May.7,2013
Invited by the Institute of German studies and the Cultural Heritage Academe of ZJU, Prof. Erich Thies in philosophy and education from Humboldt University of Berlin, the former vice minister of Berlin education department, the former secretary-general of German joint conference of ministry of culture, came to Zhejiang University recently. He hosted a seminar as guest professor at the Institute of German Studies on “German Contemporary Political System” for our German-major students. On Apr. 27th, he delivered a 2-hour speech on German educational system for these students as well.
Prof. Thies firstly introduced German higher educational system and the double-track system on vocational education with his academic research and working experience. According to his introduction, German higher educational system is blessed with high quality, which stays ahead in the world. With the idea of integrating education with research insisted by Humboldt University, German higher education has a complete training mode, laying emphasis on students’ individual thinking ability, which can be learned by China.
Prof. Thies also discussed the difference on training mode between China and Germany. From the discussion, we can learn that Prof. Thies has a deep understanding on Chinese higher education situation. He explained the cause of the difference and pointed out the problems in Chinese higher education. He thought that, a complete vocational education can ease the pressure on academic universities and provide more choices and development space for the students. Now, China’s problem is that the enterprises have not had a sense of cultivating reserves and parents still have prejudice on vocational education.
Then, Prof. Thies introduced German primary and secondary schooling system and its current situation. He also mentioned that Germany is now trying to admit the handicapped children to the normal school, providing them with a chance to study and live with normal children, in order to ensure their rights to enjoy normal education and promote the social harmony.
From this informative report, students have learned the details and the newest information about German educational system, which has enriched their knowledge about Germany and expanded their cross-cultural view.
Besides, as an expert on culture relics, Prof. Thies also attended the international scientific seminar on “The University Museum and its Future in China”, which was hosted by the Archeology and Art Museum of ZJU (preparing).
(Translated by WEI Chunyu)
