U of M part of distance learning memorandum

U.S. and Chinese official gather for a photo. U of M's Robert Rubinyi is third from right, back row.

The signing was part of ADEC's annual meeting, scheduled April 21-23. The Chinese CABTS President, Zeng Yichun was joined by Jan Poley, ADEC president and CEO, to sign the memorandum of understanding and foster additional relationships for distance learning opportunities.

"This agreement will create enormous opportunities for the University of Minnesota and for all the land grant university members of ADEC," said Robert Rubinyi, Extension professor who helped create the CABTS relationship. "United States and Chinese faculty and staff will be able to work together on joint content development projects and educational research studies in both countries."

"A 1,000-mile journey begins with one step," said Zeng, explaining that this signing will lead to a long-lasting relationship between ADEC and CABTS.

About ADEC
ADEC is a non-profit distance education consortium composed of approximately 65 state universities and land-grant colleges. The consortium was conceived and developed to promote the creation and provision of high quality, economical distance education programs and services to diverse audiences, by the land grant community of colleges and universities, through the most appropriate information technologies available.

About CABTS

CABTS, is the largest distance education organization in the world, with a five level teaching and learning system that provides both teaching enhancement as well as direct information and education for farmers and rural residents in China. CABTS has 2509 training centers around China and 46,000 tutors stationed in townships and villages in agricultural production areas of the country.