The China-U.S. "Training, Exchange and Research" Conference on Distance Education was held in Nanjing from September 16th to 18th, 2011. It was hosted by China Youth Center for International Exchange, and jointly sponsored by the Chinese University Distance Education Committee of China Educational Technology Association, Educational Reform Committee of China Adult Education Association and the Open University of China, and undertaken by Jiangsu Radio and TV University. Yan Xueqian, Deputy Director of China Youth Center for International Exchange; Dr. Susan Aldridge from the University of Maryland University College; Zhang Shaogang, Vice President of the Open University

of China and Director of Chinese University Distance Education Committee of China Educational Technology Association; Sun Luyi, former president of the Open University of China; Peng Kunming, Secretary of the Party Committee; and President Tang Jintu of Jiangsu Radio and TV University were all present in the conference. Nearly 200 experts and scholars attended the conference, from universities in the United States such as University of Maryland University College, University of New England, Oregon State University, Northern Virginia Community College, Brandman University and American Public University, as well as from the Open University of China, other radio and TV universities around the country, and adult education and online colleges from conventional universities in China.

This was the fifth China-U.S. Conference on Distance Education since 2005. The previous sessions were held successively in Beijing (China), Troy (U.S.), Zhejiang (China) and Maryland (U.S.). For China and the United States, the conference is a distinguished gathering of professionals in distance education and a model of international exchange and cooperation in the field. It facilitates mutual learning and shared development between the two countries, building up a bridge of understanding and friendship and contributing to the development of distance education on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.

China-U.S. "Training, Exchange and Research" Conference on Distance Education held in Nanjing, China

Nearly 200 experts and scholars from China and the U.S.attend the conference

Zhang Shaogang delivers keynote speech

During the conference, Dr. Susan Aldridge, Mr. Zhang Shaogang and Professor Peng Kunming gave keynote speeches entitled "Building a World Class Teaching University", "Gaining New Insights by Reviewing the Past: Expectation on the Distance Education Development" and "Innovative Thinking, Value Revolution and Culture Awareness in the Development of Distance Education" respectively. Centering on the theme of "Distance Education for Lifelong Learning: The Development of the Knowledge Society", experts and scholars from both countries participated in topical seminars on the six topics of "Distance Education for Special Groups", "Teaching and Learning in Distance Education", "Sustainable Professional Development and Quality in Distance Education", "Sharing in Distance Education: Open content, Open Educational Resources, Open source, etc.", "The Role of Distance Education in Expanding and Developing the Knowledge Society" and "Emerging Technologies in Distance Education".

The conference showcased the latest trends in distance education in the areas of societal development, education innovation, technology application, teaching reform and sustainable learning, and was highly successful in achieving its mission of training, exchange and research in distance education.

Jin Lixia, Jiang Su Radio and TV University