Heilongjiang Institute of Science and Technology (HIST)

After studying a variety of Dual Degree programs, including the Douglas College/Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade program, Heilongjiang Institute of Technology (HIST) approached Douglas College regarding the opening of a similar program at HIST in Harbin, China.  In 1998 Douglas College (DC)  and the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade (SIFT) had launched an innovative Dual  Degree program to prepare professionals in the field of financial management and capital markets for the expected rising demand for highly trained  individuals in finance.  HIST and Douglas College signed an Agreement in 2003 to offer the same program at HIST, and the first student intake occurred in the fall of 2004. The Douglas College/SIFT collaboration has been exceptionally successful and has won several prestigious awards. Our intention was to replicate this success at HIST. Read more about our SIFT program.

Students complete 30 credits of English and then complete an additional 136 program courses in both Chinese and English. Students can earn the Douglas College Diploma in Financial Services, the HIST Bachelor of Economics and Management, and the Douglas College Bachelor of Business Administration.

This is a joint teaching program. Douglas College has sent 10 professors to teach courses at HIST. In addition 17 HIST professors have undergone a professional development program at Douglas College. HIST professors study Canadian approaches to instructional design, critical thinking, as well as reviewing specific course content with Douglas College faculty.

The Douglas College/HIST Dual Degree program has also proven remarkably attractive to students. There are currently over 500 full time students enrolled in the program and the first degrees will be awarded in June of 2009.

Graduates will have studied International and Chinese financial systems and business practices. In addition, the Canadian contribution emphasizes critical thinking, team projects and student case presentations. Graduates report that that these unique factors of the Dual Degree program provide them with an important competitive advantage in the labor market. 

This program offered at HIST was selected by the Education Committee of Heilongjiang Province as the best Model for International Degree Granting Programs in the province.