Certificate Programme in Chinese for International Security (CIS)

Chinese for International Security (CIS) is an eight-week online certificate course for students and professionals who want to use Mandarin in security-oriented contexts. As China's weight in regional and global security grows, the ability to read Chinese source material and to communicate directly has become a practical advantage for those working in defence, intelligence, strategic studies and Indo-Pacific affairs. CIS teaches Mandarin through the world of international security.

The course is organised around topic-based units on inter-state conflict, regional security, defence cooperation, crisis communication, counter-terrorism, cyber security and human security. Participants build focused vocabulary while developing listening, speaking, reading and writing, working through guided reading of security reports and official statements, short analytical briefs, simulated security meetings and crisis-response exercises, and role-plays of bilateral and multilateral security dialogues.

Rationale and need for this programme

There is strong demand, particularly from the government and defence sectors, for specialised Chinese language training. Mandarin instruction in India is rarely built around security vocabulary and contexts; most available options teach generic or business Chinese. CIS is designed for professionals who need the language of security affairs specifically, and forms the entry level of a progressive Mandarin pathway offered by CHS.