Winter 2001
Volume 3, Number 2
  
Chinese Minister for Education Visits World Campus


For Chen Zhili, China’s minister for education, visiting Penn State brought back memories of her experiences as a visiting scholar at the Materials Research Laboratory from 1980 to 1982.

Her return to the University also was research-related. This time, she and her delegation visited Penn State, as well as several other U.S. universities, to learn more about the latest advances in distance learning technologies. China is experimenting with distance education at more than 30 universities. In addition, the country has completed construction of the Chinese Education and Research Network, linking more than 700 universities and institutes. Network users number more than 2.5 million.

While at Penn State, Minister Chen spoke with Penn State World Campus faculty members and administrators.

Allan Gyorke, instructional Web specialist with the Center for Academic Computing, presented information about the Webmaster Certificate program; Dr. Gary Kuhne, associate professor of education, demonstrated the capabilities of the on-line Master’s in Adult Education program; and Dr. Drew W. Hyman, professor of public policy and community systems, described the development of the new Community and Economic Development Certificate program.

Dr. Gary E. Miller, associate vice president for Distance Education and executive director of the World Campus; Dr. Peter A. Rubba, director for academic affairs for the World Campus; and Dr. Lawrence C. Ragan, director of Instructional Design and Development for Distance Education and the World Campus, discussed distance education at Penn State and outlined future plans for the World Campus.  
Chen Zhili (photo at left), China’s minister for education, visits the Penn State World Campus during a tour of the University. Minister Chen (front row, far right) headed a Chinese education delegation that included He Xiuchao (front row, left), director, General Administration Office, Ministry of Education; and Wang Chengmao, director, Department of International Cooperation and Exchange, Ministry of Education. Penn State World Campus faculty members R. Thomas Berner (back row, left), professor of journalism and American studies, and Dr. Drew W. Hyman, professor of public policy and community systems, also participated in the program.
  

U.Ed.OCE 00-0921/jlm/GSM