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Abstract Researching into higher education on both sides of the Taiwan Strait (China and Taiwan), this study involves university administrative systems, budgets, leadership, teacher training, teaching methods and student diversity. To do systematic research and records, the author went across the Strait to East China Normal University in Shanghai to do action research to obtain the most authentic overview of higher education.
The main objects of the study are National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan and East China Normal University in Shanghai, China. Choosing the two schools as the main objects, This researching investigates, researches, and compares six aspects of higher education, including the overall state of the schools, administration and leadership systems, the differences in academic research, teaching, finances, and international exchange. Through interviews of students and teachers, and by using field observation journals, this study has formulated the following research topics:
1. The General Situations of the Schools ? Chapters four and five of this study include an introduction to the two schools and a detailed discussion of their current situations. Chapter six compares the two schools and discusses their differences.
2. The Differences in Administration Systems ? National Dong Hwa University employs a pyramid administrative system. The system includes five offices, for example the Office of Academic Affairs, the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of General Affairs, the Office of Research and Development, and the Office of International Affairs. The five offices are led by the president. The Accounting and Statistics Office and the Personnel Office are independent units. East China Normal University, on the other hand, employs a “Highest Office of School” system to manage the entire administration. The school is administratively autonomous, but is also controlled and directed by the China Communist Party. The introductions of the two schools clearly demonstrate a general view of their differences in administration.
3. The Differences in Academic Research ? This study has found the research methods of the two schools to differ widely. On the basic level, the writing methods and the format of papers are different. Additionally, Communist Party officials observe and intervene with teaching and research at East China Normal University. This is detrimental to university research and education. In comparison, Taiwanese university research and teaching are open and free, though Taiwanese writing formats are relatively restricted.
4. Teaching at the Two Schools ? Teaching at East China Normal University emphasizes the instructors. The curriculum of National Dong Hwa University, on the other hand, is centered on the students. The two schools are completely different in terms of teaching.
5. The Differences in Finances at the Two Schools ? National Dong Hwa University is relatively conservative in terms of the investment of university funds. Apart from tuition and fees, East China Normal University relies primarily on government aid, and secondarily on finance interest. East China Normal University, on the other hand, deals with its financial issues through a variety of self managed enterprises.
6. International Exchange of the Two Schools ? Chapter four illustrates that East China Normal University students are far more internationalized than National Dong Hwa University students. It also finds that East China Normal University has ten times more professors who have advanced their fields abroad in comparison to National Dong Hwa University. It is recommended that National Dong Hwa professors and students improve on internationalization efforts.
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