Past Events

• Report on The Second Sino-American Symposium on Human Geography June 23-25, 1997
  
• Annual Report 1997
 
• CSUN Delegation's China Trip Summary 1996
• A Summary of Training Programs Organized CSUN China Institute

The Second Sino-American Symposium on Human Geography

June 23-25, 1997
Xi'an Foreign Language University, Xi'an The People's Republic of China
by I-Shou Wang

California State University Northridge, along with the Chinese Geographical Society and Xi'an Foreign Language University, co-sponsored the Second Sino-American Symposium on Human Geography. The conference was held at Xi'an Foreign Language University in Xi'an, China from June 23 to June 25, 1997. In 1985 the First SinoAmerican Symposium on Human Geography, with the same co-sponsors, was held at the same institution.

Prof Xingzhong Wang, Vice Director of the Institute of Human Geography, Xi'an Foreign Languages University, and Dr. I-Shou Wang, Chair of the Geography Department, California State University Northridge were the prime organizers of the Conference.

Professor Ruiqing Du, Vice President of Xi'an Foreign Language University, chaired the Opening Session. President Tianyi Sun of Xi'an Foreign Language University made the welcoming remarks. Others who spoke at the Opening Session were Ms. Xiaomei Fan, Vice Governor of Shaanxi Province; Dr. Chuanjun Wu, President of the Chinese Geographical Society; Dr. Louanne Kennedy, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs of California State University Northridge; Prof. Laixi Guo, Director of the Academic Committee of the Chinese Geographical Society; and Prof. Zongxing Chen, Vice Mayor of Xi'an. Dr. Ronald Abler, Executive Director of the Association of American Geographers, delivered the keynote address.

The three-day conference attracted a great many geographers and other scholars, including 47 scholars from overseas and about 100 from China. Although Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan were represented, most overseas scholars were from the United States and Canada. The Chinese geographers who participated came from more than fifty institutions in China. The 34 papers were of generally high quality, and many of those presentations prompted lively discussion. Although the research presented covered a wide range of topics, most papers dealt with some aspect of urban geography, often within China. The four panel discussion sessions were well attended and provided a useful forum for the exchange of ideas. Mealtimes in the university dining hall were excellent opportunities to renew old friendships and get acquainted with other participants. Festivities included an outdoor Conference banquet and, on other evenings, a dumpling feast and a performance of T'ang Dynasty music and dance.

The Conference was held at the Guest House complex of Xi'an Foreign Language University. These very new facilities included a large lecture hall with modem multi-media facilities, several small conference rooms, a large entertainment hall, and a four-story residential hall. The friendliness and helpfulness of the staff of Xi'an Foreign Language University made all the participants feel at home.
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Several local field trips, including a tour of the city of Xi'an, the Provincial Museum, and the Terra Cotta Warrior Museum, were conducted during the Conference. A preconference trip to Lhasa, Tibet and four post-conference trips were also arranged. The post-conference field trips included the Silk Road: Jiayuguan, Dunhuan, Turupen, and Urumuq; the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River; the Karst Topography and National Minorities of the Southwest China; and the Hua Mountain and the Hukou Waterfall of the Yellow River.

California State University Northridge was represented by a large delegation. A total of 14 faculty members, administrators, and spouses attended the Conference. University officials included Provost Louanne Kennedy, Associate Vice President Mack Johnson, and Dean William Flores of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Kennedy made remarks at both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as at a special reception hosted by the Governor of Shaanxi Province, Mr. Andong Cheng. Dr. I-Shou Wang chaired two paper sessions and also spoke at the closing ceremony.

The seven Geography professors who presented papers are listed here, with the titles of their talks:

Dr. James Allen, "Asians in Los Angeles: Residential Location and Employment Niches."

Dr. Darrick Danta, "Geographic Background to Conflicts in Southeastern Europe."
Dr. Antonia Hussey, "The Asian Way to Capitalism: Socioeconomic Development in Singapore."
Dr. Robert Hoffpauir, "The Domestication of the Water Buffalo: A Cultural Geographical Analysis."
Dr. Julie Laity, "Human Impact on the Environment: Landscape Changes along the Mojave River, California."
Dr. Eugene Turner, "The Use of Automated Mapping and GIS in the Production of a Metropolitan Atlas."
Dr. I-Shou Wang (co-authored with Robert Provin), "The Application of Geographic Information Systems and the Use of Internet in Geographic Research and Teaching

- The Creation of the Population Atlas of Shaanxi Province, China."

It should be noted that a special issue of Human Geography, which is housed at Xi'an Foreign Language University, was published in conjunction with the Conference. In that issue, 23 papers on the status and prospects of various subfields of human geography in China were presented by our Chinese colleagues.

The Conference was so successful that all sponsoring parties have agreed to hold the Third Sino-American Symposium on Human Geography at California State University Northridge in 2001. The Association of American Geographers has agreed to be a cosponsor of the third Conference.

The Conference participants learned a great deal from the paper and panel sessions, and they also had excellent opportunities to exchange ideas and experiences concerning teaching and research. It was an extraordinary opportunity for the CSUN faculty to meet distinguished Chinese geographers. The Conference and fields trips allowed the delegation to obtain fint-hand observations and experiences of the landscape, people, and culture of China. All these observations and experiences expanded their understanding of China and no doubt will contribute to their teaching at CSUN.

CSUN CENTERS/INSTITUTES (Draft) ANNUAL REPORT FORM (July 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997)

Name of Center/Institute: THE CHINA INSTITUTE
Director: Justine Zhixin Su
School/Department: OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES, RESEARCH, AND INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Year Chartered: 1982

A. Center Activities for the Year:

Lecture Series:

1. "Impressions from a Recent Visit to Nepal--The Hidden Neighbor of China," by Dr. Toh-Bin Lim. March, 1997.
2. "Back to China: Ten Years After," by Prof. Ileana Costea, March 27, 1997.
3. "Teaching and Teacher Education in Tibet: Report from the Mysterious Land," by Professor Justine Zhixin Su. May, 1997.
4. "Doing Business in Shanghai," by Authur Lin. May, 1997.

Art, Music and Entertainment:

1. "Violin Solo by Jay Zhong." December, 1996.
2. Chinese New Year Banquet, attended by 140 people. February, 1997.
3. "Art Exhibition--Paintings by Qin Bai Lan" February, 1997.
4. "Chinese Music Festival," by Valley Chinese Children's Chorus. June, 1997.

1. Kwang Nan Chow, Department of Mathematics. To Beijing andYantai. July, 1996.
2. Alphonso Ratcliffe, College of Engineering and Computer Science. To Shenyang, Dalian, and Beijing on a World Bank Project Evaluation Study Tour. September, 1996.
3. Myrna Mandell, College of Business Administration and Economics. Workshops on Management in Shenzhen and Guangzhou. August, 1996.
4. Richard Lorentz, Department of Computer Science. Workshops on Computer Application in Education in Shanghai Institute of Education, Nanjing Institute of Education, and Nanjing Teachers University. September, 1996.
5. Ralph Vicero & I-Shou Wang, Department of Geography. To Beijing, Xi'an, Wuhan, Guilin, and Shanghai. October, 1996.
6. CSUN Delegation's Visit to China at the Special Invitation of the Chinese State Education Commission. The delegation consisted of President Blenda Wilson, her husband Dr. Louis Fair, Jr., Dr. Justine Su, and Dr. Elliot Mininberg. October, 1996.

1. Xi'an Physical Education Institute, Xi'an, October, 1996
2. Nanjing Teachers University, Nanjing, October, 1996
3. Nanjing Huayang Technology and Trade Corporation, Nanjing, October 1996
4. Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, October, 1996
5. Guangzhou Teachers University, Guangzhou, October, 1996
6. Tianjing University of Finance and Economics, Nov. 1996.

1. President Sun Tianyi, Xi'an Foreign Languages University, May, 1996.
2. Tianjing University of Finance and Economics, November, 1996.
3. Northwestern University, Shenyang, January 1997.
4. President Wang Zhen Zhong, Prof. Lu Tongqun, Director of Foreign Affairs, Nanjing Teachers University, April 28 to May 3, 1997.
5. Vice, President Tao Huang, Nanjing Normal University, June, 1997.
6. Guangzhou Educational Administrator Delegation (41 persons), headed by President Yunshen Chen of Guangzhou Normal University. June, 1997.

1. Professional Development Academy, a special summer training program for Chinese Educational Administrators from Guangzhou.
2. Training Program for World Bank Loan Office, Chinese State Education Commission
3. Collaborative research in teacher education and the training of educational administrators.

1. "Second U.S.-China Symposium on Human Geography: Retrospect, Prospect, and Application," Xi'an, June, 1997.
2. "Chinese Education Towards 21st Century," Hong Kong, August, 1997
3. "International Conference on Interuniversity Cooperation and Exchange," Beijing University, Beijing. August, 1997.

1. Lei Weiju, Deputy Division Chief, Guangzhou Municipal Government
2. Mang Daqing, Deputy Division Chief, Bureau of Education, Chinese National Ministry of Internal Trade
3. Liu Yong, Deputy Division Chief, Bureau of Education, Chinese National Ministry of Internal Trade
4. Wu Dong, Associate Professor, College of Business Administration and Economics, Yunan University
5. Zhao Lingjun, Lecturer, Department of Education, Xi'an Foreign Studies University

1. Yuan Hongyu, Associate Professor, Xinyang Teachers College
2. Wen Yan, Assistant Engineer, Guangxi Provincial Education Commission
3. Zhao Jiyuan, Lecturer, Guangxi Teachers College
4. Dong Hongxue, Lecturer, Suihua Teachers College
5. Liu Jianping, Lecturer, Heze Teachers College
6. Fu Shejiao, Lecturer, Xi'an Union University

The second important activity was the "The Second Sino-American Symposium on Human Geography" held on the campus of Xi'an Foreign Languages University (XFLU) in June, 1997. CSUN and XFLU, along with the Chinese Geographical Society, co-sponsored the Symposium. The three-day conference attracted scholars from all over the world including 47 geographers and scholars from overseas (e.g., U.S., Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan) and about 100 from China. CSUN sent a delegation of 14 faculty members, administrators, and their spouses. University officials included Provost Louanne Kennedy, Associate Vice President Mack Johnson, Dean William Flores of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Dr. I-Shou Wang, Chair of the Department of Geography. Dr. Wang was also one of the two chief organizers of the Symposium. Please see Appendix B (Report on the Symposium by Dr. Wang ) for details.

The third notable event was the establishment of the CSUN-Guangzhou International Professional Development Academy, co-sponsored here by the China Institute and the Center for Partnerships for Educational Reform and in China by Guangzhou Normal University and Guangzhou Education Commission. The Academy serves as an effective vehicle through which professional training and collaborative research projects are developed between CSUN and Guangzhou educational institutions and scholars. In June, 1997, the Guangzhou Educational Administrators' Delegation led by President Chen Yunshen of Guangzhou Normal University attended the first Academy training program at CSUN. 41 educational administrators from Guangzhou area including school principals, university professors, and municipal government officials as well as graduate students and Chinese visiting scholars from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at CSUN participated in the training program. The trainees attended workshops on the University campus, visited representative elementary, middle, and high schools as well as a community college and an occupational center, and enjoyed extensive discussions with educational leaders and practitioners in the local areas. They also visited the Federal Department of Education in Washington D.C. and several other cities in the U.S. Los Angeles Times and the Chinese newspaper, International Daily, both featured reports on their visits. A joint research project on the training of educational administrators in the U.S. and China is currently under way. Please see Appendix C for more detailed information.

C. Fiscal Summary (see next page)
 
 Zhixin Justine Su

SUMMARY OF THE CSUN DELEGATION'S VISIT TO CHINA OCTOBER 1996 PREPARED BY ZHIXIN JUSTINE SU AND ELLIOT MININBERG  

CSUN DELEGATION-

Dr. Blenda J. Wilson, President

Dr. Louis Fair, President Wilson's husband

Dr. Elliot 1. Mininberg, Professor of Education and Chair, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies; Director, Center for Partnerships for Educational Reform

Dr. Justine Zhixin Su, Professor of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies; Director,

CSUN China Institute

DATES AND CITIES VISITED IN CHINA

BEIJING October 18 - October 21

XI'AN October 22 - October 24

NANJING October 24 - October 26

GUANGZHOU October 26 - October 27

SHENGZHEN October 28

PREAMBLE

This visit to China was designed with several purposes in mind. The President of California State University, Northridge, Blenda J. Wilson, had not visited China since joining CSUN, and this visit provided an opportunity for her personal review of our several existing agreements with some of the many institutions in China with whom we collaborate. It also provided an opportunity for the President to sign two new agreements and two memos of understanding with five

institutions with whom we have worked but had not yet achieved a formal understanding.

The visit also provided an opportunity for discussion and exploration of the potential for the establishment of enhanced partnerships with selected institutions in China. There is particular interest in the establishment of Professional Development Academies to serve as conduits for the exchange of services, ideas, materials, scholars and students, and for the conduct of collaborative research, seminars, conferences, workshops and related professional activities.

This report is organized as a chronology from the day of our arrival to the day of our return. Each city that was visited is noted, and each institution is identified with a summary of the discussions held. In each case, we have tried to identify all of the participants from each institution as well. Throughout the report, all names of Chinese officials will be with last name first, as is customary in China.

As this report is reviewed, it is anticipated that the President will convene a meeting of those people at the University who might have specific interest in defined aspects of our proposed followup activities, and that Drs. Mininberg and Su, through the Center and the Institute. will continue to serve as institutional liasons to coordinate and implement the partnership collaborations that might flow from our deliberations. 

SUMMARY RFPORT BEIJING

October 18, Friday

The CSUN delegation was met by Mr. Wang Chengmao, Deputy Director of the Division of American and Oceanian Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, State Education Commission of China. Mr. Wang would serve as the official escort and interpreter for the CSUN delegation during its visit to Beijing, Xi'an and Nanjing. The delegation stayed at the Rainbow Hotel, a SinoJapanese joint venture, located at Tianqiao in Beijing.

Some time was spent that evening reviewing the itinerary for the delegation.

October 19, Saturday

The delegation used this day primarily to adjust to the difference in time zones, and to visit the Temple of Heaven. We were hosted at dinner on the Beijing University campus by Dr. Min Weifang, Vice President of Beijing University. With Dr. Min were his secretary, Ms. Lei Hong, and a friend of his from the United States, a former student from Beijing University. Dr. Min is a widely known expert on higher education reform in China, and a good deal of our conversation dealt with this topic.

October 20, Sunday

The delegation visited The Great Wall and the Stone Sculpture Road. We had dinner at the famous hot pot restaurant, Donglaishun, with Mr. Shao Jinrong, Director of Educational Research, National People's Congress. Mr. Shao is a renowned senior education administrator and policy researcher in China, specializing in higher education reform. He was formally Deputy Director for the Bureau of Educational Policy and Planning at the State Education Commission.

October 21, Monday

Morning:

The delegation met with Mr. Zhang Baoqin, Vice Minister of Education of the Chinese State Education Commission, and Dr. Zhong Binglin, Director General of the Department of Higher Education at the State Education Commission. Our discussion focused on China's educational system and current reform efforts being made. Some of the major points covered included:

1. The lack of adequate funding to move China ahead at a faster pace.
2. The emphasis being placed on the educational needs of minority and rural populations in China.
3. There are 40 million people in China who are considered illiterate. China has committed to reducing the illiterate population to 5% by the year 2000.
4. China has a plan to implement compulsory education for 85% of the population by the year 2000.
5. Emphasis being placed on the training of qualified teachers. There are 8 million teachers in China, and they are viewed as the key to reform.
6. China is attempting to accomplish reform in the administrative structure of their higher education system in order to meet the needs of the new market driven economy in connection with the socialist planned economy. They want to see increased sharing of resources among institutions of higher education, and they want to define a plan for decentralizing the education management power, moving from the central government to local governments and universities., There is some discussion of curricular and instructional reform and a restructuring of academic disciplines within higher education, and also discussion of reforming the job assignment system for higher education graduates. There is interest in reforming the system of entrance exams, tuition and scholarships for university students.
7. There is strong emphasis being put on vocational and technical education to meet the needs of the expanding Chinese economy. This area is to be very significant part of the reform movement. Reform measures will include speeding up the development of mid-level Ounior and senior high school level) vocational/technical education so that by the year 2000, 60% of the junior and senior high schools in China will be vocational/technical in nature. There is equally strong conviction for the development of vocational education at the higher education/community college level, and China is very interested in the American experience in this area. Mention was made of visiting some of the schools located in minority and poor areas of China to enhance appreciation for the challenges facing the reform efforts in China.

Lunch meeting:

Our lunch/meeting at the Hotel for Minority Nationalities was with Mr. Wang Yuanren, Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment and Loan Office of the State Education Commission, and Mr. Zong Gang, Deputy Chief for the Technical Assistance Division from the same office. Mr. Wang and Mr. Zong have visited CSUN many times and were among the key contacts for the "Science Teacher Educator Training Project" funded by the World Bank and sponsored by The China Institute in the early 1990's. They were also participants in the Comparative Education Forum at CSUN in 1993 where the Chinese visiting scholars in the project and the American scholars in comparative education shared their perspectives of the two educational systems. They are currently planning for three new World Bank funded projects

including: 1) "VocationallTechnical Education Reform Project" in which they will organize a principal's training program abroad for one month, and subsequently identify 60 "back-bone" teachers for training abroad:;2) "Basic Education Development Project" aimed at developing schools for the minority and poor areas in China: and 3) Teacher Training Project" aimed at training teachers for vocational&technical high schools.

Afternoon:

Vice President Min Weifang hosted a "Forum on Higher Education Reform in Comparative Perspectives" at Beijing University.

President Blenda J.Wilson delivered the keynote speech on higher education reform in America. Mr. Shao Jingrong, Director of Educational Research of the National People's Congress, delivered a speech on Current Reform in Chinese Higher Education Administration. Vice President Min Weifang delivered a speech on higher education reform in China from an institutional perspective. Approximately 100 higher education experts, professors and students from Beijing attended the Forum. Following the Forum, the CSUN delegation enjoyed a brief tour of the Beijing University campus.

Evening:

The delegation was able to continue its earlier discussion with Mr. Zhang Baoqin, Vice Minister of Education, at the official Welcoming Banquet he hosted at the Quanjude Peking Duck Restaurant. Dr. Zhong Binlin, Director General from the Department of Higher Education from the State Education Commission, Mr. Wang Chengmao and Mr. Tian from the Division of American and Oceanic Affairs, also attended this banquet.

October 22, Tuesday:

Morning:

The delegation visited the Beijing Institute of Technology, with which we have a formal Academic Exchange Agreement since 1981. Meeting with the delegation were Professor Wang Yue, President of BIT; Dr. Ning Ruxin, Professor and Vice President; Mr. He Zhongyi, Professor and Deputy Director of the Office of International Academic Exchange; and Mr. Wang Enlin from the Office of International Academic Exchange and Office of International Students. Topics and concerns discussed at the meeting included: 1) the possibility of collaborating in the establishment of an International School of Business, and more specifically in an International MBA program. (BIT is already collaborating with Germany in the training of business students.); 2) collaboration in computer and engineering fields with exchange of scholars and collaborative research; 3) CSUN students spending a semester or summer at BIT studying Chinese language and culture in which collaboration with other colleges/universities in other cities would be possible. In addition, the CSUN delegation discussed possible enhanced partnerships* through the following:

1. A Professional Development Academy for the training of educational administrators, government and private business enterprises, and factory administrators.
2. Development of a joint graduate degree program such as a joint master's degree program in educational administration and business.
3. The establishment of a community college at which workers could access vocational & technical and management training in hotel management, automobile technology, computer repair, etc..
4. ESL training and practice in the use of English for work environments.
5. Consultative services in education and business.
6. Student exchanges
7. Visiting scholar programs.
8. Collaborative research projects.
9. Exploration of possible funding sources, and how to cultivate and pursue them.

N.B. These same nine possible enhanced partnership issues were discussed with each institution with which we met throughout the remainder of the trip, They will be referred to but not repeated in each sections

The delegation was provided with a brief tour of some of the specialized technical areas at BIT. This was followed by a banquet hosted by President Wang Yue and attended by all of the people who were part of the morning session.

Afternoon:
After a brief visit to Tian An Men Square and some shopping in Wang Fu Jin Street, the delegation flew from Beijing to Xi'an.

Evening:
At the Xi'an airport, the delegation was met by Professor Yu Baozhu, Vice President of Xi'an Foreign Language University, and Ms. Mu Dan, a lecturer of English from the English Department at that university. We stayed at the Xi'an Hotel where we reviewed the planned activities with our hosts.

October 23, Wednesday

Morning: 
The delegation visited Xi'an Foreign Language University with which we have had a signed formal Academic Exchange Agreement since 1985. Our first stop was at the Foreign Language Elementary School attached to the University where we were greeted very warmly by the students.

The delegation then met with administrators and professors at the University. Present at the meeting were President Sun Tianyi, Executive Vice President Du Ruiqing (whose degree is from BYU in educational leadership), Vice President Yu Baozhu, Vice President Chang Zhengwen, and Mr. Li Huikang, Deputy of the Foreign Affairs Office. In addition to the nine enhanced partnership possibilities, our discussion included the following: 1) Second International Symposium on Human Geography, tentatively scheduled for June 1997 in Xi'an; 2) Continuation of visiting scholars program on each campus; 3) Third Intercollegiate Student Debate Tournament, to be held in Los Angeles. at a time to be set; 4) CSUN semester and summer programs at XFLU, possibly for credit; 5) Joint MA program in Human Geography; and 6) Exchange of resources for teaching and research.

The delegation met with a group of students from the English Department for a question and answer session. Student questions included:

1. What is the mission of the university?

2. How do you maintain standards in such a large university?

3. What is considered as success by young people in the United States.?

4. What are expectations from students from diverse

backgrounds?:

5. If America believes in equality for all people, why doesn't

everyone get treated equally?

President Wilson asked the students, " What would you like to do the most if you had the opportunity to visit the United States.?" The students replied that they would like to visit museums and galleries and meet lots of people so they could learn more about our culture. Dr. Mininberg asked them what their impression of the United States. was from what they had learned in China? The response was that they perceived the United States to be a somewhat hostile environment with materialistic goals as the principle motivator for young people, and while we were a multicultural society, we did not behave multiculturally.

The morning session concluded with President Sun Tianyi conferring an honorary professorship to President Wilson, toasted with Champaign by all. This was followed by a luncheon banquet at XFLU hosted by President Sun Tianyi.

Afternoon.-

The delegation visited the Qing Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, and the Shaanxi Historv Museum.

Evening:

There was a banquet at the Tang Dynasty Theater Restaurant hosted by President Sun Tianyi. President Sun Tianyi expressed interest in being a Senior Visiting Executive Scholar at CSUN after he retires from his presidency next year. President Wilson indicated a strong interest in pursuing this with him further as his retirement plans developed.

October 24, Thursday

Morning:

The delegation visited the Xi'an Physical Education Institute where we were welcomed by Mr. Su Mingli, Vice President, Mr. Jing Xuebin, Provost, Professor Quan Deqingg Assistant to the President, Mr. Wang Anchun, Director of the President's Office and Foreign Affairs Office, and Mr. Liu Guoyong, Deputy Director of the President's Office and Foreign Affairs Office. This Institute is one of the key sports colleges in China enjoying a fine reputation in teaching and research. In the past year, Mr. Wang, the Director for the two offices, had contacted Coach Lu Liangkang (Head Coach of the CSUN Women's Volleyball Team) regarding opportunities for academic exchange.

After discussion, possible collaborations were identified in teaching and- research activities with the faculties in our Athletics and Kinestology Departments. The Institute has a hospital on their campus specializing in research and physical therapy for sports injuries. President Wilson and Vice President Su signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the development of academic exchange relations and programs between the two institutions. The delegation was then treated to a magnificent performance of several students demonstrating Chinese martial arts.

The delegation then went on to the Shaanxi Teachers Universitv with which we have had an official Academic Exchange Agreement since 1981. We were greeted by Professor Liu Qianquang, Vice President of the University, Mr. Chen Zhenyi, Director of the Office of Academic Affairs, and Professor Huan Yixian, Director for Scientific Research. There was brief discussion of past and future collaborative efforts, and a visit to several classrooms and campus facilities. The University prides itself in being the most beautifully landscaped campus in this region of China and is a key teacher training university under the State Education Commission.

Since the retirement of the previous president, Professor Guojon Wang, we have not had many exchange activities with this university. Our hosts did not seem overly enthusiastic about

developing any new projects. Perhaps leadership is a key factor in where we can and cannot make real collaborations work! Our visit there concluded with a banquet hosted by Vice President Liu.

Afternoon:

The delegation flew from Xi'an to Nanjing where we were greeted at the airport by Professor Huang Tao, Vice President of Nanjing Teachers University and Mr. Wang Zenong, President of Nanjing Teachers College. We stayed at the Liu Yuan Hotel on the campus of the Southeast China University, a key university under the State Education Commission. Its Vice president was just promoted to the general director's role for the Department of Higher Education at the State Education Commission. A former president is now a vice minister of education at the State Education Commission. Both Professors Huang and Wang recently visited CSUN. Professor Wang was a visiting scholar at CSUN for a year for the World Bank funded Science Teacher Educator Training Project. Both Professors were key collaborators with Justine Su's comparative study of teacher education. CSUN has had a formal Academic Exchange Agreement with Nanjing Teachers College since 1995.

Evening:

Our hosts took us to dinner and a performance at the Wuan Qlng Restaurant along the Qinghuai River, a famous scenic spot in Nanjing. President Wilson won the "luckiest person at the table award", two singing crickets!

October 25. Friday

Morning:

The delegation's visit to Nanjing Teachers University began with a visit to the Li Xite Elementary School which is associated with the University. We were again very warmly welcomed by numerous smiling children chanting their greeting. This school is thought of as a key school in Nanjing and a model school for the district. The

Director of the District Education Bureau coincidentally was visiting this school at the time the delegation was there and we had the opportunity to chat with him about the general condition of education in the district. The principal of the school provided us with an introduction to the school, and then a young school girl presented President Wilson with a hand painted picture which she had done and which had won a national award in China. We were treated to a brief tour of the school and several classes.

At Nanjing Teachers University, the delegation met and discussed a variety of topics. We were hosted by Professor Wang Zhenzhong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the University, and Vice President Huang Tao. President Wilson and Professor Wang Zhenzhong signed a formal Agreement for Academic Exchange between Nanjing Teachers Universitv and CSUN.

In addition to the nine topics previously identified as the foundation for our discussions, we talked specifically about exchange projects including the following: 1) A continued exchange of visits by leaders of the two institutions to supplement the recent visit to CSUN by Professor Huang, and the current visit to NTU by President Wilson. President Wilson extended a personal invitation to President Wang to visit CSUN; 2) Continuation of collaborative educational research projects to build upon the notable comparative study of teacher education that Professor Su and Huang Tao have been collaborating on for the past two years; 3) Initiation of a new collaborative study comparing educational administrators in the two countries which both Professor Su and Professor Mininberg have a strong interest in pursuing; 4) The establishment of a Professional Development Academy to provide the structure f;gr joint training programs for educational administrators, particularly elementary and secondary school principals and administrators in local and provincial bureaus of education. This program would be an important first step in creating a significant and ongoing tire between educators in China and the United States. The program is envisioned to be initially housed at the NTU campus for several weeks where CSUN professors would join NTU faculty to provide intensive training I . n educational administration, comparative education theories, and ESL. This would be followed by a group of the Chinese educational administrators traveling to the United States. where they would be housed at CSUN for approximately a week to ten days. During this

time, structured seminars, meetings with professors and educational leaders, visits to schools, and exposure to our resource of video tapes and films will be the primary activities. for an exchange of experiences and insights. Our discussion included a commitment figr all costs to be covered by the Chinese side, with CSUN assisting in the costs of living in campus apartments during the summer. It is our expectation that a pilot for this program will be launched in the summer of 1997 with a cohort of 40 educational administrators currently enrolled in a special training program at NTU. The Nanjing Teachers College will also participate in this project. NTC hasa center for in-service training of educational administrators that offers programs not only for local educational administrators, but also for those from other regions throughout China, including minority and poor areas.; 5) Possible joint masters degree programs in educational administration as well as other fields of study in education; 6) A student exchange program in which CSUN students would have the opportunity to spend a summer or a semester at NTU learning the Chinese language, culture, arts, and music. It should be noted that NTU has the largest and finest Chinese language and cultural training programs for foreign students in all of South China (the one in the north is Beijing Language Institute). Only NTU and BLI are authorized to confer formal degrees in Chinese language and cultural learning to foreign students.; 7) Possible exchange of language faculty, including CSUN ESL faculty members as visiting professors at NTU, and NTU Chinese language and Culture faculty as visiting faculty at CSUN.; and 8) An exchange of students in different fields of study. It is envisioned that both institutions will provide tuition waivers and some on-campus work opportunities to assist with the costs for students.

We were treated to a lunch banquet at the NTU campus hosted by ProfessorWang and Professor Huang.

Afternoon:
The delegation visited the Nanjing Universitv of Science and Technology. NUST is one of the key universities in China and comparable to BIT in the north. Professor Su grew up on the campus of this university. Her mother graduated from the university when it was still a military academy, and her father was once a faculty member, department chair, and dean there. Her sister and

brother-in-law were both faculty members there before coming to the United States. As a result, Professor Su knows many of the faculty and administrators there quite well.

Needless to say we were greeted quite enthusiastically by Professor Li Hongzhi, President of NUST, Professor Xu Fuming, Vice President and Party Secretary of NUST, Professor Hong Huiming, Associate Dean for the School of Economic Management, and Mr Zhou Guanghua, Director for the Office for Foreign Exchange. Professor Li's introduction to the University was quite informative.

A formal ceremony was held at which a formal Agreement for Academic Exchange was signed by President Wilson and President Li for the two universities. In addition to the nine prepared areas for discussion, the delegation was able to explore the following topics: 1) Exchange of visits at any and all levels. NUST would like to send a high level delegation to CSUN; 2) CSUN to send ESL teachers to work at NUST; 3) CSUN to send professors in relevant disciplines, especially in business and economic management and engineering to work at NUST; 4) CSUN send students to study Chinese language and culture at NUST. They had such a program previously with Illinois University, but that ended in 1989; 5) A joint M.B.A. program. NUST is already collaborating with Paris Second University, funded by the French government, in the development of such a program, but NUST wants to have CSUN join the collaboration with some funding being secured from American business, especially the joint Sino-American ventures in China. The graduates of such a collaborative effort would be ideal candidates to work in joint ventures; 6) Joint academic conferences in different subject areas. NUST is an experienced host for such international gatherings; 7) The establishment of a resource center for the exchange of information and materials; 8) Organizing CSUN alumni for travel throughout China; 9) Developing teacher education programs to train teachers for vocational/technical schools and colleges; 10) Collaboration in research and development in computer and engineering fields.

After the discussion, the delegation toured the campus and facilities.

Evening

The dinner banquet was hosted by Vice President Xu, attended also by Professor Su's parents. The delegation had some time to visit privately with Professor Su's family after the banquet.

October 26, Saturday

Morning:

The delegation had a breakfast meeting at the Jingling Hotel with Ms. Liang Suhua, Director for the International Liason Department of Nanjing Federation of Trade Union and General Manager of Nanjing Huayang Technology and Trade Corporation. This was followed by a visit to the Nanjing Workers Universit-v site and the construction site of a four star hotel where some future classrooms of their university will be housed. This space was offered as the location for collaborative efforts that the Federation and Corporation want to initiate.

Our meeting continued at the NFTU office building in downtown Nanjing. Present at the meeting were Mr. Zhou Gouxiang, Vice Chairman of NFTU, and Mr. Tang Hegeng, President of Nanjing Workers University. Our discussions resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Nanjing Huayang Technology and Trade Corporation and CSUN for the planning and initiation of a Sino-American Professional Development Academv.

A luncheon banquet was hosted by NFTU.

Afternoon:
Members of the delegation spent a good portion of the afternoon working on the language for the MOU between CSUN and NFTU for the development of the Sino-American Professional Development Academv. The actual document incorporates ideas regarding the following: 1) A plan for the future growth ' of the Academy to a capacity of 2000 faculty, staff, and students within ten years; 2) A commitment from each partner to work to the highest levels of excellence and reputation; 3) A financial and budget plan based on the principle of mutual benefit, 4) A plan for student and faculty exchanges, delegation visitations, and collaborative research activities; 5) A plan for the creation o an official certificate honoring the participants in the Academy's programs; 6) A method for academic planning with regard to curriculum, teaching, enrollment, and accountability; 7) An Advisory Board made up of representatives from Nanjing HuaYang Technology and Trade Corporation, CSUN, and members drawn from local corporate environments served by the graduates of this program will be appointed within one year of the date of the signing of this agreement. The function of this Advisory Board will be to help guide the planning for the future of the Sino-American Professional Development Academy.

It is expected that a proposal for the specific development of this academy will be completed this winterlspring, and a delegation from NFTU may visit CSUN next summer to sign the formal agreement for the establishment of the Academy. A pilot program within the construct of the Academy may be conducted summer 1997.

Evening:

The delegation left Nanjing to travel to Guangzhou.We were met at the airport by President Zhang Guoyang of the Guangzhou Teachers University, and Mr. Wu Meng, Director of the President's Office. We were treated to a midnight snack and an extraordinary lecture on Chinese food, nutrition, and medecine by Mr. Wu.

October 27, Sunday

Morning:

The delegation met with administrators and faculty from Guangzhou Teachers University. There was good discussion of exchange programs between the two universities. The specific topics covered especially ideas relating to the establishment of a Professional

Development Academy for the training of educational administrators, were very much like those discussed at the Nanjing Teachers University. A pilot program for educational administrative training will be conducted summer]997 and a visiting scholar from GTU will come to CSUN next year to collaborate with education faculty on comparative research.

A formal ceremony was held for the signing of the official Agreement on Academic Exchange between CSUN and GTU, and it was attended by Mr. Wu Dong, Deputy Mayor of Guangzhou, Mr. Zhang Tailing, Deputy Director of the Provincial Bureau of Higher Education, Mr. Liang Rexin, Deputy Director of the Municipal Education Commission, and numerous education representatives from Zhongshan University, South China Teachers University, Guangzhou Physical Education Institute, Jinan University, as well as others. The local TV station and three local newspapers reported the event. A letter from Mayor Riordan of Los Angeles to the Mayor of Guangzhou was hand delivered by President Wilson. Guangzhou and Los Angeles have been sister cities for ten years.

The lunch banquet held for the delegation was hosted by the Guangzhou Teachers University.

We were able to have a brief meeting with Professor Chen Shuhua, President of the Guangzhou Physical Education Institute which has a formal Academic Exchange Agreement with CSUN. We briefly discussed academic and student exchange possibilities.

Afternoon:
The delegation spent the afternoon sightseeing in Guangzhou.

Evening:
The banquet for the delegation was hosted by Deputy Director Liang Rexin representing the Guangzhou Education Commission.

October 28, Monday

Morning:
The delegation visited a middle school affiliated with the Guangzhou Teachers University.

Afternoon:
The delegation traveled to Shengzhen, the Special Economic Zone next to Hong Kong. We met with Ms. Lu Youzhen, Chairwoman of the Board for the Zhonghao Ltd. Corporation. We visited the corporate offices of the Zhonghao Corporation and discussed with the Chairwoman and several company executives the economic development of China and the possibility of establishing some training programs for the company managers and staff.

We also had a brief meeting with Ms. Emily Hu, Director of International Affairs of the Shengzhen Foreign Language School about possible exchange programs. Possible ESL training programs for Chinese faculty in Shengzhen and short training programs for Chinese students coming to Los Angeles were also discussed.

Evening:

The delegation attended a banquet in their honor hosted by Ms. Lu in one of her four Seafood Market Restaurants in Shengzhen. We stayed that night in Ms. Lu's five star hotel, Fuling Hotel, in Shengzlien.

October 29, Tuesday.
The delegation traveled from Shengzhen to Hong Kong, and flew from Hong Kong directly to Los Angeles.

A Summary of Training Programs Organized by the CHINA INSTITUTE,  CSUN

A  SUMMARY  OF THE  PAST  TRAINING  PROGRAMS  ORGANIZED  BY  THE  CHINA  INSTITUTE :

One of the activities that the China Institute has engaged in is to organize special training programs as requested by different agencies in China.  In each case, the program director and co-directors have to set up special courses, arrange field trips to colleges, high schools and particular facilities in southern California area.  Since most of the special classes requested do not coincide with the regular courses offered in our curriculum,  many professors in almost all our colleges (Arts,  Business,  Education,  Media, Sciences etc.) have devoted extra energy and time to provide courses particularly tailored to their needs.

Field trips and visits to schools and facilities have also involved many kind and generous supervisors and managers in our neighboring communities.  It is with deep appreciation that we acknowledge the help from all those involved.

In addition, many faculty volunteered to extend warm hospitality during the holiday seasons, or to be host families, or give the visiting scholars orientation to the American customs and culture.

NOTES:   

**1SEdC  =  State Education Commission, People's Republic of China

(Later known as Chinese Ministry of Education)

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**2  SEdC , World Bank =  World Bank has supported this AEdC program with a loan.

**3  FAD               = Foreign Affairs Office

**4   Co-Organized by the Center for Partnerships for Education Reform, College of Education