The Motivation and Research Experiences of International Doctoral Students in China

‘Navigating the Doctoral Journey: Motivations and Experiences of International Students in China’ by Kun Dai, Kenichi Doi, and Oluwasegun Oladipo, addresses a critical area in the international education literature. It provides valuable insights into the ways international doctoral students engage with Chinese doctoral education and academia. Drawing on interview data from international doctoral students and Chinese supervisors, the book sheds light on international doctoral students’ motivations, adaptation, and growth in China. This important and necessary text thus makes an important contribution to our knowledge of China’s current conditions of doctoral education, higher education, and academia.- Professor Ly Tran, School of Education, Deakin University, Australia The book provides ground-breaking research that captures the significant transformation of China's position as a center of academic production in the 21st century. China's shift from the periphery to the center of the global knowledge system has had a profound impact on international student mobility. With the efforts of international higher education through the Belt and Road Initiative, the flow of doctoral students from developing countries to China is expected to increase further. This book offers insights into this great transformation from the perspective of the students themselves, making it an invaluable resource for understanding the evolving landscape of global academia.- Professor Kazuo Kuroda, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University, Japan, Vice President of Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) Through compelling narratives and rigorous analysis, Navigating the Doctoral Journey offers a rare glimpse into the lives of international doctoral students in China, revealing the challenges and opportunities they encounter as they navigate a dynamic and evolving higher education landscape. The authors’ in-depth examination of the unique “Shi Men” model of doctoral education and the power dynamics that shape student-supervisor relationships provides valuable insights for both scholars and practitioners. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of international student mobility and the future of international higher education. - Professor of the Practice, Chris R. Glass, Lynch School of Education and Human Development and Center for International Higher Education, Boston College, the USA