BACKGROUND

In the spring of 2000, a few members of the ALT department met with Xiaohui Wang (Associate Professor in Economics, Guangzhou Institute, Guangdong Province, China) and Yarong Jiang Ashley (an alumni of the UW adult education program, educated in Shanghai). Generally, the meeting focused on possible collaboration and exchanges between the ALT department and students at the Guangdong Provincial Party School, South China. Specifically, the discussion explored the possibility of extending its graduate degree emphasis in distance learning and technology to a new population of students living in China. Because a number of the distance learning and technology courses were already available online, it appeared a course delivery infrastructure was already in place to support international participation in ALT graduate degree programs. In addition, since the department was about to initiate a certificate/degree program composed of four courses stressing distance learning and technology, the program could be especially attractive in China. It might appeal to Chinese students desiring to learn more about the educational strategies and delivery technologies surrounding distance education - already very much in use in China.

At its next departmental meeting, ALT faculty discussed the possibility of collaborations in China. Fully recognizing the benefits of international exchanges and opportunities for themselves as well as for students, the faculty approved pursuing formal collaborative opportunities in China. Yarong was offered a small stipend to help spearhead the effort. Eight months later, and after much correspondence between Yarong and higher education officials in China, a formal departmental visit to China was arranged.

During June 2001, Michael Day (as department head) and Yarong visited three higher education programs in China: Yantai Normal University, East-China Computer Science College (Shanghai), and Guangdong Party's School. The trip covered a fairly large geographical area in a very limited period of time, but much was accomplished. Physical contact with officials at the three Chinese higher education institutions was established and discussions took place pertaining to the ALT department's distance education programs, possible exchange programs for students and faculty, and additional collaborative opportunities.

To date, the most fruitful visit was to Yantai Normal University. Shortly after Michael's return from China, the President of Yantai Normal University and its Director of International Programs visited the UW campus. From this visit a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two institutions.

The ALT department is optimistic that meaningful collaboration with the East-China Computer Science College (in Shanghai) and Guangdong Party's School will also develop. The department hopes you'll join its international community and both support and participate in these partnership opportunities.

UW - Yantai Partnership