For immediate release- November 21, 2006
For more information contact Amy Pszczolkowski

Asnuntuck Community College signs Chinese sister school agreement with Qingdao Vocational and Technical College in China

Enfield, CT—On November 9, 2006, President McLeod of Asnuntuck Community College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a sister college relationship between Qingdao Vocational and Technical College (QVTC) of Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China and Asnuntuck Community College. As part of the Connecticut Educational Leadership Delegation 2006, President McLeod traveled to China with 21 other educational leaders and consultants.

Accompanying President McLeod to China from the community college system were Mr. Bill McGurk, President and CEO of Rockville Bank and CT Community- Technical Colleges Board of Trustee member, and Ms. Qing Mack, Director of Institutional Research at Asnuntuck Community College.

The Memorandum of Understanding establishes an agreement to explore ways to promote cooperation between the two colleges including; for example, joint educational activities, venues for students from both institutions to communicate and connect with each other through technology and classroom projects, and visits by and exchange of teaching and administrative personnel.

Qingdao Vocational and Technical College is a national model college which is supported financially by the Central Government. Shi ZhongJian, Ph.D., President of QVTC, was honored as the first “Outstanding President in Vocational Education in China,” in August 2005. The college is composed of the International Cooperative School, Haier Household Appliance School and the Economic Management School and 12 other schools. At present, QVTC has 8,000 full-time residential students enrolled and 5,000 part-time non residential adult students.

Asnuntuck Community College and QVTC are similar in many ways. Both colleges offer associate degrees; prepare students for the workforce; partner with business and industry; and focus on teaching and learning. In addition, each one is growing rapidly and is balanced between technology and the arts.

Asnuntuck Community College will be offering a new course in January 2007 called Introduction to Chinese Culture, History and Language for 3 credits.
Topics in the course will include: Chinese traditions, modern development, and society (including social organization, institutions, groups, social roles and customs).  Samplings of Chinese arts (such as calligraphy, painting, music, dance and/or martial arts) will be introduced. A basic overview of introductory conversational Chinese language (with emphasis on a primary range of vocabulary necessary for general conversation) will be explored. The course is open to the public, high school students, and college students. The course will begin on Saturday, January 20 from 9:30 am- 12:30 pm. For more information, interested persons may call 860.253.3000.

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© 2007 Asnuntuck Community College
170 Elm Street Enfield, CT 06082
860.253.3000

Asnuntuck Community College is accredited by the Board of Governors for Higher Education and by the New England Association of Schools and College, Inc


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