To commemorate the 100 anniversary of the International Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University, the Center on Chinese Education (CoCE) and the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) organized a symposium titled “Cross-Fertilization’ of Culture and Education for the Common Good” on December 8th, 2023.

The symposium speakers included President Thomas Bailey, Teachers College, Columbia University; Professor KerryAnn O’Meara, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost and Dean of Teachers College; Consul General Ping Huang of the Chinese Consulate General in New York; Prof. Mingyuan Gu, key founder of contemporary comparative and international education in China; Prof. Weifang Min, distinguished professor and former university leader of Peking University; Prof. Jun Li, President of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES); Mr. Georg S. Geh, CEO of China Institute in America; Prof. Hervé Varenne, Chair of the Department of International and Transcultural Studies at Teachers College, and other renowned guests from the U.S. and China. They come from leading institutions in the field of CIE in China and the U.S., including Peking University, Beijing Normal University, Tsinghua University, Central China Normal University, Zhejiang University, and the China Institute.

At the beginning of the symposium, Mr. Amine Mechaal from OGE and Dr. Henan Cheng from CoCE referred to the legacy of Paul Monroe and his invaluable contribution to international education. Provost O’Meara emphasized the impact of the International Institute, pointing out that the institute had a far-reaching impact on international education globally and that it attracted many international students to Teachers College (TC) and enriched academic exchanges.   

                           

Provost O’Meara emphasized the impact of the International Institute

Consul General Huang emphasized that U.S.-China educational cooperation should be based on the principles of mutual respect and peace; advocating for a mutually beneficial relationship; proposing to strengthen institutional partnerships; promoting high-level research cooperation; and increasing bilateral interactions to deepen understanding.   

                         

Consul General Huang advocated more U.S.-China educational cooperation and exchanges

In the keynote--speech session, Prof. Weifang Min, distinguished professor and former university of Peking University, suggested that the best way to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the International Institute was to continue the legacy of Monroe and the Institute, fostering international understanding and friendship among the people of the world. Prof. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, founding director of the International Interfaith Research Lab at Teachers College shared her research on fostering resistance to hate and creating community connections, emphasizing the problem of identity-based prejudice. Mr. George S. Geh, CEO of China Institute, described their institute’s mission, which included strengthening ties between the U.S. and China, assisting Chinese students, and continuing cross-cultural education and exchanges.

                           

Prof. Weifang Min, former president of Peking University, advocated continuing Paul Monroe’s and the International Institute’s legacy

                           

Prof. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess shared her research on reimaging resilience to hate and creating community connections

The keynote address was followed by a presentation and panel discussion session titled “Bridging the Gap of International Education in High Education Towards an Inclusive, Collaborative, and Globally Aware Future.” Prof. Jun Li, President of CIES, discussed the role of higher education in promoting the common good, emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding and global governance. Prof. David Hansen, Professor of Philosophy and Education at TC, explored the connection between cosmopolitanism and education. Prof. Zhongying Shi, Dean and Professor of the Institute of Education, Tsinghua University, discussed the significance of the “ren” by Confucius in modern education.

                          

Prof. David Hansen explored the connection between cosmopolitanism and education

                         

Prof. Zhongying Shi discussed the significance of the “ren” by Confucius in modern education

After the panel discussion, President Thomas Bailey of Teachers College expressed his deep appreciation for the distinguished guests. He emphasized the importance of US-China cooperation and suggested that international collaboration was not the only gateway to global development, but also the key to TC’s future growth. In the face of global challenges, he pointed out the need for TC to rethink its international education strategy and launch new initiatives to evoke more collaboration and promote international cooperation and global education.

                       

President Thomas Bailey emphasized the importance of international cooperation and education

                     

Guest speakers in the morning session of the Symposium

After lunch, Prof. Mingyuan Gu, senior professor at Beijing Normal University, an important founder of CIE and Honorary President of the Chinese Society of Education; Prof. Henry Levin, Professor Emeritus of Economics of Education at TC; and Prof. Ruth Hayhoe, from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, shared their profound insights in three recorded videos. They used their own life stories to highlight the significance of global education and encouraged educators and practitioners to connect people and cultures through international education and communication.

                     

Dr. Teng Jun and Dr. Henan Cheng showed a calligraph artwork by Prof. Mingyuan Gu

The symposium was followed by academic presentations and panel discussions themed “Unraveling the Complexity of International Education from Interdisciplinary Perspectives.” Prof. Liu Baocun, Dean of the Institute of International and Comparative Education at Beijing Normal University, discussed the challenges facing the education system today and suggested that educational goals and organizations need to be reshaped to meet individual needs and social change. Prof. Hervé Varenne, Senior Professor of Anthropology and Education and Chair of the Department of International and Intercultural Studies at TC, shared his personal experience as a French student doing research in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of interaction and understanding between different cultural backgrounds.

                     

Prof. Hervé Varenne shared his personal experience as a French student in the U.S.

                     

Prof. Liu Baocun discussed the challenges facing the education system today 

Prof. Kan Yue, Dean of the School of Education at Zhejiang University, first introduced the origins of and connections between TC and the School of Education at Zhejiang University and proposed a model for the cultivation of international competence that is suitable for Chinese students. Prof. Yu Zhang, Associate Dean of the Institute of Education, Tsinghua University, shared the practice and research of Tsinghua’s Future Education Program. She shared Tsinghua’s research and findings on leveraging AI and future education to address the stated challenges.

                     

     Prof. Kan Yue proposed a model for developing Chinese students’ global competence 

                     

Panel discussion on international education from interdisciplinary perspectives

In the third panel discussion themed “Global Education: Practices and Perspectives from International Organizations”, experts from five renowned international organizations explored global challenges and trends in education. The moderator, Ms. Shenzhan Liao, led an in-depth discussion on current approaches to global education, philosophical contexts, and future paradigms of education and learning. Panelists included Mr. Nicolas Reuge, Senior Specialist in Education, UNICEF; Dr. Mirka Martel, Institute of International Education; Professor Michael Adewumi, Executive Vice President of IES Abroad; and Dr. Yuting Li, Officer at Henry Luce Foundation. The discussions covered a wide range of topics such as access to quality education, urban-rural education gaps, standardized testing, student mental health, the digital divide, and teacher professional development. Besides, participants explored the role of education in global governance and China’s position in international organizations. Finally, the discussion focused on how to address these challenges and trends through educational research and practices.

                     

The panel discussion about practices and perspectives from international organizations

                   

OGE and CoCE presented awards to important global partners

The symposium reflected on the International Institute's historic achievements and the longstanding U.S.-China educational collaboration. It explored the ongoing role of international education in bridging cultures, fostering innovation, and contributing to societal well-being. Emphasizing the urgency of US-China educational cooperation in today's globalized world, the event, co-organized by CoCE and OGE, united scholars worldwide to discuss crucial topics like the impact of international education, cross-cultural communication, education quality, and global governance. Serving as a platform for collaborative reflection, it ignited participants' enthusiasm for international education development. Looking ahead, the focus remains on promoting educational cooperation, facilitating the exchange of ideas, and nurturing globally competent talents. President Bailey underscored educational education and collaboration as not just a gateway to global development but a key to TC's future. To address global challenges, the commitment involved adapting educational strategies, launching innovative initiatives, and fostering reflection to advance international cooperation and global education prosperity.

                     

The guest speakers in the afternoon session of the Symposium

 

Symposium News Coverage (in Chinese and English) 

 

Tags: International Education International Education

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