Developing a Mandarin curriculum and international business preparation at GovState

A professional headshot of a smiling man wearing a blue and white checkered shirt with black blazer

Olu Ijose

A headshot of a man wearing glasses and a black turtleneck

Wonsuk Cha

A professional headshot of a smiling woman wearing a white shirt and black blazer

Akiko Ota

In anticipation of the ever-growing footprint of Chinese businesses in the Chicago Southland, Governors State University (GovState) is taking proactive steps to offer Mandarin courses to students and the broader community.

“A $231,000 grant from the state's Department of Education will help develop an international program, as well as promote workforce development,” said Dr. Olumide Ijose, Associate Provost at GovState, who developed the grant alongside Dr. Wonsuk Cha, Associate Professor of Management in the College of Business and Dr. Akiko Ota, Director of English Language Learning and Educational Partnerships in the School of Extended Learning.

“This will enable GovState to become a center for Mandarin language training in the Chicagoland, which is a key global business center. Offering Mandarin courses will help Illinois strengthen its competitive edge in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China," said Dr. Ijose.

The Southland has already seen a rise in Chinese investment, including a significant investment from Gotion, a global leader in electric battery manufacturing, which is building a major plant in Manteno.

These developments have prompted GovState to expand its offerings to meet the needs of local businesses, students, and professionals by providing Mandarin language courses. This initiative will create pathways to new employment and business opportunities.

“As students graduate and enter an increasingly diverse workforce, mainly in the Chicago metropolitan area, it is imperative that they be prepared with the cultural and linguistic proficiency to be competitive now and in the future through globally focused learning experiences,” said Dr. Cha.

This initiative not only equips GovState graduates to excel in the global marketplace but also positions the university as a key player in promoting international business competence and language proficiency.