A 4-member delegation led by Dr. Shigeru Shimane, Associate Administrative Director of Academic Affairs Division, Waseda University, Japan, had indicated their willingness to loan their satellite tele-communications system to TKU during their visit here (Feb. 25), 4:00 P.M.

This proposal was aimed at promoting the mutual distance teaching program in the future.

Actually, the vis-a-vis dialogue had explored 3 cooperation possibilities and they are 1 ) Network Teaching; 2 ) Japanese Teaching and 3 ) Brief Training Program for Mutual Exchange Students. As for Japanese Teaching, the duty will be shifted to both schools’ Extension Education Centers to handle.

Dr. Shigeru Shimane further mentioned that the expenditure involving the loan of satellite equipment can be executed through memos first, then highlighted by a contract signing. However, the attitude of TKU tends to adopt a “wait-and-see” policy.

As for Distance Teaching, it is also handicapped by the coordinating problem since a Japanese university would begin their spring semester in April; by then, TKU would be approaching Mid-term which will seriously affect setting up courses on both sides. As for Japanese Teaching, it also suffers from built-in problems. According

to Dr. Liu Chang-huei, Chair, Department of Japanese, TKU, the problem lies in the conflict of semester system as well as credit distribution. But Dr. Feng Chao-kang, V.P. for Academic Affairs, insists that we could start Distance Teaching program on experimental basis and that, as early as next semester.

The Waseda representatives mentioned that they have reached a tentative agreement with one of the famous manufacturers in Japan that at the discretion of their Extension Education Center they will compile and provide textbooks of English Teaching, Japanese Cultural History and Commercial/Business courses and with the promotion of a manufacture, subjects often regarded as the privileges of higher education institutions can be made accessible to the common people.

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