In this Sept 2020 file photo, an alumnus from East China Normal University who works in Zunyi, Guizhou province, attends the launch ceremony of a program by the university, via video chat. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

East China Normal University has launched a program to help its alumni who work in the education field to achieve their "dreams".

Through the program, the faculty will broaden the minds of teachers and take a long-term view of teaching and learning, optimizing educational approaches and course structures to better suit the real teaching environment that our students may face in the future.

 Zhou Bin, dean of the college of teacher education at East China Normal University

The program, initiated this month, with its first phase set to last for 10 years, involves collecting the goals of the university's alumni regarding the development of educational initiatives in China. The theme around which these goals will be centered will change every year.

This year, the theme centers on poverty alleviation through the development of the education sector in remote regions in central and western China. According to the university, 70 "dreams" will be selected for implementation by mid-October.

"As a university committed to nurturing teachers, we hope to tackle obstacles that our alumni are facing in education, ahead of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the university next year," says Zhou Bin, dean of the college of teacher education at the university.

To be a part of the new initiative, applicants must submit their action plans to the university. The university noted that each plan should have practical goals that can be achieved within three years.

Twenty-two experts from the university and alumni working in the education sector will be responsible for helping to bring these plans to fruition. Among them are Yuan Zhenguo, professor of the university's faculty of education department, and Li Zhicong, headmaster of the No 2 High School of East China Normal University.

Teachers and students will also volunteer for the program by offering administrative services and helping with coordination tasks.

"Through the program, the faculty will broaden the minds of teachers and take a long-term view of teaching and learning, optimizing educational approaches and course structures to better suit the real teaching environment that our students may face in the future," says Zhou.

He points out that while the infrastructure of schools in remote areas can generally meet the needs of basic education, there is still a lack of "soft power", referring to educational ideas and resources.

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This is the case for Wu Chaowen, a Chinese teacher at the junior middle school of Yangjie town, in Xundian county, Kunming, Yunnan province.

"I've noticed that the essays that many students write are usually dry and dull, even if they are given a subject that is relatable," said Wu at the launch ceremony.

"Like other local teachers, I am aware of the problem, but I am struggling to change the situation. We need assistance from the university."

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Zhou says that such a challenge could be addressed by improving the skills of teachers.

"We could make a master's degree for Chinese language education available to teachers like Wu. We can encourage the school to form a research team and have a professor from our university become their mentor," says Zhou, who also suggests that an interest group can be set up to discuss essay writing teaching methods at the school, "where graduate students from our university can volunteer to assist".

"This case shows why we have formed teams comprising experts and practitioners who excel in various domains, such as psychology, music and teacher education, to motivate and help local teachers."