August 31, 2004 > Chinese and Ohlone Exchange Educational Ideas

East met west on Thursday, August 26th, as a group of Chinese delegates from the province of Zhejing and the city of Taizhou visited Ohlone College's Nursing Skills Lab at Washington Hospital. In town to discuss the possibility of forming a cooperation agreement between Ohlone and their districts, the officials are hoping that Ohlone will assist in their effort to improve their local schools.

Looking to close the gap in the higher education system of China, the delegation, consisting of politicians and educators, feels Ohlone is an example of a successful community college and would like to see the same back home.

In China, it is difficult for students who attend technical school to further their education at a four-year University. The Chinese officials hope to change this by possibly creating a community college system in their country.

Creating a community college system in the city of Taizhou could prove to be a challenge with a population of 5 million, twenty-five times that of Fremont. The college in Taizhou would serve 100,000 students and consist of a core campus with nine additional campuses. In contrast, Ohlone has two campuses serving approximately 10,000 students.

The meeting at the Washington Hospital based Richard M. Warren Nursing Skills Lab for Ohlone College Health Sciences was an opportunity not only for the Chinese delegates to learn about educational practices in the United States, but, also, to view the high quality equipment used by the students.

The tour ended on Friday with Ohlone President Doug Treadway and the delegates signing an agreement to formalize the cooperation between the two groups. Through the support of Ohlone, and with the financial backing of their own city, the students of Taizhou may soon be roaming the halls of their own community college.