By Kenney Kost/editor-in-chief
A delegation from China’s Guiyang Vocational and Technical College took the next step in opening a study abroad network when they visited TCC Nov. 7.
TCC sent a delegation to Guiyang in October 2012 to lay the groundwork for the program. The purpose of this visit by the Chinese delegation is to move the plan forward with the signing of a memorandum of understanding, which formalizes the relationship, said TCC’s director of program development and international initiatives Sheryl Harris.
Each campus’ president presented the members of the delegation with a small gift, a Chinese tradition, at a luncheon on TR Campus, and the delegation visited each campus to look at various programs, Harris said.
“They are looking at different programs that they may be developing for their campuses,” said NE assistant professor of child development Pati Cates. “We have a hands-on laboratory, and they want to see how we do things.”
The delegation visited programs from each campus including NW’s aviation program and firing range, TRE’s smart hospital, South’s automotive technology program, SE’s culinary arts program and NE’s early childhood development and dental hygiene programs, Harris said.
SE culinary arts instructor Sherry Sipho said the delegation wanted to look at her program’s kitchens and classrooms.
“They want to see how what programs and certificates we offer and what career paths are available for our students,” Sipho said.
Sipho said each side has something to gain from a partnership such as this one.
“We both have something different to bring to the table,” she said. “And learning from different cultures can only enhance a student’s learning experience.”
