Top education officials from the Western Cape and the Shandong Province in the People's Republic of China signed an agreement to cooperate on a range of education projects today (Thursday, 25 January 2007).
Mr Ron Swartz, Head of Education in the Western Cape, and Mr Zhang Xingmin, Deputy Director-General of the Shandong Provincial Education Department, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective departments. The ceremony took place at Rustenburg Girls' High School in Rondebosch.
Mr Zhang led a delegation of five senior officials from Shandong who toured Garlandale Secondary School in Athlone and Rustenburg Girls prior to the signing ceremony.
The agreement forms part of a broader agreement signed Premier Ebrahim Rasool on behalf of the Western Cape and Mr Han Yunqun, Governor of Shandong Province, in July 2006. The agreement covers economic cooperation, trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, education, energy and medical care.
Mr Swartz said the Memorandum on Enhancing Education Cooperation signed yesterday is the first technical agreement flowing from the agreement signed last year.
"The agreement will provide important opportunities for young people to learn more about our respective cultures. We also hope to provide learning opportunities for teachers."
Key features of the agreement on education include the following:
The Shandong delegation comprised Mr Zhang Xingmin; Mr Zhang Shijun, Director, Shandong Provincial Education House; Mr Gao Lei, Deputy Director, Personnel Division; Mr Wu Jianhua, Deputy Director, Administration; and Mr Sun Zuxing, Deputy Director, Foreign Affairs, also of the Shandong Provincial Education Department. Representatives of the Chinese Consulate General at the ceremony were Mr Shi Weiqiang, Consul General, and Mr Cheng Jun, Consul Attaché.
Paddy Attwell
Director: Communication
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: +27-21-467-2531
Fax: +27-21-461-3694
Cell: +21-83-261-7699
Email: pattwell@pgwc.gov.za
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