Assessing the Academic and Social Feasibility of a Mandarin Language Education Program in Indonesian Higher Education
Abstract
The increasing global influence of China has significantly elevated the strategic importance of Mandarin in the fields of education, economy, diplomacy, and intercultural communication. This study aims to examine the academic and social feasibility of establishing a Mandarin Language Education Program in Indonesian higher education. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study collected quantitative data through an online survey of 150 undergraduate students and qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with lecturers and curriculum experts. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were examined thematically. The findings reveal an exceptionally high level of student interest in the proposed program, with 83.3% of respondents expressing very strong motivation to enroll should the program be offered. In addition, the overall mean score for the perceived importance of Mandarin reached 4.42 on a scale of 5 (very high), indicating strong recognition of its relevance to global communication, career opportunities, academic development, and intercultural understanding. Qualitative results further confirm strong societal demand and institutional alignment with internationalization agendas, while also identifying challenges related to human resources and contextualized teaching materials. Overall, the results suggest that the establishment of a Mandarin Language Education Program in Indonesian universities is highly feasible and strategically relevant. This study provides empirical support for institutional decision-making, curriculum development, and educational policy related to foreign language programs in higher education, contributing to the preparation of globally competent and interculturally aware graduates.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/jpp.v26i1.96968
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