Education systems must deal with globalisation and cultural blending

Education systems must deal with globalisation and cultural blending

China and western countries alike have to develop educational systems to deal with the processes of globalisation, immigration, cultural blending, collaboration and change, according to a University of Queensland academic.

The knowledge and information transfer model of the post-war period was no longer relevant, Graduate School of Education head Professor Allan Luke said.

Speaking at the 20th anniversary conference for the re-establishment of the China National Institute of Educational Research, Professor Luke said locally and regionally developed, culturally appropriate and sustainable approaches to education were needed instead.

Around 200 leading researchers from all Chinese provinces attended the Beijing conference. The China Institute of Educational Research (CNIER) was founded in 1957 but was disbanded during the Cultural Revolution with many of its members sent to the country to work.

Located in Beijing, it was re-established in 1978, and since has become the peak research body in the country. It is undertaking major research projects on rural education, adult education, literacy and, working with organisations like APEC and the OECD,
performance indicators in education.

Its senior Vice-President, Professor Zhou Nan Zhou, has just been appointed Education Project Director of UNESCO Bangkok.

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