TROY – The president of the Chinese Educational Technology Association and president of the China Radio and Television University will lead a delegation of Chinese distance-learning educators and government officials to Alabama next April when Troy University hosts the 2006 U.S.-China Forum on Distance Education.

Ms. Yu Yunxiu will bring members of a working group that are attempting to expand China ’s distance-learning capabilities and build an infrastructure to support education throughout China . Troy University , which operates four campuses in Alabama and 62 campuses worldwide, was invited to the first forum in China to discuss quality assurances in a distance learning environment. The Chinese government is developing standards for quality of on-line programs. Both Troy University and Boston University were invited to Beijing in June to present their work.

According to Dr. Susan Aldridge, vice chancellor for University College and eCampus, TROY will co-sponsor the delegation of Chinese Distance Learning Educators with Boston University .

“This is an important development in U.S. – China educational relations and we’re honored by the opportunity to host this conference,” she said.

Aldridge said the exact location of the forum – whether on the Troy campus or the Montgomery campus – will be determined after an organizational team from China visits Troy in October. American universities, involved in distance learning, as well as vendors of various products and services for on-line courses, will be invited to participate in this first forum, she said.

Troy University , and other American universities, have substantial investments in designing quality courses with maximum student to professor interaction, streaming video and audio into courses, and simulation models. China has designed engineering projects, remotely controlled via the internet.

“We believe that hosting the 2006 U.S. – China Forum on Distance Education will promote the exchanges and cooperation of distance education between China and the U.S. ,” said Yan Xuequian, deputy director of the China Youth Center for International Personnel Exchanges. “It will also help [ Troy University ] explore a good beginning and lay a solid foundation for the future international exchange programs in China .”