Developing critical thinking skills and effective co‐operative international accounting degree programs in China

Purpose - The authors aim to critically review the co-operative education program conducted between 20 Chinese universities and the Certified General Accountants’ Association of Canada. Design/methodology/approach - The assessments made are influenced by the results of a questionnaire survey of the opinions of students in the co-operative education program; and by the experiences of the authors variously as a current teacher, former student, and independent observer of this program. Findings - The authors offer suggestions to improve accounting education in China in areas of curriculum and teaching. In doing so, they emphasize the need to develop critical thinking skills. Originality/value - This paper provides good insights to how many Chinese universities co-operate with foreign universities and/or foreign professional accounting associations to educate accountants. This is particularly important in an era in which China's rapidly expanding international trade and overseas investment has prompted a growing need for it to develop more internationally-proficient accountants.

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