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EdCast

Higher Education in China

The state of higher education in China is constantly evolving. Once dominated by public universities, the overwhelming demand for higher education in the country — with which public universities cannot keep up — has led to the emergence of privately funded institutions. In fact, over 320 private universities have now been established in China, many of which began with affiliations to larger public universities. This, says Judy Lam, chancellor and board director at Wuhan College in Hubei Province, is "very smart policy."

Permitting private institutions "allows Chinese leadership to increase the percentage of eligible youngsters going to college," Lam says. "In addition, it doesn't increase the subsidy that the government will have to give to public universites, so this is, of course, the trend for many private colleges and universities that have sprung up."

In this edition of the Harvard EdCast, Lam reflects on the state of public and private higher education in China, and considers the role of philanthropy.

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The Harvard EdCast is a weekly series of podcasts, available on the Harvard University iTunes U page, that features a 15-20 minute conversation with thought leaders in the field of education from across the country and around the world. Hosted by Matt Weber, the Harvard EdCast is a space for educational discourse and openness, focusing on the myriad issues and current events related to the field.

EdCast

An education podcast that keeps the focus simple: what makes a difference for learners, educators, parents, and communities

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