By Kenney Kost/ne news editor

A district director and NE Campus president will be part of a group visiting China and Japan to discuss a partnership with various colleges in the two countries.

The purpose of the visit, as stated in an outline from the office of NE Campus president Larry Darlage, is a follow-up to the May visit by a Chinese delegation.

“They were here to learn about our college process,” said Shawna Gaccetta, an administrative office assistant in the May Owen Center. “We are going to look at their process and collaborate ideas on a range of subjects.”

The group, headed by director of program development and international initiatives Sheryl Harris, will look into exchange student and study abroad opportunities, professional development and short studies programs, collaborative program development models and curriculum discussions and methodologies via distance learning.

TCC is currently involved in the Vocational Education Leadership Training program in an effort to increase the number of American students studying in China as per President Barack Obama’s 100,000 Strong Initiative. VELT encourages its member colleges to meet the challenge of building a group of Americans knowledgeable about different cultures, history and language. Currently, China has committed to 10,000 Bridge Scholarships for American students to study in China.

The group will also explore the possibilities of working collaboratively on future grant initiatives with China and Japan.