Transformation Of The Continuing Education In Higher Learning Institutions In China

Continuing education is an educational activity which faces all members of society after school education, mainly adult education. And continuing education is an important foundation and pillar for building a system of lifelong education and learning society. For decades continuing education in higher learning institutions in China has made great contribution to achieving the popularization of higher education, building the country into a power of human resources, speeding up the economic growth and constructing a learning-oriented society-and lifelong education system. At present, continuing education in higher learning institutions in China is in a new period of historical opportunity and transformation. Based on the development of continuing education in recent years, this paper focuses on "the transformation of continuing education in higher learning institutions in China", trying to state the questions that regarding what this transformation is or, how it will develop and the end point of this transformation in the future, exploring the road for the future development of continuing education in higher learning institutions in China. This paper includes seven chapters, structured as below:Chapter one describes the research background and significance, clarifying some concepts such as the transformation of continuing education in higher learning institutions in China and it makes clear the status of research in China and abroad, elaborating on the approach, research guideline, methodology and potential areas for innovation of the research. Chapter two focuses on illustrating the theoretical basis of this study and the impact of the theory of social transformation, lifelong education and human capital on continuing education in higher learning institutions in China. Chapter three reviews the history of the transformation of continuing education in higher learning institutions in China. This chapter dissects the driving and resistant forces of the development of continuing education in higher learning institutions in China and analyzes the opportunities and challenges comprehensively. Chapter four summarizes the experience of other countries and raises the implications for indigenous transformation of continuing education after comparing the featured experience from Germany, USA, Japan, South Korea, and UK. Chapter five is the major feature of the paper. This chapter comprehensively summarizes the problems and implications in Northeastern University’s continuing education, based on the advantage of the author’s experience in continuing education, with extensive empirical research and fact-based materials. Meanwhile, from macroscopic to microcosmic, this chapter points out the existing problems and reasons for the transformation of the continuing education in higher learning institutions in China. Chapter six is the focal point and slant of this paper. It proposes an accessible goal for continuing education transformation in higher learning institutions in China, and creates a system transformation mode with three dimensions including theory, institutions and qualification assessment guarantee. It has been specifically analyzed in the chapter the practical methods applied to the transformation from aspects of security system, strategic adjustment, integration, market-based strategies, innovative consciousness, and qualification. The seventh chapter is the conclusion.