Exeter’s education research boosted by China partnership

Professor Tang Mingjian, Vice President of East China Normal University was accompanied by four colleagues from the College of Preschool and Special Education. They met with academics from the Graduate School of Education at the University of Exeter to discuss joint research. Possible projects arising include a cross-cultural study of Special Education provision in China and England, looking at teachers’ understanding of inclusion; and a research study on play in the Chinese cultural context. Exeter will be willing to offer a scholarship for a doctoral student from China, as well as exploring curriculum exchange and joint workings on conferences and journal articles.

Professor Debra Myhill, Head of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Exeter says: “We educationalists enjoyed meeting our contemporaries from China, and look forward to working together to further our understanding in the areas of special education and early years’ research. This boosts our existing international links with the Gulf, Chile, Nigeria, Mongolia and many other places around the world.

East China Normal University is in Shanghai and has 28,545 students (Exeter has 15,525). It has the top-rated education department in China. Exeter is third in this year’s Good Teacher Training Guide and 90% of its research is rated as of international quality. Like Exeter, East China Normal University is renowned for its beautiful campus. It teaches 20% of courses in English.

Dr Shaun Curtis, Director of International Exeter says: “It is encouraging that such a fruitful collaboration is now possible as China underpins the University of Exeter’s commitment to internationalisation. Broadening and deepening research links with academics from East China Normal University facilitates our drive to become one of the world’s leading universities. We look forward to supporting these links and expanding the range of partnerships between the universities in the future.