1 Presentation For The Opening Conference for the ASEM Education and Research HUB for Lifelong Learning By Dou Xianjin Director of Lifelong education The National Center For Education Development Research Ministry of Education P.R.China

2 Structure of Presentation The Introduction of National center for education development research and the related lifelong learning project The challenge and opportunity for establishing an effective lifelong learning system

3 The Introduction of National center for education development research and the related lifelong learning project Established in 1986 with the approval of the State Council to meet the needs of China’s educational development and reform, the National Center for Education Development Research(NCEDR) is a national advisory institution devoted to strengthening macro educational policy-related research and policy-making consultancy. NCEDR is led by Ministry of Education and focuses on research in macro educational strategy and in major policy-making of reform and educational system, conducts research and comparative study,etc.

4 NCEDR has an authorized size of 35 full- time staff members and 40 part-time research fellows. Lifelong learning lab is one of important division of NCEDR. The main function is committed to research related to the lifelong learning.

5 We are carrying out various policy-oriented study related to the fields of lifelong education,for example, a research of establishing a learning system and building a learning society sponsored by National Philosophy and Social Science Foundation, a research project sponsored by WB- -Training and Employment in China: An Assessment of Life-Long Learning from the Viewpoints of Employers and Workers in Urban Areas. We are participating in the research of education development strategy toward One of an important aspect is reflecting the demands of lifelong learning system.

6 We organized an international lifelong forum with WB. We carried out a series of research project, for example, vocational qualification system, training programs for lifelong professionals.

7 Lifelong Learning System in China School Education Education in enterprises Regular/VTE Adult education Distance Education Pre/in/trans service training Continuing education Library Museum Science Expo/museum Public media Community education Continuing education Education in community Net or E-learning

8 The challenges of establishing an effective lifelong learning system Fragmentation and Lack of coordination of lifelong learning system, many ministries involved different parts of lifelong system, the policy and standard of skill are different. Needs for a more integrated and coordinated access,needs system that allows for multiple providers and multiple pathways to different levels of education and skills. Great needs, Limited Finance,needs new governance. Government pay much attention to the formal education and cannot afford to finance lifelong system.

9 Poor Demand Supply links of education and training to the labor market, Mismatch between skills supplied and needs of market; poor information on career options, income streams, quality of different providers. Needs for massive upgrading of skills, we require innovative ways to reduce skills gaps of employees so as to escape unemployment. Need to improve quality and content continuously, need to improve assessments, need to reform curriculum and teaching pedagogies, quality at all level are low and cannot reflect the person’s practical skills.

10 Needs for accreditation, vocational qualification and certification, need better accreditation of education and training providers, need effective system for assessing and certifying vocational qualification. Need to expand the potential of ICT. Need for a new role of Government/Private Sector in lifelong learning system, Government’s role is architect and coordinator, such as legislation, regulation and standards, quality assurance, equity, finance, information on the needs of dynamic and rapidly growing system quality of different education and training, qualification and competences of people.

11 The future policy direction and tasks: Continue research of establishing the infrastructure for lifelong learning; Improve the roles of stakeholders, encourage the Government’s roles from planner, provider to coordinator, facilitator. Invest to lifelong learning of the vulnerable groups. Establishing vocational qualification system continuously and improve HRD. Expand cooperation with the related international institutions

12 In order to meet the demands of market economy and establish lifelong learning system, we should encourage the development of specialized intermediary institution to satisfy the needs of market, substituting for the market-basic education, regulating the market-standards, accreditation, certification to reflect the individual’s knowledge,skill and attitude scientifically, complementing the market-grants for equity, special education,developing the market-oriented learning loans, finance, information service.

13 conclusion Developing a lifelong learning system in China in the 21th century will be the greatest innovation throughout the Chinese education history. In order to achieve this goal, we have to study, to practice and to explore constantly. I believe the world of education in china will definitely be inspired and benefited from international cooperation, especially in the process of participating in the ASEM education and research hub for lifelong learning in Danish University of Education!

14 Thank you all!