REPORT

Richard B. Rosecky, Ph.D.

Fall 2002 at Anhui University (Anda)

12/14/02

 

Introduction

 

            This was the third visit by me to Anhui University, Hefei, PR China.  It also was the best visit!  I have thoroughly enjoyed and learned from this semester in which I taught about 100 students.  I taught Management Information Systems to two undergraduate sections of students, one small group of graduate students in computer science, and Oral English to doctoral students from various parts of Anhui University.  I completely enjoyed the experience.  Further, I have made plans with the International Programs Office of Anhui University to return to Anhui University every year in July.

 

Arrival

 

            I arrived on Friday September 6, 2002.  The Director of International Programs Office,  Mr. Xu Ming met me at the airport and escorted me to my apartment.  The apartment was first class.  It was clean, well appointed (Air conditioned, TV, telephone, microwave oven, washing machine, new furniture, appropriate hot water availablitiy,  a first class modern desktop computer with printer and permanent connection to the world wide internet, and other amenities).  The following Monday, I met with Wang Jian (Julia) and Xu Ming to discuss my teaching responsibilities.  They asked me to teach ten hours a week, and offered to increase my "living allowance" accordingly.  I accepted their offer.

 

During the Semester

 

            I met each of my classes during the subsequent weeks. I taught the Accounting students in a modern classroom with multimedia computer capabilities.  I taught the Management students in a clean standard classroom.  I taught the Computer Science graduate students in a clean room that was equiped with computer facilities.  I taught the Oral English class in a smaller standard class room.

 

            I taught Management Information Systems using the "big" Laudon MIS textbook used at Towson University.  The teaching manual contained all the images, videos, and support that allowed me to create MSPowerPoint presentations.  Prior to each class, each student was given a photo copy of the presentation.  Thus, each student could hear me speak words, and see large images (from the computer projector), that would reinforce the words they could read.  I reinforced the textbook material from relevent material gathered from the internet.

 

            Initially (for the first month), I taught approximately forty students from the College of Business (Accounting majors).  However, after one month, approximately two thirds of the students withdrew from my class.  The remaining ten students stayed with me through to the end.  Because I judged them to be fairly elementary in their ability to understand English, I slowed the presentations down considerably.  The result was, I think, complete understanding by the ten.

 

            All of the students from the College of Management (Archiving) students stayed with me through to the end.  I administered two examinations to ascertain their learning.  I was completely pleased with their level of understanding.  I especially appreciate the friendship and applaud the competence of Fang Huihui, my class representative.

 

            Most of the Computer Science graduate students stayed with me to the end.  However, I learned after some time that these students already had a good understanding of the material.  So, I decided to change my content of teaching.  I subsequently introduced more reading material taken from the internet that discussed modern computer technology from the point of view of the computer user.  I  especially appreciate the friendship and applaud the competence of Dean Dr. Chen Junning,  Dr. Ke Daoming, and Mr. Zhao Haifeng.

 

            All of the doctoral students stayed with me to the end.  Because I had never taught Oral English, I decided that I would teach them how to make presentations to professional groups.  After an initial round of introductory and small speeches, each student was asked to prepare some sort of presentation about any subject in their field of interest.  They were asked to draw diagrams and charts on the blackboard.  And, the audience was asked to prepare questions for the speaker.  The speaker could then select two questions to answer.  It was a complete success!

 

Other Activities - English Corner

           

            Most every week, I visited the Anda "English Corner" that meets Friday evenings.  I met a large variety of students from Anda and from other colleges and universities located in Hefei.

 

            I also met most Sundays with the Hefei City English Corner located in GaoShan park.  Here, I met adults who desire to speak English.  I met a professor from the China University of Science and Technology.  Dr. Su Jin Rui continued to meet me Thursday noons for lunch.  She is a fine lady and gave me a perspective of a faculty member from another Chinese University.  I met Dr. Hu Hong (Andy), an Orthopedist and faculty member of the Anhui Medical College.  Andy is a professional and has become a friend of mine.  I met Mr. Liu,  who is responsible for the distribution of electricity in the city of Hefei.  I met Liu YuLing, a young "middle school" (high school) student.  She demonstrated the high level of foreign language ability that could be attained by a young student.  And, last, but certainly not least, I met Mr. Wang.   Mr. Wang and I discussed many ideas each Sunday.  He certainly is intelligent and we have conversed at long length.

 

Other Activities - Anda

 

            The International Programs Office (IPO) took us on an extended weekend visit to a beautiful lake, a mountain, and a very nice small city/village.  It is typical of the hospitality of the Anda IPO.  All expenses were paid.  I enjoyed myself.

 

            I was asked by the Graduate Student Association to give a presentation about graduate student life in the United States.  I arrived in the auditorium and was greeted by about two hundred students.  They all gave me a rousing welcome.  I shall never forget this meeting.  I spoke for about  one-half hour.  Then, I answered questions for about two hours.

 

            At the request of the International Programs Office, I visited a Primary School devoted to music in nearby Fei Xi city.  The young children had gathered in a big room and were very well behaved.  I had no idea what to say.  So, I talked about what people all over the world have in common … two eyes, two ears, a nose….   After a short talk, I was able to meet individually with the students.  I shall never forget one young girl.  I had asked just about all of the students (perhaps thirty) what their name was in English and in Chinese.  This shy little girl looked at me very intently.  I walked over to her.  I asked her what her name was.  No answer.  I asked again.  This time, she replied in a very faint whisper.  I was very touched.  I shall never forget this young child.

 

            At the request of Professor Ke Daoming of the Computer Science department and with the agreement of the International Programs Office, I visited an Elementary School in Hefei one Saturday morning.  I was greeted by about fifty students.  I, again, talked about what all people have in common.  Then, many of the students, in groups danced and sang for me.  Later, after I answered all of their question one by one.  I was presented with a kerchief of a Young Pioneer.  I was given a wonderful painting made by one of the students.  I could only think how fortunate I have been to meet these fine young people.  I shall never forget them.  I was seen on the Hefei evening news program and mentioned in the largest provincial newspaper!

 

            At the request of Anda's International Programs Office, I visited Xin Hua University, a non-public college in Hefei.  I met the president of their university and gave my "culture" speech to about three hundred students.  Following my talk, I answered questions for about 1 ½ hours. 

 

            I met with President Ye YiDe and Professor Luo Jue of Anhui Medical College to discuss the potential for cooperation between Towson University's School of Nursing, and the School of Nursing of Anhui Medical College.

 

Other Activities -Wanbo Institute

 

            When I arrived at Anda, I was soon contacted by Li Yongfang, the retired Anda professor with whom I wrote a published paper on comparative teaching.  She is now Dean of the Foreign Studies Faculty at Wanbo Institute of Science and Technology, a non-public three year college located in Hefei.  She invited me to speak to their English corner.  I spoke to about 200 hundred students. 

 

            Later Li YongFang and I conducted interviews with Wanbo President Yin with the purpose of writing a paper about modern nonpublic collegiate education in China.  I was able to gather considerable material about this subject and intend to complete a draft of this article during January of 2003.

 

            Near the end of November, I was asked by Wanbo Institute to judge an English speaking contest.

 

The BengBu YingKeSong Beer Company

 

            At Wanbo, and at Anda's English Corner, I met "Joanna" (Chen Juanjuan).  She became a fine friend to me.  She invited me to visit BengBu, a large city in Anhui Province.  She explained that her parents were quite strict and she could not invite me to visit her parents, but her roomate, "Sandy" (Cheng Xin), invited me to visit Sandy's parents in BengBu, a city in Anhui Province.  OK.  I accepted the invitation.  Sandy's father is the Medical Director for the BengBu YingKeSong Brewing Company.  Would I visit with some of the staff?  Sure.  I met the Vice Chairman, Ms. Qian Yu.  We discussed marketing.  The company, then, invited me to return to BengBu to present a lecture about marketing.  I did so and was seen on the BengBu evening news show.  I also suggested that they might export their beer to the US.   I have followed up this discussion and am actively pursuing the idea.

 

Possible Opportunities for Cooperation

 

            As a result of my many contacts with Anhui University personnel, five projects suggest themselves:

 

1) Zhao Haifeng, a Lecturer in Computer Science at Anhui University might be a good candidate for faculty exchange (visit) to Towson University.

 

2) I will explore the possibility that Ms. Jie Jiang will apply for admission to the Towson University Ed.D. program.

 

3) I will attempt to set up a 'web camera' in a Maryland elementary school (perhaps Hickory Elementary School nearby to where I live), and the College of Electronic Engineering and Information Science at Anhui University will attempt to equip a similar elementary school (where I visited) with similar equipment.  This will enable the students in the US to communicate to like students in Hefei (who speak excellent English) at a very low cost.

 

4) I will write a proposal based on my visit with the officials of the Anhui Medical College to suggest further cooperation (possibly with a dual degree program) in the respective schools of nursing at our two universities.

 

5) I will research the Maryland market to determine if there is consumer demand to justify the importation of YingKeSong beer made in Anhui Province.  If there is enough interest, I will act as sole import agent for the Anhui company.

 

 

Some Concluding Observations

 

            I applaud the fine friendship and cooperation exhibited by the International Programs Office of Anhui University.  Director Xu Ming and his staff have done a wonderful job in providing facilities and opportunities for me to teach.

 

            I also applaud the fine friendship and cooperation exhibited by Dean Chen Junning of the College of Electronic Engineering and Information Science.  Dean Chen and his staff were at all times interested in my success.  They have served as excellent examples for the other colleges to follow with respect to visiting faculty.

 

            I am happy to say that Professor Gao of the Foreign Languages department was a fine host to me.  I  was treated to a nice day at Hui Nan park.  It was an interesting and educational day for me.  Professor Gao was always careful to see that I was satisfied with conditions.

 

 

Departure

 

            Prior to my departure, I wrote letters to each of the appropriate Deans stating the hours that I taught, the content of the material presented, and my assessment (grades) for the students who attended my classes.

 

            Also prior to my departure, Dean Chen of Computer Science feted me with a fine dinner with all his staff and my students and gave me a great gift to take with me back home.  Professor Gao offered to meet me for a going away dinner, but my schedule did not allow it.  The Oral English class gave me a pleasing going away gift.  With a substantial contribution of my money, the Management class arranged for a rousing going away party for me.  On Friday 12/13, I met Professor Guan from the College of Business for about thirty minutes.   I received a nice can of green tea from him.

            On Friday 12/13. my students gave me a fine party.  A big ballroom was rented.  Professor Gao attended the fete with me.  Most of the doctoral students, all of the Management students, and the ending Business students attended.  It was a complete pleasure.

 

            On Sunday morning. December 15, 2002, before sunrise, Miss Wang Jian (Julia) from the IPO escorted me to the Hefei airport.  A wonderful experience was ending.  I very much look forward to my return to Anhui University and Hefei.

 

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

 

 

Richard B. Rosecky, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

College of Business and Economics

Towson University, Towson, MD 21252, USA.