Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing Ceremony between Shenzhen University (SZU), the Center on Chinese Education, Teachers College, Columbia University (CoCE), and GEC Advanced Studies Institute (GEC-ASI)
On 28 June 2022, GEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shenzhen University (SZU) and the Center on Chinese Education, Teachers College, Columbia University (CoCE) at a virtual signing ceremony officiated by Sheng (Edison) Yan, President of GEC Academy and Executive Director of GEC-Advanced Studies Institute (GEC-ASI). The partnership aims to establish a collaboration between the three institutions for international cultural, educational, and training cooperation. Specifically, GEC will jointly design, facilitate and organize training programs and other academic and cultural exchange activities between Shenzhen University and the Center on Chinese Education, Teachers College, Columbia University.
Dr. Henry M. Levin, the William Heard Kilpatrick Professor of Economics and Education at Columbia University's Teachers College, and Professor Henan Cheng, Deputy Director of CoCE, both expressed in their speech that they believe this is an ideal partnership in that all can share ideas with each other. “We are partners and we want to emphasize the partner title because partner means you learn, and we want to learn,” said Professor Levin, who highlighted several times in his speech regarding his strong belief in partners.
SZU, being one of the most innovative institutions in Mainland China, with its headquarters in Shenzhen, China's first Special Economic Zone, recognizes that teachers' ability to teach and lead is a key component in improving the quality of instruction, and is aware of the enormous influence these instructors may have on educational innovation and transformation. Drawn upon the academic richness and expertise of the faculty at Teachers College, Columbia University, as well as the historically special relationship between Chinese education and Teachers college, the Center on Chinese Education, Teachers College Columbia University (CoCE), has carried out long-term academic research, education, and training, as well as outreach and exchange and other activities. By marrying the desires of Shenzhen University’s plan to create meaningful professional development with TC's expertise in adult learning and leadership, the Ten-Week Online Program on Instruction and Leadership Development held this past spring marked the first time collaboration between three parties (Read More).
In the next few years, GEC will be expecting more academic and research opportunities created by the institutional affiliations. We look forward to expanding our activities together with SZU and CoCE with an aim to promote connections between institutions across the globe.