West Liberty University has announced an alliance with Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU) in China, which will allow students from each school to study at the other.

During the 2010-11 academic school year, WLU education majors will have the chance to travel to ZJNU for a two-week study tour of the local public schools. In addition, a contract has been established between ZJNU and WLU for up to 20 ZJNU students to study at WLU beginning in the fall 2011 semester.

“WLU is now the only institute in the world to have an alliance at ZJNU. This will allow our students to have an international field experience with the university and its local public schools,” explains WLU Education Professor Dr. Ann Gaudino.

The alliance with ZJNU is part of the International Center for Teacher Excellence (ICTE) which Gaudino founded in February.  The goal of this network is to provide a forum for the discussion and study of the best practices in education throughout the world.

In addition to the alliance in China, Gaudino has formed alliances in Kenya, Italy, France, and with the Department of Defense Schools worldwide.  Through these alliances, WLU education majors will be able to observe and teach K-12 public school students throughout the world.  Other teaching experiences are being planned in Strasbourg, France and Heidelberg, Germany.

For more information, please contact Dr. Ann Gaudino at 304-336-8306 or agaudino@westliberty.edu.