University of Sydney (Australia), Lille University of Science and Technology (France), Chiba University (Japan), Incheon National University (South Korea), and many others. Meanwhile, several students have engaged in exchange studies at domestic universities such as Shandong University, Jilin University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, National Tsing Hua University (Taiwan, China) and I-Shou University (Taiwan, China), among others. Additionally, the International Economics and Trade program has enrolled over 200 international students from countries including South Korea, Russia, Japan, Mongolia, Yemen, Canada, and so on.
8. Progress in the Development of Graduate Degree Programs
The Master’s program in Economics at the Department of Economics, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Harbin Institute of Technology, was approved in 2010. The discipline originally emerged from the Political Economy Teaching and Research Section established in 1954. In terms of scientific research and talent development, the Economics Master’s program adheres to the principle of grounding itself in economic theory while emphasizing the integration of theory with practice. Currently, it has developed two first-level disciplines: (1) Theoretical Economics, and (2) Applied Economics.
Graduate students majoring in economics are trained under a mentorship system, with each student assigned a dedicated advisor. Emphasis is placed on advisors’ roles in both teaching and nurturing students, and a “dual-mentor” system has been implemented for graduate supervisors. Advisors develop individualized training plans for each master’s student, aligning with the program requirements and adhering to the principle of tailoring education to the student’s unique strengths and needs. Advisors are expected to provide comprehensive support for their students’ academic and personal development, ensuring they excel not only in their studies but also in character-building. Throughout the program, special attention is given to balancing coursework with rigorous scientific research.
9. Team Members of the Leadership Group
Head of the Department of Economics: Wu Nanlin
Party Secretary of the Economics Department Branch: Yang Zunliang
Deputy Heads of the Department of Economics: Yang Zunliang, Zhang Xin, Guan Long
10. Academic Specialties
Economic discipline development and graduate program management are vital components of higher education, aimed at enhancing educational quality and cultivating high-caliber economics professionals.
(1) Academic Development: The Department of Economics within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences offers one undergraduate program and currently has two master’s degree programs authorized to confer degrees.
(2) Graduate and Undergraduate Program Management: The management of graduate and undergraduate programs in the Department of Economics focuses on standardizing and strengthening the educational process to ensure both academic quality and integrity. Our discipline emphasizes taking full responsibility for quality assurance, enhancing faculty mentorship, and establishing robust mechanisms for preventing and addressing academic misconduct.
(3) Student Training System: Our department’s student training and management system encompasses stages such as orientation, coursework, research training, and dissertation writing.
(4) Educational Reform: The Department of Economics is continuously reforming and optimizing its curriculum development and graduate program management. By refining the faculty structure, building robust academic platforms, and enhancing scholarly excellence, the department is driving forward the advancement of its disciplines.
(5) Internationalization and Specialization: To meet the growing demand for talent driven by economic development, the Department of Economics focuses on internationalization and specialization in its academic programs, cultivating professionals with a global perspective.
Through these measures, the Department of Economics is able to nurture students who not only possess a solid theoretical foundation but also demonstrate practical skills and an innovative mindset, ultimately contributing to the nation’s economic and social development.
