On August 25, a delegation comprising Professor Hu Guoyong, Deputy Director of the Teacher Education Centre under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO TEC); Associate Professor Yan Wenle, Deputy Director of the International Centre for Teacher Education at Shanghai Normal University (SHNU); and Professor Yang Fan, Deputy Director of the Academic Affairs Office at SHNU and Adjunct Researcher of UNESCO TEC, visited the College of Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The delegation engaged in exchange activities and held discussions on new cooperation initiatives.
Dean Nathan M. Murata of the College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, warmly received the UNESCO TEC team. After listening to introductions of the Centre’s various teacher exchange programs, Dean Murata noted that Hawaii is also facing a teacher shortage, and proposed that the two sides explore cooperation in areas such as international teacher training and student exchanges.
Subsequently, the UNESCO TEC delegation held exchanges with faculty members from the College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, with the seminar moderated by Professor Xu Di from the university.
Professor Hu Guoyong and Associate Professor Yan Wenle introduced the Centre’s work in knowledge production, capacity building, technical support, and information sharing, with a focus on its international organization cooperation projects and international teacher training programs. They expressed their intention to collaborate with the University of Hawaii on teacher training and research, and warmly welcomed faculty from the university to visit UNESCO TEC. Professor Yang Fan shared the latest developments in teacher education at SHNU and discussed the potential for joint student cultivation between the two universities. Dr. Ivy Mu, Director of Global Partnerships at the University of Hawaii, and other representatives introduced the university’s disciplinary distribution, talent development initiatives, and various teacher education programs. Dr. Ivy Mu, who had previously visited UNESCO TEC, stated that her trip to Shanghai had given her a new understanding of China’s teacher education, which she found highly valuable. She also welcomed more faculty from UNESCO TEC to participate in academic conferences in Hawaii in the future and expressed expectations for greater cooperation in teacher exchanges.
In conclusion, Professor Xu Di from the College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, delivered a speech, noting that the exchange had deepened mutual understanding. She expressed hope that the two sides would successfully advance the cooperative initiatives already agreed upon and expand collaboration into more areas.
The University of Hawaii at Manoa is the flagship university of the University of Hawaii System. Its College of Education undertakes teacher education and educational research tasks for the State of Hawaii, and serves as a key hub for teacher education in the Pacific Rim, providing training and consulting for teacher education and educational development in Pacific island countries. This exchange visit has strengthened mutual understanding and laid the groundwork for future cooperation.
(Photos & Text | Teacher Education Centre under the auspices of UNESCO)
