EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: Troy University will host the U.S.-China Forum on Distance Learning April 9-11 on the Troy Campus.

A 20-member delegation from the national government, universities providing distance education, youth exchange programs and the China Central Radio and TV University from the People’s Republic of China will be attending this event. Boston University is co-hosting the Forum, and American universities from Washington, California, New York, Maryland, Florida and the Mid West will be participating, as well as vendors in the distance learning arena.

A news release has been issued announcing the Forum at http://www.troy.edu/news/archives/march2006/china.htm.

This event has several opportunities for coverage, including the international unveiling of Gov. Bob Riley’s ACCESS project that delivers distance education to Alabama high schools.

In order to facilitate your coverage of this event, please contact the University Relations Office with any special requests or to arrange specific interviews.

A partial schedule of activities follows:

Saturday, April 8

PRC Delegation arrives in Troy

Sunday, April 9

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.           PRC Delegation tours Troy Campus

6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Welcome Reception

Monday, April 10

8 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.        Forum Opening

• ·        Co-Chairs: Susan Aldridge (TROY/University of Maryland University College), Susan Kryczka (BU) and Yan Xueqian (China Youth Center for International Personnel Exchanges)
• ·        TROY Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr.
• ·        Alabama Gov. Bob Riley
• ·        Yu Yunxiu, chair of China Educational Technology Association and president of China Central Radio and TV University

9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.  Photo Session for co-chairs, VIPs, officials

10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.            Presentation of Papers

11:45 a.m. – 2 p.m.                  Vendor Show

2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.               Presentation of Papers

3 p.m. – 4 p.m.             State of Alabama presentations

• ·        Alabama Supercomputer Authority
• ·        Governor’s ACCESS Project for Education

Tuesday, April 11

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.             Presentation of Papers and Vendor’s Show/Lunch

1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.   General Session

• ·        Speaker:  Karl Engkvist, COO, Cernet-Blackboard Information Technology Company, Beijing, China
• ·        Speaker:  Dr. John Ebersole, president, Excelsior University, New York

3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.        Presentation of Papers

6:15 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.   Closing reception and dinner