Press Release

GIA to Offer Distance Education in China through Shanghai Jiao Tong University


Students in China have the option for on-campus or distance education programs

CARLSBAD, Calif. – July 1, 2019 – GIA distance education programs, including student workrooms, will be available in China through a cooperative program at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). GIA’s Graduate Gemologist (GG), Jewelry Design, accelerated Graduate Diamonds and accelerated Graduate Colored Stones programs are already available on campus at SJTU. Prospective students will now also have access to GIA education programs on-campus and through distance education.
 
For more information, contact the GIA school in Taiwan: telephone +886 2 2771 9391 or email giataiwan@gia.edu.
 
“Education is the cornerstone of GIA’s mission to ensure the public trust in gems and jewelry, and this initiative with SJTU brings us a step closer to providing more accessible gem and jewelry education to students around the world,” said Duncan Pay, vice president and chief academic officer.
 
“Offering distance education courses in addition to our successful eight years of on-campus programs will provide more choices for jewelry practitioners and enthusiasts in China,” said Shi Jian, director of the jewelry and fashion industry research center of SJTU.
 
The first GIA program offered at SJTU was the GG in 2011. The offering expanded in 2012 to include the Jewelry Design, accelerated Graduate Diamonds and accelerated Graduate Colored Stones programs. SJTU has hosted 15 resident GG programs and 12 Jewelry Design courses since 2011. More than 500 students have graduated from these programs at SJTU with diplomas from GIA.


About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight and, in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which is recognized around the world as the standard for diamond quality.
 
Through research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science and professionalism.