Monday 12th October 2006
CHINESE EDUCATION CHIEFS ON FACT FINDING TRIP TO CALDERDALE COLLEGE

A high level delegation of policy makers from the Zhejiang province of China visited Calderdale College today on a vocational education and training fact finding trip.

The group of ten visitors, including Mr Bao Xuejun, deputy director general of Zhejiang Provincial Education Commission and Mr Guo Shenchu, secretary general of the Chinese Student Sports Association, took special interest in the college’s programmes in sport, health and social care, brickwork, electrical, plumbing and business. They met senior staff, facilitated by an interpreter, before travelling to Leeds Civic Hall for a development meeting with other further education colleges from across the Yorkshire and Humber region.

“Calderdale College is the lead college in this initiative, along with Park Lane College in Leeds”, explained Elena Nikoulina, international marketing officer at Calderdale College. “We’re aiming to establish a long term strategic partnership between Zhejiang Province and colleges in Yorkshire and Humber, creating links between Chinese and UK schools, colleges and businesses. The benefits of such a partnership were evident following a trade visit to China in June, organised by Leeds Chamber of Commerce, and we have successfully applied for Government funding on behalf of other colleges in the region.”

Monica Box, principal of Calderdale College, added: “The Chinese government is currently prioritising the development of vocational education and training and Zhejiang is one of the most forward-looking of the Chinese provinces with the will and financial ability to develop at the cutting edge of educational provision. UK Trade and Investment already has involvement with business development there, and our new links can only serve to strengthen that. Sharing our model for vocational education and training is about sharing best practice and we know that we have a great deal to offer China.”