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Shandong University introduced the first online video course in China on international climate change. Sixteen students were selected from 600 applicants to discuss climate issues with experts and foreign students.
The course is co-organized by the US Department of State and four international universities: Shandong University (China), Faculdade de Jaguariúna (Brazil), University of Jammu (India) and East Carolina University (US). The course will be taught by an international team of experts. Carolina University will host the 15-week course.
"We were worried that the number of applicants might be negatively affected by this, because the class period (15-week) will leave the students with less time to enjoy the Spring Festival. Surprisingly, 600 students applied for the course. It really shocked me", said Mei Qiang, an instructor at Shandong University.
The interdisciplinary course will explore the science and effects of climate change, as well as policies designed to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The online course will rely on video-conferencing, virtual classrooms, online chat rooms and other technologies to engage students in cross-cultural communication.
"Everyone should take an active part in the discussion of international climate change. We don’t want to make the scenes in 2012 come true", said Sun Tingting, one of the students selected to take the new course.
By Zhan Ruiwan (China Daily Shandong Bureau)
Editor: Li Jing