College Record 2013

In trying to develop creativity in education in China, it may be helpful to think
about the Chinese view of self-fulfilment – an expression of one’s personal creativity
within a harmonious context. Creativity is important in all aspects of pedagogy and
research, from science to the arts, from social science to business. It is not confined
to the arts; in all disciplines we wrestle with our imagination to produce ideas
that are better and more beautiful than before. In China, as in other countries, the
creative industries include advertising, architecture, arts, antiques, computer and
video games, crafts, design, designer fashion, film and video, music, performing
arts, publishing, software, TV and radio. The creative economy is not just another
sector alongside agriculture, manufacturing and services, but a transformation of
all sectors. It transforms the ways in which all organisations acquire, use and trade
ideas, resulting in a ‘creative ecology’ based on groups of people in high-energy
environments.
Educational programmes in the creative industries need to balance the teaching of
technological skills and thinking skills, critical and creative thinking. Reworking
that balance in China may help in developing the highly qualified men and women
who are currently lacking. In my view there is no better way of developing cultural
awareness about China than reading the four Chinese literary classics (see below),
which provide an altogether modern insight into Chinese culture and the way in
which the Chinese treat each other.
Immersing oneself in Chinese culture has many benefits, not just in developing
teaching and learning, but also in collaborative research. My own links with
Fudan University in Shanghai since 2007 have resulted in four joint peer-reviewed
research papers in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA and other
well respected journals. This year with colleagues from Fudan I visited rainforests
and coral reefs in and around Hainan island, the southernmost province of China,
and I look forward to further collaboration in the future.
As we continue to work with China on all aspects of higher education, we need to
understand each other as much as possible. Exchange is of paramount importance,
and social contact outside educational institutions will foster mutual understanding
and respect.
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