Contrast in US and China Higher Education

Presented to Chinese Delegation from Chengdu Sichuan China

By Dr. David Ming Liu on 9.25.13College of Education, George Fox University

Confucius said: “Isn't it also great when friends visit from distant places?

OverviewI. Self Introduction

II. Difference in Higher Education in using George Fox University (GFU) and Hengyang Normal University (HYNU)

III. Q & A

Born in White Clouds Village, Hengyang County, Hunan, China in 1965. Obtained English teaching certificate in Hengyang Normal University in China in 1986, BBS in Western Oregon University in 1992, MBA from Willamette University in 1994, Doctor of Business Administration from City University of Hong Kong in 2010.Currently as Assistant Professor of Management at College of Business, teaching Strategic Management, Management Principle, Global Business, International Management.

II. Contrast in Three Major Areas

Educational Ideals

Teaching Methods

Educational Outcomes

US Higher Education OverviewNumbers of colleges and universities: 4495 (2-

year 1721; 4-year 2774)Students: 20 million students in 2009Chinese students in US: 723,000 as of 2012Status and Trends in the Education of Racial and Ethnic

Groups (Source: United States Department of Education – 2008)RACE 2-year 4-year MasterProfessional TOTAL

Asians 6.9% 31.6% 14.0% 6.4% 58.9%Whites 9.3% 21.1% 8.4% 3.1% 41.9%Blacks 8.9% 13.6% 4.9% 1.3% 28.7%Am.Indians 8.4% 9.8% 3.6% 1.4% 23.2%Hispanics 6.1% 9.4% 2.9% 1.0% 19.4%

Difference in Educational IdealsUSA: “convey knowledge to comprehend the world”GFU vision: To become the "Christian university of choice" for Christ followers and world changers.Mission: GFU, a Christ-centered community, prepares students spiritually, academically, and professionally to think with clarity, act with integrity, and serve with passion.Values: Students First; Christ in Everything; Innovation to Improve Outcomes

China: “learning as means to develop inner virtue”Hengyang Normal University (HYNU): 厚德 博学 砺志 笃行Loyalty to party, country, and nationality

Views on EducationAn education isn't how much you have

committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you know and what you don't. Anatole France 

If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people. Chinese Proverb

 

II. Teaching Methods DifferenceUS Classroom: participation, discussion, freedom of expression, critical thinking, creativity, debates, projects, presentation, case study, speakers

Chinese classroom: heavy concepts, rote learning, memorization…

Causes for the Different Method:USA and ChinaPower Distance: Low vs. HighIndividualism vs. CollectivismUncertainty Avoidance: Low vs. HighDemocracy vs. Chinese One Party RuleFreedom vs. RestraintEquality vs. HierarchyDiversity vs. Unity: Multiculture/single

III. Educational OutcomesUSA: holistic approach. PEGSS at GFU College of Business:Professionally competenceEthically groundedGlobally engagedSocially responsibleServant leaders

HYNU China: 育人为本，德育为先 ; 把学生培养成为有理想、有道德、有文化、有纪律的“四有”新人，培养成为德智体美全面发展的社会主义事业合格建设者和可靠接班人。

III. Questions? .