The workshop on the topic of Liberal Art Education in Chinese Universities was held at UIC from November 16-19. It was cosponsored by United International College (UIC), Hong Kong American Center, Minnesota Private Colleges Council (MPCC), and Fulbright Program. Distinguished scholars made theme speeches in relation to Liberal Arts Education and its implementation in China.
In the opening address, UIC Executive Vice-President Prof. Kwok Siu Tong gave a brief review on the dramatic change which China had experienced in the past 30 years, and then he pointed out that, the education in China had changed from elite education to mass education, and general education was becoming more and more important. As China had entered WTO, its education services had to be open up as well. UIC served as a pioneer in this sense, for its dedicated efforts in building up a liberal arts educational institution, with highly internationalized teaching resources. Prof. Kwok said he would be very happy to share UIC's experience, and the attendance of so many scholars from MPCC and the Fulbright Program added greatly to the significance of this workshop, for which he was grateful.
Executive Director of Hong Kong American Center Dr. Glenn Shive said Liberal Arts Education was a global process, and it was different in China than its was in the U.S. or Europe. The biggest issue was how to square Liberal Arts Education into the Chinese political and cultural environment. However, Dr. Glenn Shive pointed some basic elements or Liberal Arts Education, such as the broadness of study, different skills like communication skills and problem solving skill, innovation, civic value, and physical and mental health, etc.
Dr. Eugene Eoyang, Emeritus Professor from Lingnan and Indiana Universities shared the "ABCs" of Lingnan University's Whole Person Education. He said at Lingnan University, General Education taught students to Analyze, Articulate ad Adapt. The Liberal Arts Curriculum developed Breadth, Balance and Brainpower, and they sought to foster Character, Commitment and Courage.
Prof. Xu Huixuan from Hong Kong Institute of Education talked about the launching of the Yuanpei College in Peking University. She said general education in Peking University was under constant reforms, while Yuanpei College was established on the basis of a pilot program that was initially tentative, marking the epoch that the reform in undergraduate education of Peking University has come to a new stage.
The workshop of the Liberal Arts Education in Chinese Universities was a three-day event. In the evening of 16 Nov, the 24th UIC High Table Dinner was organized to welcome the workshop participants and Dr. Larry Goodwin, Present of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, together with Dr. Linda Hanson, President of Hamline University gave guest speeches. On the 17th Nov, the 3rd Annual MPCC-UIC Presidential Lectures were held where honorable speakers talked about "Quality and High Impact Leaning in the Liberal Arts". Fulbright Scholars shared their perspectives on how to build the General Education Programs on Nov 17 and Nov 18 mornings.
The workshop attracted great social attention, participants included representatives from the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou, Sun Yat-sen University, Shoutou University, etc.
Reporter: Richard Xu
Photo by Elaine Hong
Media and Communication Office
