TOChina Summer School

Introduction

In June 2017, 62 PhD candidates, graduate students, young scholars and professionals gathered in Torino for the 11th edition of the TOChina Summer School: two high-powered weeks of advanced training in the politics, political economy and foreign policy of contemporary China.

A blog post on The China Story captures the essence of the program, where emerging China hands and China-literate practitioners from Australia, China, Germany, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Pakistan, Romania, the UK, and the USA were welcomed to one of Italy’s most dynamic cities, being exposed to valuable insights and cutting-edge research agendas by some of the world’s most accomplished scholars on contemporary China.

The 12th edition of the School will run in Torino from Monday June 25 to Friday July 6, 2018.

As ever with TOChina activities, the aim is to work at the intersection between China’s long-term structural transformations in socio-political, economic and cultural terms, and those particularly salient trends that are currently informing international debates on China.

To ensure the pluralism of disciplinary and intellectual perspectives presented throughout the course, TOChina Summer School faculty members are academics and policy experts from a variety of fields, including Economics, Economic History, International Relations, International Political Economy, Political Philosophy and Culture, Political Science, and Sociology.

In-class activities – including lectures, seminars, round tables, and extensive Q&A sessions – run Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. The TOChina Summer School is held at the “Luigi Einaudi” Campus of the University of Torino (described as one the world’s “10 most spectacular university buildings“).

The 2018 TOChina Summer School is suitable not only for participants wishing to study the domestic aspects of China’s politics, but also for those who intend to explore the rapidly evolving dynamics of Asian and global geopolitics and economics. For those looking for insights into future career options, the TOChina Summer School offers a unique opportunity to engage in lively debates with senior scholars who are often in charge of PhD programs in their country, and affiliated to a variety of organizations. The informal sessions participants join to acquire greater knowledge of the work of TOChina faculty members are a trademark of TOChina’s hands-on approach to the study of contemporary China.

Details of the program are available on this website, with information being updated weekly. Applications will be accepted starting on Monday February 26th, until Friday June 1st. Applications will be evaluated on a first come, first served basis.

Several scholarships covering tuition fees, accommodation, and meals are available. Please check the eligibility criteria for Zerotasse and Freetorino scholarships.

To apply for the 2018 TOChina Summer School, please fill the online application form:

Application Form

The intellectual salon is a rara avis among those outside China who would come to grips with that country’s complex socio-political, regional and economic topography. TOChina offers a unique educational salon for engaged young scholars and professionals from various backgrounds in which they can learn about, discuss and debate the presence of China on the global stage. A salon with edge and purpose like the TOChina Summer School prepares participants for the real world of China today and tomorrow.

Prof. Geremie Barmé

TOChina engaged me in dialogues with both leading experts and young scholars of China studies in a truly multicultural context, where I made lifelong friends who share my own vision and passion for this field of research. The TOChina Summer School is indeed an empowering experience.

MS. WANG GERUI 王格睿
(TOChina alumna 2012)

The intellectual salon is a rara avis among those outside China who would come to grips with that country’s complex socio-political, regional and economic topography. TOChina offers a unique educational salon for engaged young scholars and professionals from various backgrounds in which they can learn about, discuss and debate the presence of China on the global stage. A salon with edge and purpose like the TOChina Summer School prepares participants for the real world of China today and tomorrow.

Prof. Geremie Barmé

TOChina engaged me in dialogues with both leading experts and young scholars of China studies in a truly multicultural context, where I made lifelong friends who share my own vision and passion for this field of research. The TOChina Summer School is indeed an empowering experience.

MS. WANG GERUI 王格睿 (TOChina alumna 2012)

Introduction

Application Form

timetable

All of the 2018 TOChina Summer School lectures are hosted at the "Luigi Einaudi" Campus, Lungo Dora Siena 100/a, Torino.



time

Monday
25 JuNE

Tuesday
26 JUNE

Wednesday 27 JUNE

Thursday
28 JUNE

Friday
29 JUNE

09.30
-
12.30

Patricia THORNTON

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and how it governs

CABESTAN / PU

Eurasian connectivity in a fragmented world: whither Belt and Road?

Daniele BRIGADOI COLOGNA

Chineseness beyond China: the evolving identities of the Chinese diaspora

Marco ALIBERTI

“All above Heaven”: the outlook of China’s outer space strategy and its global repercussions

Bates GILL

China matters: getting it right for Australia and the Pacific

lunch break

15.00
-
17.30

Jean Pierre CABESTAN

Greater China under Xi Jinping: views from Hong Kong and Taiwan

PU Xiaoyu

Rebranding China: status signaling and changing global order

GILL / MORTON / PU

China’s centenary goals and the regional balance of power in the Western Pacific

Katherine MORTON

Securing the success of the Belt and Road Initiative: an assessment 5 years on

free time

Welcome Aperitif
(h 19.00)

Sightseeing tour
(h 18.30)

time

Monday
2 July

Tuesday
3 July

Wednesday
4 July

Thursday
5 July

Friday
6 July

09.30
-
12.30

LI Cheng

Who’s who in the Chinese Party - State after the 19th CPC national congress and the 2018 lianghui

LI Cheng

Key policy outlooks for China during Xi Jinping’s second term

Mohsen SHARIATINIA

Heart of the Silk Road? Sino-Iranian relations in an age of uncertainty

LIU Hongxia

Future trends for socialist rule of law in pursuit of China's two centennial goals

CONFERENCE

China's role in the Balkans: regional perspectives

lunch break

15.00
-
17.30

Susan SHIRK

China one decade on: still a "fragile superpower"?

Susan SHIRK

US-China relations in a shifting global order

WANG Jianye

The impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on China’s domestic economy and global growth: a view from the financial sector

WANG Jianye

China's reform and opening up at 40: what future for market socialism with Chinese characteristics?

FINAL TEST

Farewell Party
(h 19.00)

Faculty & Sessions

Marco ALIBERTI

EUROPEAN SPACE POLICY INSTITUTE

lecture: “All above Heaven”: the outlook of China’s outer space strategy and its global repercussions

Daniele BRIGADOI COLOGNA

UNIVERSITY OF iNsubria & tORINO WORLD AFFAIRS INSTITUTE

lecture: Chineseness beyond China: the evolving identities of the Chinese diaspora

Jean-Pierre CABESTAN

Honk Kong Baptist University

lecture: Greater China under Xi Jinping: views from Hong Kong and Taiwan

roundtable: Eurasian connectivity in a fragmented world: whither Belt and Road?

Bates GILL

Macquarie University

lecture: China matters: getting it right for Australia and the Pacific

roundtable: China’s centenary goals and the regional balance of power in the Western Pacific

LI Cheng

John L. Thornton China Centre & Brookings

LECTURE: Who’s who in the Chinese Party - State after the 19th CPC national congress and the 2018 lianghui

LECTURE: Key policy outlooks for China during Xi Jinping’s second term

LIU Hongxia

NYU Shanghai

LECTURE: Future trends for socialist rule of law in pursuit of China's two centennial goals

Katherine MORTON

University of Sheffield

LECTURE: Securing the success of the Belt and Road Initiative: an assessment 5 years on

roundtable: China’s centenary goals and the regional balance of power in the Western Pacific

PU Xiaoyu

University of Nevada Reno

LECTURE: Rebranding China: status signaling and changing global order

roundtable: Eurasian connectivity in a fragmented world: whither Belt and Road?

roundtable: China’s centenary goals and the regional balance of power in the Western Pacific

Mohsen SHARIATINIA

Shahid Beheshti University

LECTURE: Heart of the Silk Road? Sino-Iranian relations in an age of uncertainty

Susan SHIRK

UC San Diego

LECTURE: China one decade on: still a "fragile superpower"?

LECTURE: US-China relations in a shifting global order

Patricia THORNTON

Oxford University

LECTURE: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and how it governs

WANG Jianye

GUANGZHOU INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCE & NYU Shanghai

LECTURE: The impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on China’s domestic economy and global growth: a view from the financial sector

LECTURE: China's reform and opening up at 40: what future for market socialism with Chinese characteristics?

Key Dates

26 february

The TOChina Centre begins accepting online applications for the 2018 edition of the TOChina Summer School.

Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

1 june

All complete applications reaching the TOChina Program Manager by this date (CET) are evaluated. No late application will be considered.

8 june

By this date the last successful applicants receiving an offer must formally accept it and send proof of fees payment (direct bank transfer, all banking expenses must be paid by the candidate) via email. Upon receiving these, the TOChina Program Manager will confirm the candidate’s enrollment. Applicants who should fail to meet this deadline will have their offer withdrawn.

24 june

Participants gather in Torino. FREETORINO Scholarship holders are accompanied to their accommodation.

25 june

The 2018 TOChina Summer School begins.

Admissions Criteria

The TOChina Summer School is designed for highly motivated students and professionals looking for one of the world’s best intensive programs focussing on the politics, society, political economy and foreign policy of contemporary China. A careful selection is carried out in order to make sure that the School’s working environment is as dynamic and challenging as possible. The Admissions Committee focuses on the following factors in reaching its decisions:

1. the applicant’s capacity to make a credible claim for a proficient research/professional career with China;

2. sound academic credentials and fluency in English;

3. individual potential as expressed by the applicant’s CV;

4. the candidate’s motivation as articulated in the personal statement.

Applications are welcome from any professional or student who is in possession of the required qualifications. These are a Bachelor honours degree at 1 or 2:1 level (or an equivalent European title, such as the Laurea triennale for Italian students with a minimum grade of 100/110) and full command of the English language. Special consideration will be given to applicants who can demonstrate their English ability in the following ways:

1. being of a nationality where English is the first language;

2. having studied at university level in English as shown on the transcript uploaded in the Online Application form;

3. having studied English at school (e.g., GCSE, A-Level, International Baccalaureate…) and achieved good grades;

4. having taken an approved English Language test and met the following standards: IELTS – 6.5; TOEFL (Internet based) – 100 points; TOEFL (Computer based) – 250 points; TOEFL (Paper based) – 600 points; Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) – Pass; Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) – Pass.

Outstanding undergraduate students (i.e. students who will not yet have a degree at the start of the Summer School) who are enrolled in a university course with a strong China focus may also apply, provided that they have completed at least one year of course.

auditors

In order to render the TOChina Summer School at least temporarily accessible to students and professionals who are unable to attend the entire duration of the course (2 weeks), a maximum of 5 auditors will be admitted for each session.

Anyone can apply to audit one or more sessions. Unsuccessful Summer School applicants too may re-apply as auditors. There is no restriction on the number of sessions a single auditor may attend. The cost for attending each session as auditors is EUR 100.00. Attendance for the whole day (i.e. both morning and afternoon sessions in the same day) costs EUR 150.00.

Those wishing to apply as auditors should send an email with their updated résumé or CV to the TOChina Program Manager (summerschool@tochina.it) indicating which session(s) they would like to attend (day, time, lecturer).

fees

Tuition fees depend on the status of the applicant, as shown by the following chart:

Applicant status

FEES

Students from University of Torino
enrolled in Bachelor or Master's Degree belonging to the Department of Culture, Politics and Society

Students from partner institutions
Beijing Foreign Studies University
China Foreign Affairs University
Guandong Foreign Studies University
Members and former members of M.S.O.I.-UNYA Italy (Under-35)
Peking University
ThinkIN China Registered Followers
Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale"
Università di Roma Tre
Zhejiang University

EUR 590.00

All other students

EUR 690.00

Professionals

EUR 990.00

These amounts cover tuition and working materials, and must be paid in full by all admitted participants ahead of joining the program.

Selections of participants from specific partner institutions (China Foreign Affairs University, Università di Napoli “L’Orientale”, Università di Roma Tre, Yenching Academy of Peking University) are regulated through ad-hoc agreements with such institutions.

how to pay

The only accepted means of payment is a direct bank transfer for the above mentioned amounts, depending on the participant’s status. Bank transfer costs MUST be covered in full by the participants.

Here are the bank data:

Payee: Dipartimento di Culture, Politica e Società, Università di Torino IBAN: IT37A0306909217100000460184 BIC: BCITITMM

Bank name: Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. Bank address: Agenzia di Via Monte di Pietà, 32 – 10122 Torino IT

It is absolutely essential that the stated reason for payment is the following: “Name and Surname, TOChina Summer School 2018”

scholarships

Students only may apply for two types of scholarships:

• ZEROTASSE: scholarships covering tuition fees entirely. These scholarships may be applied for by all School participants who are currently students (i.e. undergraduates who will not have completed their China-related degree at the beginning of the School, or applicants who either are studying at the postgraduate level or will be doing so in the 2018-19 academic year).

• FREETORINO: scholarships covering both tuition fees and living expenses in Torino. Those who are awarded a FREETORINO scholarship will be lodged at one of Torino’s student halls (or similar kind of accommodation) from Sunday 24 June to Saturday 7 July, 2018. A single or double (depending on availability) en-suite room and one meal per day (dinner) will be provided. These scholarships may be applied for by all School participants who are currently students (i.e. undergraduates who will not have completed their China-related degree at the time of the School, or applicants who either are studying at the postgraduate level or will be doing so in the 2018-19 academic year). Applicants must not be resident in the Province of Torino (IT).

Those students who are awarded a ZEROTASSE scholarship will have their fees entirely reimbursed by October 30, 2018, provided they have met the relevant conditions (see what they are in the box to the left). Those students who are awarded a FREETORINO scholarship will also have their fees entirely reimbursed by October 30, 2018, provided they have met the relevant conditions (see what they are in the box on the left), while half-board accommodation will not require any payment on their part and will be immediately available upon their arrival in Torino.

To be awarded a TOChina Summer School scholarship, candidates must:
• be currently enrolled in a university course, either as postgraduate or undergraduate students. The latter need to be enrolled in a university degree with a strong China focus;
• send relevant application documents: copy of official certificate as proof of university enrollment, copy of most recent academic transcript;
• have been awarded the scholarship at the time of admission to the program;
• have paid their fees in full;
• have attended a minimum of 42 hours of lectures/seminars;
• have achieved at least a “pass” grade in the final exam.

If all conditions are met, the fees will be entirely reimbursed to the scholarship-winning participant by Fall 2018.

how to apply

Up to 75 participants will be admitted to the 2018 TOChina Summer School. Competition to secure a place in this program can be very intense: early application is strongly recommended.
Applications submitted between February 26 and June 1 will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. No applications will be accepted beyond June 1, 2018.

Applicants are requested to fill in the online application form.

Upon receiving candidates’ online application, the TOChina Program Manager will request supplementary documents (CV, enrollment letter, academic transcript, scanned copy of passport) via email, will check that compulsory requirements are met and pass their application package on to the Admissions Committee, which will be appointed by the Director of the Department of Culture, Politics and Society of the University of Torino, where the TOChina Hub is based.

Successful applicants receiving an offer must formally accept it and send proof of fees payment (direct bank transfer) via email to the TOChina Program Manager at summerschool@tochina.it by the set deadline (see the Key Dates section). Upon receiving these, the applicant will be officially enrolled in the program.

Applicants who should fail to send such confirmation and proof of fees payment by the set deadline will have their offer withdrawn. Any newly-available place will be offered to the highest-ranking applicants not selected in the first round.

Tuition fees range between EUR 590.00 and EUR 990.00, depending on the type of applicant (student, professional…). Please see the Fees section of this website for further information. All successful applicants must pay their full fees.

Students who are awarded a ZEROTASSE scholarship will have their fees entirely reimbursed by October 30, 2018, provided they have met the relevant conditions (see the requirements in the Scholarships section). Students who are awarded a FREETORINO scholarship will also have their fees entirely reimbursed by October 30, 2018, provided they have met the same conditions, while half-board accommodation will not require any payment on their part and will be immediately available upon their arrival in Torino.

Applicants may be called for an interview before a final decision on their application is made.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application at the earliest possible time.

Torino, Travel and Accommodation

Torino, the first capital city of united Italy in 1861, is an ancient place. Established by the Romans with a distinctive rectangular grid which mesmerizes visitors to this day, each moment in history has left its mark on the city, generating a legacy of culture, architecture and monuments. In 2012 the New York Times devoted to Torino one of its “36 hours in…” pieces.

The Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games showcased a cosmopolitan city, still attached to its industrial tradition – the now global FIAT car manufacture was founded here – while transforming into an Italian hub of technological and cultural innovation with a high quality of life. The UN System has its Staff College here (UNSSC), together with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO). UNESCO has recently approved the creation of a centre for research on world cultural heritage to be based in the baroque Venaria Reale palace, one of several world heritage sites in the area.

World-renowned Juventus football club – one of Torino’s glories – has its brand-new Stadium in town, alongside the world’s second-largest Egyptian antiques museum after Cairo (Museo Egizio), the Automobile Museum, the Cinema Museum (few know that in the early days cinema was being developed here), and the Mountain Museum (Museo Nazionale della Montagna), aptly located on Torino’s hills overlooking the Alps. Torino’s region – Piedmont (Piemonte) – means “at the feet of the mountains” and Europe’s most charming peaks are within a couple of hours drive.

Sampling the local cuisine is a cultural must in Torino. Its informal trattoria, refinded top-end restaurants and exotic ethnic eateries make the city one of the undisputed world capitals of taste, including for its illustrious wine scene, whether one is looking for whites (Gavi, Arneis, Moscato), superb reds (Dolcetto, Grignolino, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco and Barolo), or even sparkling wines, which, through Martini & Rossi, gave rise to the tradition of Asti Spumante.

Seemingly closer to the Northern European no-nonsense, hard-working style than it is to Italy’s Mediterranean allure, Torino transforms at sunset: by aperitif time the streets are lit up and buzzing with people enjoying live jazz, exclusive dj sets, the local philharmonic orchestra performances, theatre and opera, but also shows, cabaret, literary cafes, street festivals and crazy notti bianche, all night non-stop events that animate the city streets until dawn.

GETTING TO KNOW TORINO AND ITS REGION

Torino Piemonte

arriving in town

By plane (Milan)By plane (Torino)

MOVING AROUND

Public Transport Car-sharing

Trenitalia (Train)Italo (Train)Motorway

MOVING AROUND

Public Transport Car-sharing Trenitalia (Train)Italo (Train)Motorway

Accommodation in Torino

As explained in the “Fees and Scholarships” section, TOChina staff will provide accommodation for the applicants who qualify for the Freetorino scholarship. All other participants will have to organize their stay in Torino independently. TOChina staff will do their best to advise successful applicants as they seek adequate accommodation in town.

The following links may be a useful first port-of-call.

Sportello CASA Service Collegio Universitario Einaudi Turismo Torino ReSocialClub

As for meals, all participants will be given a dossier during induction with a list of venues for all budgets, together with other useful tips.

For local transport information, best to log on to the GTT transport group. Please note that the venue of the Summer School – though located in the city centre – may not be within walking distance of your accommodation.

faqs and contacts

Please note that our FAQs are updated on a regular basis and the majority of enquiries tend to be answered there. The TOChina Program Manager may choose not to reply to queries that are clearly answered here.

Due to international time differences, we strongly advise you to contact the TOChina Program Manager by email. We answer email enquiries every day. Should you need to contact TOChina by telephone, please email the TOChina Program Manager to fix an appointment.

The email address for enquiries on the TOChina Summer School is
summerschool@tochina.it.

We will respond as soon as possible to your email enquiry. However, please be aware that during peak periods the office is very busy and there may be a turnaround time of approximately 48 hours.

The TOChina Hub Manager is Mr. Kavinda Navaratne. Upon appointment, arranged via email, he may be reached at:

Room 1D325, “LUIGI EINAUDI” CAMPUS, LUNGODORA SIENA 100/A TORINO – ITALY

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