April 4, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
Ivy Tech hosting Chinese visitors; photo exhibit to be displayed
By By Randy Proffit-
The faculty members visiting in Columbus are Zhou Jin Lin, director of the institute of higher vocational education (pre-engineering); Zhu Bei Kang, vice director of the further education school (continuing education); Jiang Wei, director assistant of the cultural and creativity school; and Zhao Zhen Rong, professional teacher of the Sino-German electromechanical school (Siemens AG). The primary purposes of their visit are to deepen relationships between the two colleges, to compare curricula and teaching methodology, and to expand opportunities for Ivy Tech students and faculty.
During their month-long visit, the Chinese faculty members will become familiar with American culture through such events as tours of Columbus and Indianapolis, a visit to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and dinners with American colleagues. They will observe and participate in academic and training classes and get to know the Ivy Tech students, faculty, and staff. They will also present their culture and educational system to Ivy Tech faculty, staff, and students during guest lectures within classes and workshops on campus.
"Deeper knowledge and understanding of another culture broadens the international awareness of our students, faculty, and staff, through which we will be able to better prepare our students for success in a global marketplace," said Erin Lehman, assistant chair of English, Ivy Tech Globalization Committee member, and 2013 Wuxi Faculty Exchange participant.
The School of Fine Arts & Design at Ivy Tech Community College Columbus will present an exhibit of the photography of Jiang Wei, titled Jiangsu to Tibet: The Summer Trek of Jiang Wei. The exhibit will run through February 14. It includes a collection of photos taken during the summer of 2014, when Jiang Wei ventured from Wuxi, China, in the eastern part of the country, through southern and western China to various areas of Tibet. The trip covered over 5,000 miles.
The public is invited to a gallery reception for the artist, which will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, at the Gallery of Fine Arts & Design at Ivy Tech Columbus, in Poling Hall, 4475 Central Avenue. Jiang Wei will hold a conversation with the community at 6 p.m. that evening.
Jiang Wei is the director assistant of the School of Culture & Creativity at the Wuxi Professional & Technical College in Wuxi, China, the sister college of Ivy Tech. Jiang Wei will be visiting Columbus in January and February as part of the college faculty exchange program.
The exhibit explores the vibrancy of culture, terraces, people, and customs of China. The large color photographs display the richness of the red monastic robes of dancing Buddhist monks; the Yuan Yang terraces in southern Yunnan province; the mystery of the Fuxian Lake, in which an ancient city ruin was discovered; Lijiang City, built in the early Yuan dynasty, more than 800 years ago; the Potala Palace, originally built for celebrating the marriage between the prince and princess Wencheng from inner China and subsequently reconstructed as the winter residence of the Dalai Lama.
Wuxi, China, is 80 miles from Shanghai on Tai Lake and has a population of over four million; it is one of China's top 50 cities, nicknamed "Little Shanghai" for its growing economy. Cummins Inc. has key production bases in Wuxi. The sister agreement with the Wuxi Professional College of Science and Technology furthers one of Ivy Tech's primary strategies - to ensure that Indiana's citizens, workforce, and businesses are globally competitive.[[In-content Ad]]
