broaden academic perspectives of its faculty and foster a vibrant environment for research. Many initiatives are also taken to encourage its faculty to take part in academic activities or visit overseas universities for professional development, joint research or as visiting scholars.? From 2006 to 2010, SIFT had organized over 30 seminars or workshops. The Annual SIFT-KAS WTO Forum, jointly organized by SIFT and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation of Germany has been held for ten sessions since it was first launched in 2001. Now as a high-level forum f large scale with significant influence, it has raised the academic reputation of SIFT. Meanwhile, renowned scholars from home and abroad, government officials and leading figures from international organizations are often invited to give lectures at SIFT and engage in discussions with SIFT faculty and students on hot issues in the field of international business and trade.