On joint-programs in China - development, challenges and suggestions

Purpose - Since the 1980s, and especially after China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1991, international educational collaborations have developed in China. Spurred by economic, cultural and educational factors, joint programs have become an essential supplement to Chinese e...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:On the horizon 2012-09, Vol.20 (4), p.293-304
Main Authors: Cuiming, Gao, Feng, Yuhong, Henderson, Fiona
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asian students
Councils
Doctoral Programs
Education reform
Educational Change
Educational Demand
Educational Innovation
Educational quality
Educational Resources
Global citizenship
Globalisation
Globalization
International cooperation
International education
International educational exchange
Language Proficiency
Language Tests
Overseas qualifications
Partnerships in education
Students
Study abroad
Teaching
Undergraduate Study
Universities
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Purpose - Since the 1980s, and especially after China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1991, international educational collaborations have developed in China. Spurred by economic, cultural and educational factors, joint programs have become an essential supplement to Chinese education. Despite the obvious and diverse benefits brought about by joint programs, various challenges arise. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the benefits and challenges generally and then in a more targeted way through the lens of one Sino-Australian partnership.Design methodology approach - This paper uses a case study of one joint Australia-China program to explore the development, benefits and challenges of joint programs in China and suggest how to improve the overall quality of the joint programs which will further international collaboration of educational institutions in China.Findings - Joint programs are a strategic component of the expansion and globalization objectives of the Chinese government. They offer more opportunities for Chinese students to receive an overseas education, enhance the research profile of Chinese universities and promote new ways of teaching and learning. For the Australian government, transnational education and the model of joint programs are helping to build Australia's research reputation, develop alternative teaching and learning ideas and promote global citizenship. Challenges include linguistic issues, financial problems, inefficient management, program assessment, qualifications, skills of teaching staff and different ways of thinking.Practical implications - Enhancing pedagogical quality within a business paradigm is a unifying imperative.Originality value - The paper presents a new case study analysis for joint program educators and decision makers.
ISSN:1074-8121
2054-1708
DOI:10.1108/10748121211272434