21 Oct 2019
Cambridge International, East China Normal University Education System (ECNU Education System) and Dipont Education have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the professional development of Chinese bilingual teachers in Shanghai.
Saul Nassé, Chief Executive of Cambridge Assessment, Dai Liyi, Vice President of ECNU and Director of the Education System, and Benson Zhang, CEO of Dipont Education attended the meeting and signed the agreement. New collaboration on bilingual teacher professional development in Shanghai
It was Saul Nassé’s first visit to China as Chief Executive of Cambridge Assessment, and he commented on how highly he valued this tripartite cooperation. He said: ‘Cambridge qualifications are the most widely used international qualification in China. And about two years ago, we changed our name from Cambridge International Examinations to Cambridge Assessment International Education, to better describe who we are and what we do - we are more than an exam board, and we support teachers in every stage of their professional development, from novice teacher to experienced teachers.
‘We provide subject training to teachers, as well as general pedagogy. We also provide certificates and diplomas to international teachers across the world.
'China has a long tradition of valuing education very highly, and parents have big expectation of their children’s education. Chinese schools made a lot of effort in teachers’ professional development. The achievement of Shanghai in PISA test is a good indication that Shanghai did an excellent job in teaching and research in K12 stage.
'We would like to work with Chinese institutions more closely and learn from each other, to improve the education exchange and professional dialogue between Cambridge International and China.
'I also heard that there is a common concern that a shortage of high-qualified teachers (can slow) growth in China, as well as other countries. We want to work with Chinese institutions such as East China Normal University Education System and Dipont Education to address this concern and provide a high quality in-service teachers education programme.'
Mr Feng, Executive Deputy Director of ECNU Education System, said working with Cambridge International and Dipont Education can not only help teachers master world-class teaching methods by equipping them with modern education theories, but will also motivate them to reflect their experience and wisdom of Chinese education, which is of great significance to talent development and education internationalisation in China and the world at large.
Mr Zhang, CEO of Dipont Education, said it was a pleasure to work with top universities in China and the UK. 'The curriculum development and academic management team of Dipont, which consists of Chinese and foreign education experts, will cooperate with the academic experts of ECNU Education System and Cambridge International,' he said.
'Integrating the teacher standards of China and the UK, the three parties will devise a professional development system for the teachers and administrators, which we hope will contribute to the healthy development of China’s international education. We aim to provide high-quality courses and high-level service for the operators, practitioners, management and evaluators in the school sector in China.'
Photograph shows from left to right: Liyi Dai, Vice President of East China Normal University (ECNU) and Director of the ECNU Education System; Saul Nassé, Chief Executive of Cambridge Assessment and Benson Zhang, CEO of Dipont Education