The results of the 2026 High-Quality Course selection for the SQA Higher National Diploma(HND) Programme have recently been released. English Reading, taught by Xu Jia from the English Teaching Group of International College(IC),Xiamen University(XMU) and Pension Regulations, delivered by Peng Yufei from the Subject Teaching Group, have both been selected.

Launched by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) in 2020, this selection activity aims to further boost pedagogical innovation and improve teaching quality within the SQA‑AD Programme. It seeks to set benchmarks for curriculum development and facilitate exchanges, mutual learning and joint progress among teachers from participating institutions. The evaluation adopts a comprehensive assessment framework covering curriculum design, teaching content, teaching methods, resource development and teaching effectiveness.

Centered on developing students’ reading comprehension competence, the course English Reading focuses on the accumulation of linguistic knowledge, cultivation of critical thinking and enhancement of cultural awareness. Meanwhile, it pursues the course objective of helping students systematically grasp question types, exam strategies and problem-solving skills for the IELTS Reading test, laying a solid foundation for later professional literature reading, IELTS examination and overseas study.

The course Pension Regulations is structured around four core modules of the UK pension system: the UK State Pension scheme, defined benefit pension schemes, defined contribution pension schemes and personal pension schemes. It systematically explains the features, operating mechanisms and benefit arrangements of various pension systems. Integrating theory with practice throughout teaching, the course incorporates the latest updates to UK pension laws and policies, supplemented by case studies and official data, to strengthen students’ subject understanding and employability.

The successful selection of the two courses reflects the phased achievements of IC in international curriculum development and faculty development. The College will continue to pursue the connotative development of the programme, and optimise its curriculum system and teaching quality assurance mechanism.